Apple Launches Third Betas of iOS 18.2 and Additional Features Including Genmoji, Image Playground, and ChatGPT Integration

Apple has launched the third beta version of iOS 18.2, featuring new integrations with Genmoji, Image Playground, and ChatGPT, as well as updates for iPadOS 18.2 and macOS Sequoia 15.2 for developers to evaluate. This new release comes after the second beta launch from last week and features the second beta editions of watchOS 11.2, tvOS 18.2, and HomePod Software 18.2.

With this update, Apple keeps progressing Apple Intelligence, launching various new features throughout iOS, iPadOS, and macOS:

Image Playground

Image Playground is Apple’s latest app for generating images, enabling users to produce visuals from prompts. You may input a description or select from Apple’s curated recommendations, providing choices such as fashion trends, places, and various components to include in your photos.

The application smartly modifies recommendations according to active discussions or material in the Notes app.

Users can generate images that look like friends and relatives, and you can also choose a current image as a reference. Every new element is displayed in Image Playground, allowing users to utilize a edit history for undoing or restoring changes.

Although Image Playground operates as an independent application, it is also integrated into Messages. It creates animated or illustrative pictures instead of realistic ones.

Picture Wand

Image Wand is a function in Image Playground found in the Notes application on iPad. Using an Apple Pencil, users can draw a basic outline, mark an empty area, or even specify a keyword in a note, enabling Image Wand to create a related image. This integration improves the visual features of Notes, facilitating the rapid illustration of ideas.

Genmoji

Genmoji allows you to design personalized emoji characters from descriptions and prompts. Like Image Playground, Genmoji can be customized to reflect friends or family by utilizing information from the People album in Photos.

You can also generate characters using fundamental elements, with various Genmoji options available for you to choose from. Genmoji symbols can be generated with the emoji keyboard.

Originally limited to iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2 in the second beta, Genmoji is now also being introduced to macOS Sequoia.

Siri and ChatGPT Collaboration

Siri is now able to work with ChatGPT for specific inquiries, but this requires user approval. If Siri is unable to answer a question, it can forward the inquiry to ChatGPT, and the reply is provided via Siri. 

ChatGPT can produce original content, encompassing both text and images. An account isn’t necessary to utilize the ChatGPT integration, and neither Apple nor OpenAI retains any requests.

Visual Intelligence

Visual Intelligence, accessible to iPhone 16 users, offers insights about your environment. For example, by directing your camera towards a restaurant, you can view its operating hours and opinions.

Visual Intelligence also offers features like reading text aloud, identifying phone numbers and addresses for saving contacts, copying text, and summarizing information. You can likewise use Google to locate a specific item you see for purchase, or aim the camera at an object to retrieve more information from ChatGPT.

Apple intends to enhance Visual Intelligence by adding additional features in the future.

Writing Tools

Apple is improving its Writing Tools feature by offering more adaptable choices for content modifications.

In iOS 18.1 and related updates, Writing Tools were restricted to altering the tone to be more friendly, professional, or simplified.

With iOS 18.2, users are now able to choose a tone or transformation, like incorporating more action verbs or turning an email into a poem.

Additional Languages

Apple Intelligence now offers translated English for Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland, and the UK, in addition to American English.

Wait List

If you have tested Apple Intelligence before and agreed to participate, you will automatically receive access to Writing Tools, ChatGPT integration, and Visual Intelligence.

There is a secondary waitlist for early access to Genmoji, Image Playground, and Image Wand. You can ask for access within Image Playground or in sections where Genmoji or Image Wand are accessible.

After you request access, you will be placed on the waitlist for all three features and will get a notification when they become available. Apple will be providing access to the new image creation features in the upcoming weeks.

Accessibility and Suitability

The second and third beta updates for iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2 are now accessible on all devices. Nonetheless, ‌Apple Intelligence‌ capabilities necessitate an ‌Apple Intelligence‌-compatible device. 

Apple is still improving these new tools, indicating that functions such as ‌Genmoji‌, Image Wand, and ‌Image Playground‌ might occasionally produce surprising outcomes.

The organization is continuously collecting user input to enhance its offerings gradually.

Public beta releases of iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and ‌macOS Sequoia‌ 15.2 were made available last week as well.

To use ‌Apple Intelligence‌, you require an iPhone 15 Pro, any model of ‌iPhone 16‌, an ‌iPad‌ equipped with an M-series chip or A17 Pro chip, or a Mac featuring an M-series chip.

tvOS 18.2

tvOS 18.2 adds enhanced display support, featuring the 21:9 aspect ratio along with several additional formats.

Apple TV can now automatically recognize and choose the correct aspect ratio for your screen. Apple is introducing new screensavers that include Snoopy and additional characters.

Release Date

Apple is anticipated to unveil updates for iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, ‌macOS Sequoia‌ 15.2, watchOS 11.2, tvOS 18.2, and visionOS 2.2 in early December.