Apple unexpectedly released iOS 18.2 beta 1

The iOS 18.2 beta 1 release comes as Apple is still working on iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Seuoia 15.1. It introduces the next phase of Apple Intelligence, with Apple previewing new Siri features, Image Playground, and ChatGPT integration. Specifically:

Image Playground is an app that generates images based on prompts. Users can type in a description of what they want or use built-in suggestions and concepts that Apple provides. Apple will suggest outfits, locations, and more to add to the image. It's smart and can be inspired by text message threads or content in the Notes app.

Image Wand is a feature related to Image Playground found in the Notes app on iPad. Users can sketch roughly with Apple Pencil or circle blank spaces or key phrases in notes to create a suitable image.

Genmoji: are new custom emoji characters that users can base on descriptions and phrases. Users can create characters using basic elements and will get suggestions of Genmoji to choose from.

Currently, Genmoji is limited to iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2 and will be available on macOS Sequoia soon.

Additionally, on iOS 18.2 beta 1, Siri can integrate ChatGPT for certain requests, but only with user consent. If Siri cannot answer the question, it will forward the request to ChatGPT for an answer. Notably, users do not need an account to use ChatGPT integration, and Apple and OpenAI will not store user data.

At the same time, when updating iOS 18.2 beta 1, iPhone 16 series users can access Visual Intelligence - a feature that provides what is around the user. This feature can read text, detect phone numbers and addresses to add to Contacts, copy and summarize text.

In addition, in this update, Apple is also improving the Writing Tools feature to add more new options. Accordingly, users can describe the tone or change the content they want to make, such as adding more action words or turning emails into poetry.