Genmoji, Image Playground, and More: What’s New in iOS 18.2 and Beyond
To kick off the roundup, let’s start with the feature Apple users will likely use the most — Genmoji. With this feature, users can generate emojis using text prompts that can then be sent as stickers, used inline with messages, or added to Tapback reactions. The prompts can be as fun as you’d like, such as “a T-Rex wearing a Christmas sweater.” Once the prompt is entered, users will have multiple options to choose from. When one is selected, it will populate under the Stickers tab for easy access in the future. Users can even create emojis using the likeness of family and friends. Genmoji is available for iPhone and iPad, with Mac availability coming in the upcoming months.
Image Playground allows users to create images from a combination of inputs, such as text prompts, existing images, themes, and descriptions, in different styles, including Animation or Illustration. If you are stumped, you can use the suggested recommendations to get your creative juices going. These generations can be created from the Message app and other Apple apps, such as Freeform, Pages, and Keynote. Once an image is made, it is saved to the user’s Image Playground library, which syncs across devices.
Writing Tools Updates (featuring ChatGPT)
Writing Tools, first introduced in 18.1, is updated to let users describe a change they’d like to make to text, such as altering the tone, giving the user more control and personalization options. This capability adds to the existing Proofread, Rewrite, and Summarize options. Another new option is Compose, which allows users to create text from scratch by leveraging ChatGPT from the native writing Tools option. Users will even be able to generate images using ChatGPT. It is worth noting that ChatGPT limitations will apply, so unless you are a subscriber, you are likely to hit usage limits, just like any free ChatGPT user on the native platform. Users can choose whether or not to enable the ChatGPT integration in Settings.
Siri with ChatGPT
Siri will now recognize when you ask questions outside its scope and ask if you’d like to process the query using ChatGPT. Before any request is sent to ChatGPT, there will always be a message notifying the user and asking for permission. Like the Writing Tools, Siri can answer several queries using ChatGPT, but it has usage limitations, as discussed above. Furthermore, any prompts sent to ChatGPT from Siri will populate your ChatGPT account if you are signed in, which is optional so you can pick up any conversation later.
Visual Intelligence
Visual Intelligence works with the Camera Control button on the iPhone 16 lineup, allowing users to search for anything they see with a simple tap. Some capabilities include searching Google to facilitate shopping for an item, using ChatGPT to learn more about something you are viewing, summarizing text, translating text, and more.
Image Wand
Image Wand transforms rough sketches into polished images in Notes. For example, if you draw a puppy freehand, you can circle it to generate a new image. Users can also circle words, key phrases, and handwritten notes to automatically create images relating to the content. If a blank space is circled, the Image Wand will gather context from its surroundings to generate images.
Conclusions
The new features in iOS 18.2 and beyond bring AI capabilities to the forefront, allowing users to create and interact with their devices in new and innovative ways. From generating emojis to transforming sketches into images, Apple’s latest update offers a range of exciting possibilities for users.
FAQs
Q: What is Genmoji?
A: Genmoji is a feature that allows users to generate emojis using text prompts that can then be sent as stickers, used inline with messages, or added to Tapback reactions.
Q: What is Image Playground?
A: Image Playground is a feature that allows users to create images from a combination of inputs, such as text prompts, existing images, themes, and descriptions, in different styles, including Animation or Illustration.
Q: What is Writing Tools?
A: Writing Tools is a feature that allows users to describe a change they’d like to make to text, such as altering the tone, giving the user more control and personalization options.
Q: How does ChatGPT work?
A: ChatGPT is a language model that can be used to generate human-like text and answer questions. It is integrated with Apple’s Writing Tools and Siri, allowing users to access its capabilities from within the native apps.
