Beta testing for developers: image generators and ChatGPT for Apple Intelligence
Apple released the developer betas of iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2 and macOS 15.2 on Thursday night. Included: Important new AI features.
Image generator use on iPhone and iPad: As of iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2, users can also do this.
(Image: Apple)
Finally more Apple Intelligence: After the AI functions in the betas of iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1 and macOS 15.1, which are expected to be released next Monday, were rather limited, Apple is now presenting a whole bundle of new features. They can be found in iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2 and macOS 15.2, which were released as a developer beta on Thursday night. A public beta is expected to be released in the next few weeks.
Generate images with Apple – by waiting list
The new Apple Intelligence functions cover three central areas, but are not available on all devices. In addition, there are still some waiting lists where it is unclear when they will be activated. Probably the longest awaited new feature is the release of Apple's in-house image generators. These are located in the Image Playground app and include the creation of comic-like drawings from prompts or templates ("Mom as Superman"), the generation of images from simple sketches or prompts (Image Wand) and the creation of your own emojis, which Apple calls Genmoji.
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When opening the Image Playground app for the first time, the user is asked to join the "Early Access" waiting list. As soon as you are "in", you will receive a message. On a test iPad used by the Mac & i editorial team, this did not work at first, even after several hours. However, we have heard from the USA that some users already have access. The results so far have been mixed. It is important to know that Apple's image generators never create photorealistic images –, certainly also to avoid fakes.
ChatGPT is here and helps Siri at work
Apple is also releasing ChatGPT support for Siri and the entire system. This can be activated with a switch and is then available in various places – when generating texts and for queries that Apple's voice assistant cannot answer or cannot answer very well. ChatGPT is completely optional, but has no waiting list. The model can be used free of charge and requests are anonymized. However, it is also possible to log in with your account (including a paid account) so that the requests end up with OpenAI if you wish.
Finally, Apple has also released Visual Intelligence for the first time. The iPhone is supposed to provide users with information about their surroundings and can recognize famous buildings, record addresses or search Google. The function is only available from iPhone 16 (all models) and, according to beta testers, is not yet fully functional, so far resembling more of a reverse image search. Apple has also improved its writing tools, which now allow more customization options for the output. For example, you can turn an email into a poem or add more action words to text. As part of the EU regulation, iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2 now also allow you to remove the Camera app, Safari, Photos, Messages and the App Store from your device if you wish. There is also a new menu in the system settings to view and set the current default apps. The categorization of emails in the Mail app has also been released for the first time.
How to get Apple Intelligence
Apple Intelligence is currently not officially released on iPhone and iPad within the EU. It only works if at least the App Store and media account is from the USA, the region has been set to USA and the device is running in US English. After activation, however, other English versions can also be used.
These are now also those from the UK, South Africa, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. A German language version is not expected until next year. Users from Switzerland do not have to fulfill the above conditions as their country is not part of the EU – and can use Apple Intelligence directly.
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