Apple Inc. today released iOS 11.4, the latest update to its mobile operating system with a range of new features, with support for AirPlay 2 and Messages on iCloud leading the list.

The AirPlay 2 update delivers multispeaker and multiroom support for Apple’s struggling HomePod smart home speakers that allows the devices to be used in stereo pairs. The update introduces the “most advanced, easy to use, wireless multiroom audio system using AirPlay 2 to play music in any room from any room, move music from one room to another or play the same song everywhere using an iOS device, HomePod, Apple TV or by asking Siri,” Apple said in a statement.

Cloud support gets attention in the release, with Apple launching Messages on iCloud, a new service that backs up messages from iMessage and SMS for better syncing between devices. The service goes further, syncing deleted messages and threads across iCloud devices, enabling the storage of attachments on the given iOS device and backups of older messages to save on local storage as well. In perhaps the handiest feature, the service allows for old messages to be synced to new Apple devices.

Along with the addition of support for AirPlay 2, Siri also gets some additional features in the release, ahead of what could be a major announcement relating to Siri’s conversational artificial intelligence abilities next week. Siri now allows HomePod owners to query schedules when an iPhone is paired to the device as well as add new meetings and events.

iOS 11.4 has also seen the addition of support for Apple’s ClassKit framework, enabling developers to make their educational apps function with Apple’s Schoolwork app.

Although the support for AirPlay 2 in iOS 11.4 is a welcomed step forward for Apple users and the company’s attempts to build a music sharing ecosystem, the new features are mostly underwhelming, intentionally so: Apple is holding back the big announcements for its Worldwide Developers Conference starting June 4.

Photo: wfryer/Flickr