On Wednesday, Apple released the iOS 18.2 Developer Beta 1 update for the iPhone. It comes a week before the expected release of iOS 18.1 stable and offers more features based on Apple Intelligence, the company’s artificial intelligence (AI) suite that it previewed at WWDC 2024 in May. This includes Image Playground, Genomoji, ChatGPT integration in Siri and other new features. There are also some exclusive additions for the iPhone 16 series.
Models compatible with iOS 18.2 Developer Beta 1
Apple says that all iPhone models compatible with the iOS 18 update are eligible to download the latest iOS 18.2 Developer Beta 1. However, it is currently only expected to be rolled out to models that support Apple Intelligence. This includes the entire iPhone 16, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max lineup.
Features of iOS 18.2 Developer Beta 1
With iOS 18.2 Developer Beta 1, Apple Intelligence features have been expanded. The Cupertino-based tech giant previewed a slew of AI additions at its May developer conference, but only a few, like writing tools, web summarization, and automatic movie creation in the Photos app, were released with previous beta updates. . The iOS 18.2 Developer Beta 1 update adds outstanding features that Apple has been flaunting.
It includes Image Playground, which uses generative artificial intelligence to create images based on text prompts. The feature also includes the Genmoji tool, which works on the same principle but for customized emojis. Images you create can be shared in apps like Messages, Notes, and Keynote. Additionally, there’s an Image Wand feature that can turn a rough sketch into a related image in Notes. However, at the time of writing, Image Playground requires a separate early access that users will have to request after installing the update.
Image Playground in iOS 18.2 Developer Beta 1
Apple has also integrated ChatGPT into Siri. The voice assistant can now use OpenAI’s artificial intelligence chatbot capabilities to provide users with more detailed responses to queries and even information about photos and documents. They can request ChatGPT directly through Siri to get advanced responses. In addition, it also becomes part of the Writing Tools, allowing Apple Intelligence to further customize the text, providing hints or creating new ones altogether. This feature requires an additional login, and iPhone users with a paid ChatGPT account can use their account to access more powerful OpenAI models.
iPhone 16 series users will be able to take advantage of the new Visual Intelligence as part of the iOS 18.2 Developer Beta 1 update. It is said to be Apple’s own version of Google Lens. A long press on the camera control button opens a new interface. Users can point the camera’s viewfinder at an object and the iPhone can search for it on the Internet or query ChatGPT for more information.
While Apple Intelligence is the highlight of the update, other changes have also been made. This applies to the email app, which now has a new look in conjunction with the on-device categorization system. It can now separate emails into four different categories: Basic, Transactional, Updates, and Promotional.
In addition to the new features, Apple has also expanded the availability of Apple Intelligence to more English-speaking countries. It is now available in the following languages for the respective regions:
- English (Australia)
- English (Canada)
- English (New Zealand)
- English (South Africa)
- English (UK)