Apple Inc. has recently unveiled updates for iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2, introducing several new Apple Intelligence features, including Image Playground, Genmoji, and ChatGPT integration. Following their announcement in the morning Eastern Time, these updates began a broad rollout around 1 PM, concurrently updating Apple TV, HomePod, and Vision Pro devices.
The Image Playground feature enables users to create images based on prompts or Apple’s suggestions. This tool primarily generates cartoon or artistic styles rather than realistic photos, helping to prevent potential misuse. Image Playground can function as a standalone application and has also been integrated into applications like Messages, Freeform, and Keynote.
The Genmoji feature allows users to design custom emoji-style images, referred to by Emojipedia as 'sticker-like emojis,' and is expected to be highly popular in group chats. Additionally, the Notes app has introduced the 'Image Wand' tool, which can refine rough sketches into more detailed images, offering preset styles such as animations, illustrations, and sketches.
Integrating ChatGPT is a significant highlight of the new Apple Intelligence features. Users can now access OpenAI's ChatGPT through Siri or Apple's writing tools. This integration includes an editing tool that generates text based on the user's current writing and a text-to-image generation feature, allowing users to insert images directly into their documents. Utilizing this feature does not require a ChatGPT account, though users have the option to log in with their own accounts.
Other new features in iOS 18.2 include Visual Intelligence, the ability to share AirTag locations via links, and daily Sudoku puzzles in Apple News Plus. Additionally, localized English support has been expanded to Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United Kingdom, with support for additional languages such as Chinese, French, Portuguese, and Spanish expected to roll out gradually by 2025. According to Apple, the initial languages will be launched in Europe around April, coinciding with the release of the Apple Intelligence features.
