What's new in iOS 18.2: Apple has released the first beta version

Apple released iOS 18 a little more than a month ago, and a package of improvements to it is already available. The beta version of iOS 18.2 is now available for developers.

According to MacRumors, the update can be tested only on devices that support Apple Intelligence. However, it already has many features that will be available to all users immediately after the official release. Here's a list of updates that are known to be coming soon.

Apple Intelligence

iOS 18.2 has several new Apple Intelligence features, including Image Playground and Genmoji. These two apps are the ones that have become interesting. Here's a closer look.

Image Playground – integrated into messages, it allows you to create stylized images based on prompts and images of you and your friends.

Image Wand is an app designed to add images to what you've written in your notes. On the iPad, you can use the Apple Pencil to make a sketch and let Image Wand turn it into something more beautiful.

Genmoji – With Genmoji, you can create your emoji. In general, it's similar to Image Playground, but on an emoji scale. People who have iOS 18.1 will see Genmoji and can even get information about them, but the ability to create them will only appear in iOS 18.2. In previous versions of iOS, they appear as an image.

Siri ChatGPT – Siri can now send requests to ChatGPT. You do not need to register and create an account in the artificial intelligence system. Anything you ask Siri can be sent to ChatGPT if you wish. AI provides more advanced information than Siri and can also generate images and text. If you want to make it easier to send requests to ChatGPT, you can turn off the "Ask every time" setting so that Siri doesn't ask for permission. Siri with ChatGPT integration supports on-screen responses, so you can do things like ask "What's in this picture?" when you look at an image.

Visual Intelligence – iPhone 16 Visual Intelligence can be used to identify objects and places around you. Hold down the camera control button to bring up the app, then point your iPhone at something. You can get hours of operation and reviews if the camera is looking at a restaurant, copy text, read it aloud, search for items on Google, ask ChatGPT questions about objects, and more.

Writing Tools – the function of writing tools is no longer limited to three styles. You can describe the tone or content you want from the text, such as adding more dynamic words or turning an email into a poem.

Languages – With iOS 18.2, Apple Intelligence will now support English language variants in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United Kingdom, in addition to American English.

Other updates

Other updates to the operating system have also become available for beta testing. Here are some of them.

Apple Arcade – the "All Games" section in the App Store has a new drop-down filter menu and the ability to disable game previews.

Categorization of the Mail app – the mail app has new built-in categories to separate important emails, offers, newsletters, transaction emails, and more. Also, the app will now have larger images for contacts and to-dos, and all emails from the same person or source will be merged.

Audio Recorder – You can now use the audio recording program to overdub two tracks on top of each other. It is also possible to split layers and edit layer mixes.

Uninstalling apps in the EU – In the European Union, users can now uninstall major apps, including the App Store, Safari, Messages, Camera, and Photos.

Default Apps section – A new Default Apps section will appear in the Settings menu under Apps. Here you can select applications to be used automatically on your iPhone.

For example, there are defaults for email, messages, calls, call filtering, a browser app, passwords and codes, and keyboards. In the US and other countries, you will be able to use this section to choose the best email, call filtering, browser, password, and keyboard apps. In the EU, you'll have even more choices for calling and messaging apps, as they'll include non-Apple apps.

Volume Limit – A new option called Volume Limit is now available in the Sound & Haptics section of the Settings app. By turning on the Maximum Volume Limit toggle, you can control the volume of audio played by the iPhone speaker, such as songs, movies, and other media files. This restriction does not affect calls, FaceTime calls, alarms, or other sounds.

Control Center – The Control Center now has a new shortcut option for entering Siri text. Apple also removed the Satellite control from the Connections section and changed the icon for Adaptive Audio.

Safari – a new section for managing data and website history has been added to the browser settings. Also, new import and export options and the Clear Website History and Data tool are now available.

Podcasts – You can add categories to your favorites in the Podcasts app in iOS 18.2.

Sleep apnea – Sleep apnea notifications are now available in Canada for users with compatible Apple Watch.

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