Here's what's new in iOS 18.2.
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The iOS 18.2 release candidate is out as Apple prepares to fully roll out the software to the public. Here's everything you need to know about the update and its features.
On Thursday, two weeks after the fourth developer beta, Apple rolled out a release candidate build of iOS 18.2. While the update can be installed on devices like the iPhone XR and iPhone XS, the software includes many features that only work on the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and iPhone 16 lineup.
Apple Intelligence enables generative AI software for tasks like text editing, proofreading, summarizing, and tone adjustment, among other things. These features are available system-wide through a dedicated Writing Tools framework on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, and iOS 18.2 brings even more AI-powered features.
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The software expands on the existing capabilities of Writing Tools, which was originally introduced in iOS 18.1. The iOS 18.2 update brings a host of new Apple Intelligence features related to image generation, as well as a number of other improvements.
iOS 18.2 Adds ChatGPT to Writing Tools and Siri
Starting with iOS 18.2, Siri can forward questions and requests to ChatGPT. OpenAI software also supports a new text composition feature in Writing Tools, meaning users can ask ChatGPT to generate text or answer questions directly from iOS, rather than using a third-party app or website.
iOS 18.2 introduces ChatGPT integration.
ChatGPT integration was introduced with user privacy in mind, as all requests are sent anonymously. No ChatGPT account is required to use the basic features, which are available to users at any time.
However, ChatGPT’s advanced features are only available to a limited extent. As part of the iOS 18.2 update, users will be able to see if they have exceeded the daily limit of ChatGPT’s advanced features.
Once the advanced feature limit is exceeded, additional requests will be sent to the basic version of ChatGPT for up to 24 hours. Those who want even more can now upgrade to ChatGPT Plus for $19.99 per month directly from the Settings app. Siri has gained the ability to get real-time information with ChatGPT Plus, and the virtual assistant can also share screenshots with ChatGPT.
It's worth noting that ChatGPT integration is only available for devices that already support Apple Intelligence, such as the iPhone 16. With the iOS 18.2 update, Apple has also included new settings specific to these devices.
iOS 18.2 brings Visual Intelligence to iPhone 16
iOS 18.2 introduces various tweaks to Camera Control, which debuted with iPhone 16. Camera Control is an all-new hardware component, a capacitive button with a force sensor. The button can be used in conjunction with Apple Intelligence through an all-new feature known as Visual Intelligence.
Visual Intelligence is available on iPhone 16 models running iOS 18.2.
With Visual Intelligence, users can press and hold the Camera Control button while pointing their iPhone 16 at an object or location of interest. This, in turn, will provide users with useful information using Apple's generative AI software.
For example, users can point their devices at a restaurant and get information about its ratings or opening hours. They can also add a calendar event from a flyer or identify a dog by breed.
Additional Camera Control Settings for iPhone 16 Users
iOS 18.2 also introduces new settings related to camera control and its features. Users can now customize the double-click speed for camera control. In addition to the Default setting, the double-click speed can be set to Slow or Slower.
iOS 18.2 introduces additional settings for controlling the camera on the iPhone 16.
Software update adds new AE/AF lockAlso an option that locks exposure and focus when taking a photo. Camera Control can be set to activate AE/AF lock with a light press, meaning that exposure remains consistent and the image doesn’t darken even if your iPhone is moved.
Apple has added a new setting option that lets you open the Camera app even when the screen is off. Under Settings > Display & Brightness there’s now an option called Require Screen to Turn On, which is on by default. Disabling this option lets you activate the Camera app through Camera Control even if the device’s display is currently off.
Apple’s Image Playground is a new system-wide AI-powered image generation tool
iOS 18.2 introduces Image Playground, a brand new system app that lets users create images using artificial intelligence.
Image Playground uses AI to generate images based on user input.
With Image Playground, users can type in a description of the image they want to see, and generative AI will create it. It could be an image of a person they know, a landscape, an object, or anything in between. However, the software has limitations, so it can’t create images of copyrighted characters or inappropriate content.
Images can be created in one of two styles: animation and illustration. Content created in Image Playground is not hyper-realistic in any way. Apple also made sure that all images created with the app are labeled as such, so that they can never be confused with real photos.
Image Playground can generate images of people the user knows.
Image Playground lets you create 1024 x 1024 resolution images that are saved locally and can be shared like any other photo on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. A similar feature known as Image Wand lets users create images based on text found in the Notes app. Typed or handwritten text can be converted into an image using artificial intelligence.
Image Playground has integration with system apps like Freeform, Keynote, Messages, and Pages, as well as third-party apps. With it, users can create so-called Genmojis along with other types of images.
Create custom Genmoji with Apple Intelligence on iOS 18.2
With iOS 18.2, users can create unique emoji directly from the iOS keyboard. These custom emoji are known as Genmoji and can be synced via iCloud, appearing in the user's sticker drawer on all compatible devices.
With iOS 18.2, it's possible to create what are known as Genmoji.
Users can simply describe the emoji they want to create, such as one based on an object or person they know, and Apple Intelligence will make it happen. Genmoji can be created using source images from the Photos app, or a regular person emoji can be used instead.
Genmoji don't have to be people, however, as they can be made up of a variety of objects, both real and imaginary, depending on the creativity of the end user.
On-device email categorization is now available in the Mail app
The Mail app received a major upgrade with iOS 18.2, as Apple's built-in email app can now sort emails into predefined categories. Email categorization was one of the key improvements unveiled at WWDC 2024, and now it's finally here.
Apple's Mail app can sort emails into predefined categories on iOS 18.2.
Using machine learning, the built-in Mail app can classify emails into categories like:
- Highlights — Shows urgent messages, emails from people you might know, and other important information
- Transactions — An email category for receipts and order confirmations
- Updates — Contains newsletters and social media notifications
- Promotions – For marketing and sales-related emails
The Mail app now has a brand new Digest view that can display all emails from a specific company, making it much easier to interact with those messages.
With the Digest view, users will be able to get information about, for example, a specific company’s flights. Users will also be able to customize the category of emails in which senders are displayed. There’s also a new option for app icons, allowing users to choose whether they’ll appear for only the top unread messages or for all unread messages.
While Apple Intelligence and related features are undoubtedly the main focus of the iOS 18.2 update, the software also includes a host of improvements that have nothing to do with AI. Specifically, iOS 18.2 brings new features to FindMy, Photos, and more.
FindMy Now Lets You Share the Location of Lost AirTags
FindMy has received a major upgrade with iOS 18.2, as the software now allows users to share the location of lost items with people they trust.
FindMy has received a major improvement with iOS 18.2.
If an AirTag or other item is lost, users can share the item’s location with a trusted person or even the airline so that the lost item can be found more easily. This can be especially useful in the case of lost luggage, although devices equipped with FindMy have also helped authorities find stolen cars in some cases.
The location of the lost item is shared as a link. The recipient of the link will be able to see the AirTag location, serial number, and the user's Apple account email or phone number for a limited period of time. The location sharing automatically stops once the item is found or the link to the item's location expires.
Hearing health features for AirPods Pro 2 are now available in more countries
iOS 18.2 also expands the availability of hearing health features for AirPods Pro 2 wireless headphones. Specifically, the Hearing Test feature is now available in Cyprus, the Czech Republic, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Romania, Spain, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. Meanwhile, the Clinical-grade Hearing Aid feature has become available in the United Arab Emirates.
Hearing health features for AirPods Pro 2 are now available in additional countries.
Hearing health features were initially introduced with the iOS 18.1 update in the United States after being approved by the FDA in September 2024. On AirPods Pro 2, these features allow users to test their hearing or use the device as a hearing aid for those with mild to moderate hearing loss.
However, it is worth noting that for any of these features to work, AirPods Pro 2 must be running firmware 7B19 or later. The features are not intended to work in countries or regions where they have not yet been approved.
Other changes in the iOS 18.2 update
The operating system also makes a small change to video playback in the Photos app. Videos no longer automatically zoom in when they start playing. Users can also scroll through the video frame by frame and can disable automatic video looping.
iPadOS 18.2 has a redesigned tab bar in the Apple TV app.
On the iPad side, iPadOS 18.2 brings some notable changes to the Apple TV app. The tab bar in the app is now customizable, and you can now add items from the sidebar to it.
Some system apps and features have also received minor updates:
- Apple Music and Apple TV — A new organic search feature makes it easier to find content by actor, decade, genre, mood, and more.
- Face ID — When using a trusted computer with iPhone, you can now use Face ID to authenticate instead of the user's passcode.
- iPhone Mirroring — Allows users to mirror their iPhone screen even when their Mac is using it as a personal hotspot.
- Podcasts — New options for Favorites categories and a personalized search page.
- Notes — An additional “Create Image” button that appears when you select text.
- Safari — New background images for the Safari start page, as well as a Live Activity feature for downloading files.
- Shortcuts — Three new shortcuts related to the Fitness app.
- Stocks — Preview price quotes let users track NASDAQ and NYSE tickers before the market opens.
- Voice Memos — Support for multi-layered recording, which can be used to add vocals to a song idea, for example.
- Miscellaneous — Web content filters are now automatically turned on for minors in Utah.
While there are some improvements worth noting in this list, most of them build on existing apps and their features. The software also includes a few minor bug fixes, as detailed in Apple's release notes.
visionOS 2.2 adds wide and ultra-wide views to Mac Virtual Display, watchOS 11.2 adds a new pause button
visionOS 2.2, on the other hand, includes a significant improvement to the Mac Virtual Display feature. While Apple's Vision Pro has always been able to be used as an external display for the Mac, there are now two new display modes: ultra-wide and wide. According to Apple, the new ultra-wide setup is the equivalent of connecting two 4K monitors to the Mac and using them side by side.
visionOS 2.2 introduces improvements to the Mac Virtual Display feature.
Apple has also made it possible to watch multiple sports games at once on the Apple Vision Pro. With visionOS 2.2, users can now watch up to 5 MLB or MLS games at a time through their Apple TV+ subscription. While it is currently not possible to watch other sports, Apple has added SharePlay integration to visionOS 2.2, allowing headset users to watch games together.
On the Apple Watch, watchOS 11.2 introduces a new pause button for the Camera Remote app. This means that you can now pause videos recorded on your iPhone through the Camera Remote app on Apple Watch using a new button located on the left side of the screen.
However, the Apple Vision Pro and Apple Watch platforms still lack Apple Intelligence, meaning their users will not be able to take advantage of the various AI features available on other Apple platforms.
While some Apple Intelligence features are already available, like email summary and the cleanup tool in Photos, much of it is still only available in the release candidate. iOS 18.2 is expected to receive its final public release in early December 2024, when features like Image Playground and Visual Intelligence will be available to all users.
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