Apple has released the AI-powered version of its latest mobile operating system, iOS 18.2, to its public beta users. The update includes new features like an AI emoji generator app called Genmoji, an Image Playground AI image app, ChatGPT integration with Siri, and visual search using the iPhone 16 cameras, among other things. Previously, these features were only available to developers.
Though consumers can now get in line to try out the new AI features, there is a caveat to be aware of: some of them will require joining a waitlist for access.
Collectively, the AI features and tools coming to the new iPhone 16 and other supported devices are known as Apple Intelligence, which can be cleverly abbreviated as “AI” for short. The large language model-driven technologies promise users a smarter Siri, writing and proofreading assistance across apps, and image generation capabilities, among other things. Third-party developers will also be able to take advantage of Apple Intelligence features in their own apps — something that could ultimately prove to be Apple Intelligence’s most useful offering, if widely adopted.
For instance, users could ask Siri to show them information from inside their apps, or take action on something that appears on their screen. At Apple’s developer conference in June, the company said its AI technology would first be made available to specific categories of apps, including Books, Browsers, Cameras, Document readers, File management, Journals, Mail, Photos, Presentations, Spreadsheets, Whiteboards, and Word processors.
In the meantime, users will most likely want to try the features involving ChatGPT and image creation.
Image Playground introduces a standalone image-generation app where you can create new images via prompts. Genmoji offers a similar system for creating custom emojis. And Image Wand will be able to transform your rough sketches …