Apple iOS 18.2 public beta arrives with new AI features, but some remain waitlisted | TechCrunch

Apple has released the AI-powered version of its latest mobile operating system, iOS 18.2, to its public beta users. The update includes new features like an AI emoji generator app called Genmoji, an Image Playground AI image app, ChatGPT integration with Siri, and visual search using the iPhone 16 cameras, among other things. Previously, these features were only available to developers.

Though consumers can now get in line to try out the new AI features, there is a caveat to be aware of: some of them will require joining a waitlist for access.

Collectively, the AI features and tools coming to the new iPhone 16 and other supported devices are known as Apple Intelligence, which can be cleverly abbreviated as “AI” for short. The large language model-driven technologies promise users a smarter Siri, writing and proofreading assistance across apps, and image generation capabilities, among other things. Third-party developers will also be able to take advantage of Apple Intelligence features in their own apps — something that could ultimately prove to be Apple Intelligence’s most useful offering, if widely adopted.

For instance, users could ask Siri to show them information from inside their apps, or take action on something that appears on their screen. At Apple’s developer conference in June, the company said its AI technology would first be made available to specific categories of apps, including Books, Browsers, Cameras, Document readers, File management, Journals, Mail, Photos, Presentations, Spreadsheets, Whiteboards, and Word processors.

In the meantime, users will most likely want to try the features involving ChatGPT and image creation.

Image Playground introduces a standalone image-generation app where you can create new images via prompts. Genmoji offers a similar system for creating custom emojis. And Image Wand will be able to transform your rough sketches in your notes into AI-generated images.

With Siri, users can enable a new ChatGPT extension that gives Apple’s virtual assistant an expanded set of capabilities. For instance, you’ll be able to ask ChatGPT to help you write text, answer questions, create images, and more. If signed in, it can keep a history of your requests, too. Paid subscribers will also be able to use ChatGPT’s advanced capabilities their membership provides — a mutually beneficial deal for the companies where ChatGPT gets massive exposure via the iPhone installed base, while Apple gets a smarter Siri.

iPhone 16 users can also press the new Camera Control button to launch Visual Intelligence, a way to search and identify real-world objects and places through the camera lens.

Unfortunately for those who were itching to try Apple Intelligence, a waitlist for some features is still required. Apple Intelligence has to first be enabled (as it’s not turned on by default), then users will have to sign up for other image-creation features before access is granted. Apple has not said how long users will have to wait before gaining access, but it could be days or even weeks during this beta period.

In part, that’s due to AI safety concerns — already, users are designing NSFW emoji with Genmoji, for example — but it also gives Apple time to safely scale the features to its users.

Ahead of the iOS 18.2 release, Apple launched AI features including Writing Tools and notification summaries powered by Apple Intelligence in iOS 18.1, as well as debuted the new look for Siri, where the edges of the screen glow.

Alongside the iOS 18.2 beta, Apple also released the first public betas of iPadOS 18.2, macOS Sequoia 15.2, and tvOS 18.2.