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 to the Apple Intelligence Suite, although once again this is limited to English-speaking countries.
Users are getting the first set of AI image generation features in Notes with Image Playground, Genmoji, and Image Wand. iOS 18.2 is available for iPhone XS/XR and newer devices, with Apple Intelligence features limited to iPhone 15 Pro and newer devices.
Apple Intelligence is also expanding its available languages to include local English support for Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, and the UK.
Once updated, iOS 18.2 users will get a new Image Playground app that allows you to create stylish AI images of people in your photos. You can combine images with pre-made prompts or describe what type 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 allows you to create custom emoji based on text prompts directly from the emoji keyboard. Users on iOS 18.2 and 18.1 will be able to see your Genmoji as a normal emoji in text, whereas those on previous versions of iOS or Android will get just an image.
Zenmoji on iOS 18.2
Apple is also bringing ChatGPT integration to Siri so you can get answers to questions directly from OpenAI’s chatbot without opening the app. ChatGPT integration has also been extended into iOS’s system-wide writing tools that let you quickly compose emails and messages with specific tone and intonation. All ChatGPT features will work without signing in to your ChatGPT account.
Visual Intelligence is a feature exclusive to the iPhone 16 series and allows you to discover and recognize objects around you by long pressing on the camera control button.
Once triggered, visual intelligence can detect objects, summarize and copy text, translate between different languages and locate relevant information such as working hours, phone numbers and email addresses . Visual Intelligence also integrates with Google and ChatGPT so users can continue their searches on those platforms.
Other changes in iOS 18.2 include more Control Center toggles, categorized filters for the default Mail app, a redesigned video player inside the Photos app, and a system-wide volume limit. EU users can now remove system apps like Camera, Photos, Messages, Safari, and the App Store.
