Apple has rolled out the second release candidate versions of the upcoming iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS 15.2 updates to developers and public beta testers for testing purposes. This comes a week after the initial release candidates were made available. The first iOS 18.2 RC was identified with build number 22C150, and the second RC carries the build number 22C151. These release candidates indicate the final version of beta software that will be released to the public if no significant bugs are discovered.
In addition to the operating system updates for iPhone, iPad, and Mac, Apple has also introduced new release candidates for visionOS 2.2, tvOS 18.2, and HomePod Software 18.2. The focus of iOS 18.2 and its counterparts is on testing the next phase of Apple Intelligence, incorporating several new features across iOS, iPadOS, and macOS.
Image Playground is Apple’s innovative image generation application, enabling users to create images based on descriptions or built-in suggestions. Users can input their desired image content, and Apple will offer suggestions for costumes, locations, and items to enhance the image. The app’s intelligent concepts draw inspiration from Messages threads or content in the Notes app. Users can also create characters resembling friends and family members, with the option to use a photo as inspiration. Image Playground’s creations are previewed, allowing users to revert to previous versions if needed.
Image Wand, a feature related to Image Playground, is available within the Notes app. This tool allows users to sketch with an Apple Pencil or highlight key phrases in a note for Image Wand to generate a relevant image. Additionally, Genmoji enables the creation of custom emoji characters based on descriptions and phrases, including options to base them on individuals from the People album in Photos.
Siri now integrates with ChatGPT for specific requests, with user approval required. If Siri cannot provide an answer to a query, it will pass the request to ChatGPT, whose response will then be relayed by Siri. ChatGPT can generate content from scratch, including text and images, without requiring an account, and requests are not stored by Apple or OpenAI.
iPhone 16 users have access to Visual Intelligence, offering information about surroundings when using the camera. The feature can read text aloud, detect phone numbers and addresses, summarize text, and more. Apple plans to expand Visual Intelligence’s functionality over time to provide more features to users.
Apple is enhancing the Writing Tools feature in iOS 18.2, allowing for more open-ended changes to tone and content. Users can describe the desired changes, such as adding action words or transforming an email into a poem. Apple Intelligence now supports localized English in various regions, expanding its language capabilities.
Access to Apple Intelligence features like Writing Tools, ChatGPT integration, and Visual Intelligence is available to users already testing the platform. Early access to Genmoji, Image Playground, and Image Wand is offered through a secondary waiting list, with users receiving notifications when these features become available. Apple continues to refine the new Apple Intelligence tools and collect feedback for further improvement.
The iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2 updates will be available on all devices, with Apple Intelligence features requiring compatible devices. Apple is currently refining the image generation features and warns of potential unexpected results with Genmoji, Image Wand, and Image Playground. The company is gathering feedback to enhance user experiences with these tools over time. Apple plans to release the updates for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS later this week.
Leave feedback about this