Apple just launched the first iOS 18.4 beta. Joining new Apple Intelligence languages, a Food section for News+ subscribers, and an Apple Vision Pro app on iPhone, the update also adds new Ambient Music controls that can be used in Control Center, on your Lock Screen, and more.
New controls trigger Apple Music playlists of your choice
Last fall, Apple made big changes to Control Center in iOS 18 that unlocked a host of new possibilities for customization and power.
Since then, iOS updates have regularly brought support for new types of controls to choose from.
In the iOS 18.4 beta, there are four new options belonging to a new Ambient Music category:
- Chill
- Productivity
- Sleep
- Wellbeing
These controls can be added to Control Center, assigned to your iPhone’s Action Button, or go on the Lock Screen as a replacement for the flashlight or camera buttons.
Each control is set to trigger a specific playlist, but you can customize them to your liking.
For example, the Productivity control by default plays a BEATstrumentals playlist. But if you long-press it to edit, you can also choose from Binaural Frequencies, Pure Focus, Classical Concentration, or choose any other playlist from your library.
These new controls provide a quick way to kick off playlists that fit a given mood. And for me personally, I expect to use them a lot in the future.
Are you interested in the new Ambient Music feature? Let us know in the comments.
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