Apple Intelligence’s next move is ready here. After releasing the new version of Apple equipment with iOS 18.1, the company developed many new AI functions for the iPhone with the release of iOS 18.2. However, after using the latest additions in the beta versions, I am much more excited about the shape that Apple’s suite of tools is taking.
ChatGPT Integration With Siri
The most exciting new Apple Intelligence feature is Siri with ChatGPT, which has finally been realized. Siri had always been considered a joke, laughably inferior to other voice-activated assistants, and for good merit. The smart infusion of ChatGPT at last makes the virtual assistant so much better than I was looking forward to.
While it was previously able to perform fairly simple tasks like giving the weather forecast, showing a sports match score, or sending a message with the help of ChatGPT only, it is now unable to do much else. For complex queries, it would Google them and then show the search results on the iPhone display.
In most cases, when I wouldn’t necessarily go through that with Siri, I would then just pick up the phone and do the Google myself without any concerns about that extra step. Now, ChatGPT does a great job in these blancs.
Using the old Siri, a question like “What are some good dinner ideas?” would result in a Google search and more searching. The same question answered by the ChatGPT-Siri is answered in six different ways, and then a follow-up gives a complete recipe. With just one tap, you can copy the results on the screen into a document if necessary.
But it offers so much more than just a recipe, which can be done within about fifteen minutes. You can also turn to ChatGPT to write something or have it generate something based on your voice alone. Although the native ChatGPT site and the app introduced a nice voice mode, first, using Siri for the same is quite nice; second, it’s more convenient.
To make the integration even better, go under Settings> Apple Intelligence & Siri. Then select ChatGPT. Another one that you can – and I would recommend, is to turn off Confirm ChatGPT Requests. By default, whenever Siri wants to ask ChatGPT for an answer, it will always prompt the user to ask whether they wish to proceed.
This is for privacy purposes. However, in daily usage, it takes much more time to express each approval in words. Of course, there is a list of things that one should never, under any circumstance, share with any chatbot.
At the same time, you can enter your ChatGPT account from the same menu, whether you are a free user or a ChatGPT Plus user. This allows you to review all of your history with Siri over the internet or in the ChatGPT interface.
Visual Intelligence
The other product that must be highlighted is Visual Intelligence, although the software can be used only in the iPhone 16 series.
Where it is located depends on the device, but to turn this feature on, you long-press the Camera Control button. You can choose from two options: Search and Ask. The search employs Google to look for a match, whether it is while buying a certain product. You can inquire more about the image with the help of ChatGPT.
For example, I cropped an image of my water tumbler and used Search to find where I could buy another one. By choosing Ask, more details about the brand pop up with other questions, such as the price or how long the water can remain cold. I could also snap a shot of my dog, and the computer would recognize it as a beagle.
This can be very handy when you are out and about. For instance, you can take a photo of a restaurant and then have more information, such as opening hours or even the menu. Sometimes, it didn’t even work while testing, but it should improve because Apple is still learning what it is capable of. It also benefits another Camera Control button with a nice feature.
Image Playground
Another more entertaining application of Apple Intelligence in iOS 18.2 is the Image Playground. The app is an artificial intelligence tool that generates caricature-like pictures or illustrations based on text inputs.
So, where you start with a phrase such as “Dolphin driving a car.” You can then proceed and specialize such that “Turn the car purple,” or “Make the car a sports car and so on until one is satisfied with the final product. From the three presented, a user can swipe left or right and tap on an image to save it to the app’s gallery. Everything that can be saved can be altered again or passed on to other people.
If you’ve exhausted all of your ideas, the app also provides numerous ideas for themes, costumes, accessories, and locations, which you can begin populating an image with.
While you cannot directly choose a name, as the app then uses it, you can easily select a Photo Library, and the app will then use a photo from there. As soon as it is imported, you can work up a fun image. I can now appreciate what it feels like to be on the moon, with a top hat and bow tie, while having cheese.
It is quite entertaining to know how much Apple Intelligence can perform. It can’t help you become more efficient, but there’s no doubt you will grin.
Genmoji and Image Wand
However, two features integrate Image Playground technology, which is included with iOS 18.2.
The first is Genmoji in the Messages app. This means one can type in literally anything that comes into the mind to create an emoji to send. Just like Image Playground, where you tell the site what you want to see, Genmoji sets to work immediately. You can pull off something like “panda eating Chinese food” or “dog playing football.” Several choices are given, and then one can choose the one he or she prefers.
However, you will probably enjoy making an emoji of you or of other people even more. One of the regular emojis I use is the facepalm. Now, the Genmoji of myself allows me to have a more personalised version. I have already thought about other uses for family and friends. I wouldn’t be surprised if we start to witness a flood of distinctive Genmoji soon.
For now, Image Wand is only for Apple Notes, where you can paste an image into your Notes with the same gestures applied to Image Playground. You may begin with a completely blank canvas or exercise your creativity and make an image from the plain, handwritten or typed script. With an iPad, you can also input images that are actually drawn with an Apple Pencil.
Improved Writing Tools
Writing Tools was among the Apple Intelligence features introduced in iOS 18.1. The iOS 18.2 update renders the suite a whole lot more useful. The degree of improvement is possible not only compared to your text but also to anyone who wants the chatbot to write something from the ground up.
You can create text with the help of a chatbot simply by writing what you need. That’s a great help, and it can be done from anywhere on your iPhone.
To rewrite a given text, one has options beyond the Friendly, Professional, or Concise options available in iOS 18.1. These options allow you to define what has to be altered in the rewritten text.
It was clear that all Apple Intelligence features would roll out gradually over the next months, but the first wave contained in the iOS 18.1 release failed to set a clear path to the company’s future. Well, that seems to be gone; however, now that iOS 18.2 is out, I feel much better about AI features.
