Apple is now rolling out its iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2 updates to users around the world, with several big additions. These include an extension of the Apple Intelligence suite, but again limited to English-speaking countries.
Users get their first set of AI image generation features with Image Playground, Genmoji, and Image Wand in Notes. iOS 18.2 is available for iPhone XS/XR and later, with Apple Intelligence features limited to iPhone 15 Pro and later devices.
Apple Intelligence also expands available languages with localized English support for Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, and the UK
After the update, iOS 18.2 users will get a new Image Playground app that lets you create stylized AI images of people in your photos. You can combine the images with pre-made prompts or describe what kind of image you want the AI to generate for you. Apple currently offers two styles: animation and illustration. Image Playground is also integrated into the Messages app.
Image Playground
Genmoji lets you create custom emojis from a text prompt, right from the emoji keyboard. Users on iOS 18.2 and 18.1 can see your Genmoji as a normal emoji in texts, while users on earlier versions of iOS or Android simply get an image.
Genmoji on iOS 18.2
Apple is also bringing ChatGPT integration to Siri, so you can get instant answers to questions from OpenAI’s chatbot without even opening the app. ChatGPT integration has also been extended to iOS’s system-wide writing tools, allowing you to quickly compose emails and messages with specific tone and intonation. All ChatGPT features work without you having to log into your ChatGPT account.
Visual Intelligence is an exclusive feature to the iPhone 16 series and allows you to search and identify objects in your environment with a long press of the Camera Control button.
Once activated, Visual Intelligence can detect objects, summarize and copy text, translate between different languages, and detect contextual information such as work hours, phone numbers, and email addresses. Visual Intelligence also integrates with Google and ChatGPT, allowing users to continue their search on those platforms.
Other tweaks in iOS 18.2 include more Control Center toggles, categorized filters for the default Mail app, a redesigned video player in the Photos app, and a system-wide volume limit. EU users can now uninstall system apps such as the Camera, Photos, Messages, Safari and the App Store.