Hands-On Mac 177: Control Center Updates in iOS 18.4

Podcast: All TWiT.tv Shows (Audio)
Host: Micah Sargent
Release Date: April 10, 2025

Introduction

In the Hands-On Mac episode 177, Micah Sargent delves into the latest updates introduced to the Control Center in iOS 18.4. This comprehensive update brings a suite of new features and enhancements designed to streamline user interaction and expand functionality. Micah provides an in-depth walkthrough of these changes, offering valuable insights for both casual users and tech enthusiasts.

Enhanced Control Center Navigation

One of the standout features in iOS 18.4 is the revamped navigation within the Control Center. Micah explains:

“[03:15] Micah Sargent: The first thing that you'll notice is that tapping and holding allows me to choose between the different portions of Control Center. So that is of course a new feature in iOS 18.”

This gesture-based navigation enables users to seamlessly switch between various Control Center categories by simply holding and moving their finger vertically. The categories include:

1. Favorites
2. Leftovers – Additional controls users wish to include.
3. Media Controls
4. Home Control
5. Connectivity – Managing cellular and wireless connections.

Resizable Controls (“Macaroni Noodles”)

iOS 18.4 introduces resizable controls within the Control Center, affectionately termed “macaroni noodles” by Micah. These icons can be adjusted in size to provide more or less functionality based on user preference.

“[05:20] Micah Sargent: Many of these controls have a little sort of macaroni noodle in the bottom right-hand corner. That means that those controls can be resized... you can make these controls a little bit more robust or give you more access to them.”

Users can switch controls from small icons to larger rounded rectangles, enhancing accessibility and ease of use.

Ambient Music Integration

A significant addition in iOS 18.4 is the Ambient Music feature, which allows users to play background music tailored to different activities such as sleep, chill, productivity, and well-being.

“[08:45] Micah Sargent: The first new segment that's been added is Ambient MUSIC... It will play ambient music, specifically the sleep category.”

This integration with Apple Music ensures that the music plays subtly in the background without disrupting the user’s focus. Users can easily control this feature by pausing it through the media controls.

Apple Intelligence and Siri Enhancements

Apple Intelligence and Siri receive notable upgrades, expanding the voice and visual interaction capabilities within the Control Center.

“[10:10] Micah Sargent: You always had the ability here to toggle on or off type to Siri, but now talk to Siri and Visual Intelligence have been added.”

Key Enhancements:

• Talk to Siri: Allows users to interact with Siri using voice commands instead of typing.
• Visual Intelligence: Available on compatible iPhones (iPhone 16, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 16E), this feature utilizes the camera to understand the environment, enabling functionalities like data detection from posters to create calendar invites.

Third-Party App Integrations

iOS 18.4 expands the Control Center’s versatility by allowing third-party apps to add their controls. Micah showcases several integrations:

“[09:50] Micah Sargent: Developers can add little shortcuts essentially to their apps that give you the ability to interact from Control Center.”

Examples of Third-Party Integrations:

• Claude: Analyze photos directly from Control Center.
• Instagram & Snapchat: Quick access to capture modes.
• ChatGPT: Open ChatGPT and ChatGPT Voice.
• Other Apps: Carrot (weather and maps), DuckDuckGo, Halide, Home Assistant, Omnifocus, Perplexity, and more.

These integrations allow users to perform app-specific actions swiftly without navigating away from the Control Center.

New Utilities: Print Center Tool

Beyond media and control enhancements, iOS 18.4 introduces the Print Center tool within the Utilities section of the Control Center.

“[10:50] Micah Sargent: There's also the Print center tool which gives you the ability to check your print and see if you've done any air printing lately...”

This tool provides real-time updates on print jobs, including their status and locations, simplifying the management of printing tasks.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Micah concludes the episode by reiterating the breadth of enhancements in iOS 18.4’s Control Center, emphasizing its increased customization, expanded functionalities, and deeper integrations with both Apple’s ecosystem and third-party applications.

“[11:00] Micah Sargent: So that is a look at some of the new additions to control center in iOS 18.4 by way of Ambient music and Apple Intelligence and Siri controls...”

He encourages listeners to explore these new features to enhance their device experience and invites questions and interactions through his platform, micahit TV.

Key Takeaways:

• Improved Navigation: Enhanced gesture controls for switching between Control Center sections.
• Customizable Controls: Resizable icons and the ability to add or rearrange controls.
• Ambient Music: Background music tailored to specific activities integrated with Apple Music.
• Siri Enhancements: Voice and visual intelligence capabilities for more intuitive interactions.
• Third-Party Integrations: Expanded functionality through app-specific controls.
• New Utilities: Introduction of the Print Center tool for managing print jobs.

iOS 18.4’s Control Center updates reflect Apple’s commitment to enhancing user experience through increased customization, expanded functionality, and seamless integration with both native and third-party applications.