Apple iOS 18.2 public beta arrives with new AI features, but some remain on waiting list

Apple has released an AI-powered version of its latest mobile operating system, iOS 18.2, to its public beta users. The update includes new features such as an AI emoji generator app called Genmoji, an Image Playground AI photo app, ChatGPT integration with Siri, and visual search using the iPhone 16 cameras, among other things. Previously, these features were only available to developers.

While consumers can now get in line to try out the new AI features, there’s a caveat to be aware of: some of them will require joining a waiting list for access.

Overall, 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 technology driven by the big language model promises users an intelligent Siri, help with writing and proofreading in all applications, and the ability to create images, among other things. Third-party developers will also be able to take advantage of Apple Intelligence features in their apps — something that could ultimately prove to be a very useful offering for Apple Intelligence, if it’s widely adopted.

For example, users can ask Siri to show them information within their apps, or to act on something that appears on their screen. At Apple’s developer conference in June, the company said its AI technology will begin to be made available in certain categories of applications, including Books, Browsers, Cameras, Text Readers, File Management, Journals, Mail, Photos, Presentations, Spreadsheets, Whiteboards, and Processors. in Word.

For now, users will probably want to try features that include ChatGPT and photo creation.

Image Playground presents an independent image generation app where you can create new images by prompting. Genmoji offers a similar program for creating custom emojis. And Image Wand will be able to turn your rough drawings in your notes into AI-generated images.

With Siri, users can enable a new ChatGPT extension that gives Apple’s virtual assistant an expanded set of capabilities. For example, you’ll be able to ask ChatGPT to help you write text, answer questions, create images, and more. If you are logged in, it can also save a history of your requests. Paid subscribers will also be able to use the advanced capabilities of ChatGPT that their membership provides – a mutually beneficial deal for companies where ChatGPT gets greater exposure with the installed base of the iPhone, while Apple gets the smart Siri.

iPhone 16 users can press the new Camera Control button to launch Visual Intelligence, a way to search and identify real-world objects and places through the camera lens.

Unfortunately for those who have been itching to try Apple Intelligence, a waiting list is still required for other features. Apple Intelligence must first be enabled (as it can be turned on by default), then users will need to sign up for other image creation features before access is granted. Apple hasn’t said how long users will have to wait before gaining access, but it could be days or weeks during this beta period.

In part, that’s due to AI safety concerns — already, users are designing NSFW emoji with Genmoji, for example — but it’s also giving Apple time to safely scale features for its users.

Before the release of iOS 18.2, Apple introduced AI features including Writing Tools and notification summaries powered by Apple Intelligence in iOS 18.1 and releasing a new look for Siri, where the edges of the screen light up.

Alongside the beta of iOS 18.2, Apple also released the first public beta of iPadOS 18.2, macOS Sequoia 15.2 and tvS 18.2.