Apple Expands Apple Intelligence and More with iOS 18.2 Beta

Apple has officially launched the beta phase for iOS 18.2, with a full release anticipated by December this year. The primary focus of this update is on enhancing Apple Intelligence while also introducing new features for European users and general improvements for iOS. Here’s a rundown of what’s coming with the iOS 18.2 beta.

Apple Intelligence Expansion

Apple Intelligence gets a boost with several new capabilities designed to make the iPhone experience more interactive and informative. These new features include:

• Genmoji Support: Users can now create custom emojis by combining elements, such as typing “monkey with pink hat” to generate unique emojis.
• Image Playground: Accessible within apps like Messages and as a standalone tool, Image Playground allows users to create images instantly in Animation, Illustration, or Sketch modes.
• ChatGPT Integration: Users now have the option to bring ChatGPT into their Writing Tools, expanding response possibilities when Apple Intelligence needs additional support.
• Visual Intelligence: This feature enhances the iPhone’s object and place recognition, allowing users to access information like restaurant hours or ratings by holding Camera Control, or to identify objects, animals, or add events to their calendar from visual cues.
• Image Wand: Within the Notes app, rough sketches can be transformed into detailed images, and users can even fill blank spaces with context-based images.

The Apple Intelligence functionality is also now available in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United Kingdom, expanding the reach of these interactive tools.

General Features

Alongside Apple Intelligence updates, iOS 18.2 introduces improvements across other areas, enhancing usability and personalization:

• Mail App Revamp: The updated Mail app offers new organization tools that categorize emails into Primary, Transactions, Updates, and Promotions. A digest view lets users quickly scan relevant business emails.
• Default Apps Customization: iPhone users can now change the default apps for Messages and Phone, offering more control over the user experience.
• Volume Limit Control: A new Volume Limit setting in the Settings app allows users to restrict the maximum speaker volume on their iPhone.
• Voice Memos Update: iPhone 16 Pro models gain an enhanced Voice Memos feature, enabling users to layer multiple tracks for a richer audio recording experience.

Compatibility and Release Details

iOS 18.2 beta 1 is available for iPhones with Apple Intelligence support, which currently includes the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. Apple plans to continue fine-tuning these features during the beta phase and to release iOS 18.2 later in the year.

This update marks a significant expansion of Apple Intelligence capabilities and provides iOS users with increased customization options and new tools that enhance the overall experience.