All the news from iOS 18.2 beta 1

A few minutes ago we told you about the rapid movement that Apple had yesterday by launching beta 1 for developers of iOS 18.2. This is the next major release that will be released before the end of the year, as sources in the Big Apple have confirmed in recent weeks. First impressions of this new batch of betas show significant progress in implementing new Apple Intelligence features and the long awaited ChatGPT Integration with the iOS 18 ecosystem and Siri in particular. Additionally, Apple also wanted to launch more news for regions where Apple Intelligence has not yet seen the light of day, such as in the European Union. We tell you everything below.

Apple Intelligence reigns among the new features of iOS 18.2 Beta 1

Without a doubt, the biggest news of iOS 18.2 in its beta 1 version for developers is the evolution of Apple Intelligence. Before starting with the main new features, it is important to highlight that iOS 18.2 will extend all its functions to more regions, including for English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and the United Kingdom. United. Once this detail has been covered, we move on to the detail of main new features of iOS 18.2 regarding Apple Intelligence:

• ChatGPT integration: Apple already announced at WWDC24 that Apple Intelligence was not yet powerful enough to build a service like ChatGPT, so an agreement was made with OpenAI to use its GPT-4o language model to integrate it into the its entire artificial intelligence ecosystem. And Apple will launch this integration with iOS 18.2. It is not necessary to have an active OpenAI account to use the tool and Anything we send to Siri that doesn’t resolve the issue, we can send to ChatGPT for a response. This is something that works very well and offers the possibility of leaving Siri aside. Another function is ask ChatGPT questions about the elements that are on the screen, allowing a high level of interaction.
• Genmoji: This is undoubtedly another of the main attractions of Apple Intelligence and Apple has already hinted during WWDC24 that this is going to be a very interesting function. It allows the user to create custom emojis via small prompts. For example: “give me an emoji where we see a cat eating pizza” or “an astronaut on top of a dinosaur”. These emojis They are visible in iOS 18.1 but can only be created in iOS 18.2.

• Image Playground: After artificial intelligence focused on image generation, there is also Image Playground. It is an application that allows you to create personalized images thanks to small prompts and elements that are added: scenarios, people, images, etc. Related to this application there is also Picture wand,
  which allows you to add images in the Notes application. If you’re using an iPad, you’ll create more stylized images using sketches.
• Visual intelligence: This is another of the exciting features expected for iOS 18.2 and it’s here. The downside? Which are only available for iPhone16 since it needs more power. This function allows you to identify objects and places directly from the camera: detection of animals, flowers, monuments and much more in real time. In addition, the integration of this tool with ChatGPT allows the experience to succeed.
• Writing tools: Finally, some of the writing tools we’ll see in iOS 18.1 have been refined by adding three other styles to those that already existed before.

More changes but less attractive

As we mentioned, iOS 18.2 will be released globally, but not everyone will have Apple Intelligence, so additional features need to be added for this update to make sense outside the US and the rest of the countries where AI functions are available. This is what Apple tried to do with these small updates:

• Ability to remove default apps in EU: In line with EU Digital Markets Act guidelines, EU users will be able to remove apps from the App Store, Safari, Messages, Camera, and Photos. Related to this, Apple added a section Default apps in the Applications section of Settings which allows you to configure which apps are default for each task: email, application store, calls, etc.
• Control center: An additional shortcut has been added for Write to Siri, which allows you to write directly without having to invoke it with your voice or speak it directly. Additionally, Apple removed the Satellite control from the Connectivity section in iOS 18.2 and the Adaptive Audio design was changed.
• Sleep apnea in Canada: If you have an Apple Watch compatible with sleep apnea detection and you live in Canada, you can now use this feature if you have iOS 18.2 installed.
• Application by mail: As part of the redesign of iOS 18 for the Mail application, Apple wanted to add new categories in iOS 18.2: important emails, transactions, offers and newsletters, among others.
• Voice notes: In Apple’s attempt to turn the Voice Memos app into a more functional app, Apple added a feature that lets you overlay two voice memos, separate the voice memo into layers, and edit mixes of those layers. A small GarageBand without having to install this application.

Other news will appear over time. But the most important thing is ahead in terms of quality and functionality around Apple Intelligence. First impressions around ChatGPT integration seem to be the most important thing in this iOS 18.2 Beta 1.