Apple's Image Playground in iOS 18.2 Beta Launches Without Promised Sketch Feature

Apple Intelligence is missing this one feature in iOS 18.2 -- what you need to know

Image Playground is one of the big new features coming to iOS 18.2 next month, but it may not be quite what Apple promised. Back in June, at WWDC 2024, Apple claimed the image generation software would have three distinct styles: Animation, illustration and sketch. Well, apparently that's no longer the case. As reported by MacRumors, and confirmed by Tom's Guide AI Editor Ryan Morrison, Image Playground does not have a sketch option in the current beta versions of iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2 and MacOS Sequoia 15.2. Instead you're only met with options for animation and illustration. This could just be a quirk of the beta software, and Apple could introduce the sketch option at some point in the future. Either close to, or during the public rollout of iOS 18.2. However as MacRumors notes, all mention of the sketch option have been removed from the Image Playground app description, suggesting it won't be appearing anytime soon. Previously the description said that "The highly detailed and academic Sketch style produces gorgeous drawings on stark backgrounds." But clearly that's not something Apple is going to be able to offer for the time being. The iOS 18.2 beta is currently available for developers and the public, and is scheduled to be released to the general public at some point in December. Image Playground is one of the big features set to arrive, though if the rollout is anything like the beta you may have to join a lengthy waiting list before you can try it for yourself. This restriction currently applies to all image generation tools, including Genmoji and Image wand. Other big features on the way include the Visual Intelligence AI Vision for iPhone 16, ChatGPT support for Siri and other Apple Intelligence features, improvements to writing tools and plus a bunch of features that have nothing to do with AI. Like the ability to share locations in the Find My app, Battery Intelligence and better connections between your iPhone and Mac.

Apple quietly nixed this Apple Intelligence feature from iOS 18.2 | Digital Trends

One of the most highly anticipated features of Apple Intelligence, Image Playground, has finally launched in the iOS 18.2 developer and public betas. This artificial intelligence tool, announced in June, enables users to create cartoon-like images from text descriptions. Unfortunately, at least in the beta version, one of Image Playground's announced features is missing. As first noted on X by @nicolas09f9 (via MacRumors), Image Playground was once expected to feature three design styles: Animation, Illustration, and Sketch. For whatever reason, the latter isn't a choice in the beta. Recommended Videos The App Store preview for Image Playground has also been changed to no longer mention the Sketch style. The page used to say: "The highly detailed and academic Sketch style produces gorgeous drawings on stark backgrounds." The description now reads: "Animation style offers a whimsical, 3D cartoon look with expressive characters and cinematic environments. Illustration style is defined by strong outlines, simple shapes, and bold colors, providing uplifting and playful compositions." Interestingly, at least one paragraph on the App Store preview page still mentions the Sketch tool. It reads: "Image Playground, powered by Apple Intelligence, lets you turn descriptions, concepts, or people from your photo library into original, fun images in three unique styles." Furthermore, Sketch is also still mentioned on the Apple Intelligence preview page. Two possible explanations exist for why the Sketch option is no longer mentioned. The most likely reason is that it's not included simply because it's not a part of the current iOS 18.2 beta. This could change in a future beta version of iOS 18.2 or a later version. Another possibility is that Apple has decided to exclude the sketch option entirely, at least for the foreseeable future. Recently, I started testing Image Playground, and my initial impression is that this tool has great potential, but it still needs significant development before it's ready for public use. Therefore, I don't think we need to overanalyze the absence of the sketch tool at this point. It is likely that we will see the sketch tool introduced in a future iOS 18.2 beta or, at the latest, in iOS 18.3. I would be very surprised if Apple were to discontinue this feature permanently. In whatever form, Image Playground is expected to launch for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Some of its components could arrive for the general public as early as next month.