Apple Releases iOS 18.2 Public Beta With New AI Features and Waitlists
Apple opens its iOS 18.2 public beta, giving users access to AI tools like Genmoji, Image Playground, and ChatGPT integration with Siri. Some features still require users to join a waitlist before they can try them.
Apple releases the iOS 18.2 public beta, bringing its Apple Intelligence suite to everyday users for the first time. The update introduces highly anticipated AI tools like Genmoji for creating custom emojis, Image Playground for generating images from text prompts, and Image Wand for turning rough sketches into polished artwork. These capabilities were previously limited to developers but are now available for public testing.
Despite the public release, Apple requires users to join a waitlist to actually access some of these new AI features. Once granted access, users benefit from a smarter Siri that leverages a new ChatGPT integration to answer complex questions, write text, and create images. Paid ChatGPT subscribers can even log in to use their premium benefits directly through Apple's virtual assistant.
The true potential of Apple Intelligence lies in its integration with third-party applications across various categories like email, browsers, and document readers. Developers can tap into these AI tools to let users ask Siri to retrieve information or take actions within their apps. While consumers eagerly test the image generators and chatbot upgrades, this broader developer adoption ultimately shapes the long-term value of Apple's AI ecosystem.