Apple's anticipated iOS 18.2 update is expected in December, enhancing the capabilities introduced in iOS 18.1. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman suggests a release date of December 2, with confirmed Apple Intelligence features set to roll out in the U.S. English version initially. With a range of new tools designed to make interactions with Siri and other Apple apps more advanced, iOS 18.2 brings Apple closer to a fully AI-enhanced iPhone experience.
One of the standout features in iOS 18.2 is Genmoji, a unique, user-defined emoji feature that offers more flexibility than traditional emojis. Unlike Unicode emojis, Genmoji allows users to create almost any expression they imagine by describing their preferences. Apple has integrated a special API for seamless use in apps supporting rich text. Users can even design Genmojis resembling people in their photo library, making messaging and social interaction more personalized.
In a significant move, Apple is partnering with OpenAI to embed ChatGPT within Siri across iPhones, iPads, and Macs. This integration enables Siri to manage complex tasks and produce unique content with Writing Tools, taking Siri's abilities beyond simple commands. For instance, users can ask Siri to summarize lengthy PDFs, answer detailed queries, or create visuals—all tasks that are forwarded to ChatGPT for quick and relevant responses. Apple’s strategy here is to make Siri a direct gateway to powerful AI tools.
Apple’s Writing Tools are receiving an upgrade in iOS 18.2, offering users more control over tone and content customization. While iOS 18.1 allowed for adjustments to a friendly, professional, or simplified tone, the new update will enable custom tone settings. Users will be able to direct Siri to add action-oriented language or even transform a standard message into a poem, providing more options for personalized communication.
Owners of the latest iPhone models will benefit from Visual Intelligence, a new feature in iOS 18.2 that leverages the device's camera to provide detailed insights about objects and places. By simply pointing the camera at a restaurant, for instance, users can instantly view hours, reviews, and contact information. Visual Intelligence can also read text aloud, identify phone numbers, and link directly to relevant purchase options online. With Visual Intelligence, Apple is enhancing real-world interaction through AI-driven insights.
The Image Playground app is a fresh addition to the Apple ecosystem, allowing users to create custom images based on prompts. Designed for those seeking stylized graphics, this app supports creative visual generation in both Animation and Illustration formats. Users can draw inspiration from predefined themes, including locations and costumes, to develop unique visuals. Additionally, users can incorporate images of friends and family for added personalization, making it a highly interactive tool for artistic expression.
Mark Gurman has hinted that the next major update following iOS 18.2, iOS 18.4, is scheduled for April 2025. This version will reportedly enhance Siri’s ability to access and use data from the user’s device to provide relevant, context-aware answers based on information visible on the screen.
By integrating ChatGPT into Siri, Apple is positioning its virtual assistant as a central AI resource on iPhones. The upcoming improvements in iOS 18.4 will further empower Siri, enabling it to answer questions by referencing on-screen data, thus adding a layer of situational awareness.
The iOS 18.2 update marks a critical step in Apple’s journey toward a fully AI-integrated mobile ecosystem. With features like ChatGPT-powered Siri, Genmoji, Visual Intelligence, and Image Playground, Apple is pushing the boundaries of mobile AI to make daily tasks simpler and more interactive for iPhone users. As the December release approaches, users can look forward to a more versatile Siri and innovative tools that redefine personalization and convenience on Apple devices.