Apple has released an artificial intelligence-powered version of its latest mobile operating system, iOS 18.2, to public beta users. The update includes up-to-date features such as an AI emoji generating app called Genmoji, AI Image Playground, ChatGPT integration with Siri, and visual search using iPhone 16 cameras. Previously, these features were only available to developers.
While consumers can now line up to try out up-to-date AI features, there’s a caveat to keep in mind: some of them will require you to join a waitlist to gain access.
Collectively, the AI features and tools available on the up-to-date iPhone 16 and other supported devices are known as Apple Intelligence, which can be cleverly abbreviated to “AI.” Technologies based on huge language models provide users with smarter Siri, in-app typing and proofreading assistance, and image generation capabilities, among other features. Third-party developers will also be able to apply Apple Intelligence features in their own apps – which could ultimately prove to be Apple Intelligence’s most useful offering if it is widely adopted.
For example, users can ask Siri to show them information from their apps or take action on something that appears on their screen. At Apple’s June developer conference, the company said the AI technology would first be made available to specific categories of apps, including books, browsers, cameras, document readers, file management, magazines, email, photos, presentations, spreadsheets, whiteboards and processors text.
In the meantime, users will likely want to try out features including ChatGPT and image creation.
Image Playground introduces a standalone image generator app where you can create up-to-date images with hints. Genmoji offers a similar system for creating custom emojis. And Image Wand will be able to turn your gritty sketches in your notes into AI-generated images.
With Siri, users can enable the up-to-date ChatGPT extension, which gives Apple’s virtual assistant an expanded set of capabilities. For example, you can ask ChatGPT to lend a hand you write text, answer questions, create images, and more. If you log in, it may also keep a history of your requests. Paid subscribers will also be able to take advantage of ChatGPT’s advanced capabilities that come with their membership – a mutually beneficial deal for businesses, with ChatGPT gaining mass exposure through its installed base on the iPhone, while Apple gets a smarter Siri.
iPhone 16 users can also press the up-to-date Camera Control button to launch Visual Intelligence, a method of finding and identifying objects and places in the real world using the camera lens.
Unfortunately for those who wanted to try Apple Intelligence, there is still a waiting list required for some features. Apple Intelligence will need to be enabled first (since it’s not enabled by default) and then users will need to register for other imaging features before they can gain access. Apple hasn’t said how long users will have to wait before gaining access, but it could be days or even weeks during the beta period.
This is partly due to concerns about the security of AI – users already do it NSFW emoji design with Genmojifor example — but it also gives Apple time to safely scale features to users’ needs.
Ahead of the release of iOS 18.2, Apple launched AI features including writing tools and notification summaries powered by Apple Intelligence in iOS 18.1, and also debuted a up-to-date look for Siri where the edges of the screen glow.
In addition to the iOS 18.2 beta, Apple has also released the first public betas of iPadOS 18.2, macOS Sequoia 15.2, and tvOS 18.2.