Apple today seeded the first betas of its upcoming iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2 updates to developers for testing. The iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1 updates are due to be released to the public next week, so it’s time to begin testing the next updates.
Today’s beta seeds include features from the next phase of Apple Intelligence, which includes new Siri features, Image Playground, Genmoji, and more.
The following Apple Intelligence features are included in today’s betas:
Siri ChatGPT Integration
Siri can now integrate with ChatGPT for certain requests, but only with approval by the user. If Siri cannot supply an answer to a query, it will hand the request over to ChatGPT and then provide the ChatGPT reply.
ChatGPT can be used to create content from scratch, including text and images. A ChatGPT account is not required for the integration, and neither Apple nor OpenAI store your requests.
Image Playground
Apple’s image generation app, Image Playground, can create images based on prompts you provide. Enter a description of what you want, or you can use the built-in suggestions and concepts provided by Apple, including costumes, locations, items, and more to add to an image. The concepts are intelligent and can draw inspiration from a Messages thread or entries in the Notes app.
Options include the ability to create character that resemble family and friends and selecting a photo to use as inspiration for an image. A preview history allows you to undo a change and go back to a prior version.
While Image Playground is a standalone app, it is also integrated into Messages. Image Playground does not create photorealistic images and is limited to animation or illustration styles.
Image Wand
Image Wand is an Image Playground-related feature that’s available in the Notes app on the iPad. You simply draw a rough sketch with the Apple Pencil or circle a blank space or a key phrase in a note to have Image Wand generate an appropriate image.
Genmoji
Genmoji are custom emoji characters that can be created based on descriptions and phrases. They can be based on friends and family, by using data pulled from the People album in Photos. Characters can also be created using basic elements, and you’ll get multiple Genmoji suggestions to choose from. You can also create Genmoji using the emoji keyboard.
Genmoji are currently limited to the iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2 betas at the moment, but will be coming to macOS Sequoia at a later time.
Visual Intelligence
iPhone 16 users that install the iOS 18.2 beta will find they have access to Visual Intelligence, which provides information about your surroundings. For example, opening the Camera app and pointing the iPhone at a restaurant will display hours of operation and reviews.
Other Visual Intelligence features include reading text out loud, detecting phone numbers and addresses to add them to Contacts, copying text, and summarizing text. An option is available to search Google for where to buy an item you see, and you can also point the camera at something and receive more information about it from ChatGPT.
Writing Tools
In iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1 Writing Tools can only be used to change the tone to friendly, professional, and a more simplified version. iOS 18.2 brings the ability for you to describe the tone or content change that you want to make, such as adding more action words, or turning an email into a poem.
More Languages
Apple Intelligence now supports localized English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and the UK in addition to U.S. English.
Developer Tools
Developer APIs for adding Writing Tools, Genmoji, and Image Playground into third-party apps.
Availability
Users that have already been testing Apple Intelligence and are opted in will automatically have access to Writing Tools, ChatGPT integration, and Visual Intelligence features.
You’ll need to join a secondary waiting list for early access to use Genmoji, Image Playground, and Image Wand. Sign up to get access in Image Playground or in the areas where you access Genmoji or Image Wand.
You’ll get a notification when the features are available for you to use.
Currently, the betas are limited to developers who have a device capable of Apple Intelligence, but a public beta will likely become available in the near future. Apple is still working on refining the new Apple Intelligence tools, and the company warns that Genmoji, Image Wand, and Image Playground can sometimes give you results you weren’t expecting.
Apple Intelligence features require an iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 16 model, iPadOS 18.2 requires an iPad with an A17 Pro or M-series chip and macOS Sequoia 15.2 requires a Mac with an M-series chip.
