iPhone 16 finally gets a taste of Apple Intelligence, iOS 18.2 beta brings ChatGPT, Image Playground & Genmoji

Apple is gearing up to roll out its much-anticipated Apple Intelligence tools across iOS, iPadOS, and macOS next week with the release of iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1. However, developers are already getting a taste of what’s next, as Apple has just dropped the iOS 18.2 developer beta on 23 October 2024, bringing several new AI-powered features into the spotlight.

The 18.2 beta for iPhone, iPad, and Mac introduces exciting new tools like Genmoji, Image Playground, and Visual Intelligence, along with ChatGPT integration for Siri. Registered developers can dive into the new update now via the Apple Beta Software Program, though Apple has warned that the beta version is still a work in progress, meaning bugs and slowdowns are likely.

Genmoji, Image Playground, and a smarter Siri
One of the standout additions is Genmoji, Apple’s generative AI emoji tool that lets users mix and match emojis to create unique combinations. These playful new creations can be accessed directly through familiar apps like Messages, Notes, and Freeform. Alongside this, Image Playground is Apple’s take on advanced AI image generation. While not fully tested yet, it promises to be a fun addition, accessible not only within apps but also as a standalone feature on Mac, iPad, and iPhone. Developers will be able to integrate these tools into other apps using dedicated APIs, expanding creative possibilities for users.

Meanwhile, Siri is getting a major boost with integrated ChatGPT, allowing users to ask questions and receive responses powered by OpenAI’s chatbot. Apple has made this feature entirely optional, and Siri will notify users whenever ChatGPT is responding, keeping things transparent. The assistant is also becoming more forgiving, able to handle stumbles in speech and offering quick answers from Apple’s extensive library of how-to guides.

Visual Intelligence and writing tools add more power
There’s an extra treat for iPhone 16 users with the arrival of Visual Intelligence. This new feature works with the camera to identify objects in real-time. During a demo at the iPhone 16 keynote, Apple showcased Visual Intelligence by identifying a dog’s breed and pulling up the opening hours of a restaurant just by snapping a photo of the building. It’s an exciting glimpse into how Apple Intelligence could make everyday tasks easier.

The 18.2 beta also introduces improvements to the Writing Tools feature, set to debut next week. Users will now have more control over text generation, with the ability to request specific tones, making it easier to shape AI-generated text to suit their needs.

A promising upgrade with some early bugs
In addition to these new features, the latest beta expands support for English varieties, adding regional options for Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and the UK. However, for users in India keen to explore Apple Intelligence early, some setup is required.

The developer beta will only work if the iPhone’s Apple Account is set to the US, and the language is switched to one of the supported English regions. For our testing, we have been using the English (US).

While iOS 18.2 looks like an exciting upgrade, Apple is urging caution since the beta is still under development. Installing it on a primary device might not be the best idea, as bugs and glitches are to be expected.

This preview of Apple Intelligence offers a thrilling glimpse into what’s in store for iPhones and other Apple devices. With improvements to Siri, playful tools like Genmoji, and Visual Intelligence making the camera smarter, it seems like Apple is taking AI to the next level – and users are in for a treat once these features go live.