iOS 18.2 Update: New Features and Enhancements for iPhone Users

Just installed iOS 18.2? You should try these 4 iPhone settings first

Overshadowed by the shiny AI features, the latest iPhone update brought multiple QOL improvements, such as the new Home Screen controls. iOS 18.2 rolled out earlier this month, introducing new features like Visual Intelligence and Image Playground. The AI updates may have taken center stage, but the patch also added several quality-of-life improvements to iPhones that you may not be aware of. They range from changing the layout of the Lock Screen to additional controls on the Photos app. The patch is quite large, so instead of going through every single update, we will highlight the most impactful changes. Also: The best iPhones you can buy right now (and if you should upgrade to iPhone 16) After you're done reading, you can install iOS 18.2 on your iPhone by opening the Settings menu and then going to General. Tap Software Update to find the patch. Be aware that you will need a phone capable of supporting iOS 18, like the iPhone 13 Pro. Note that the Apple Intelligence features are exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro and the iPhone 16 series. Unfortunately, older models don't support them. Starting with iOS 18.2, Apple finally allows users to arrange app icons in whatever order they please. Apps no longer automatically snap to a strict grid when moved, so you can leave some room open for the background wallpaper. Dark mode can also be applied to said Home Screen. Doing so darkens the wallpaper and changes the backgrounds for first-party apps from white to black. The dock at the bottom even becomes a dark gray. It's possible to keep the dark apps while reverting the wallpaper to Light mode by tapping the sun icon. Also: iOS 18.2 with Apple AI is available for iPhone. How to download it (and which models support it) There's also a Tinted option now. This lets you "paint" all the app icons on the Home Screen to a single color, be it red, blue, or green. iOS 18.2 lets people alter the luminosity as well. So you can either have icons sporting a rich hue or a pale one. Other notable changes include larger icons and the ability to alter the Control Center. On the Photos app, the Recently Viewed and Recently Shared albums can be wiped clean. Tap the three dots in the upper right corner to open a drop-down menu when looking at an image. Select "Removed All From Recently Viewed" (or Recently Shared if looking at that album) to wipe everything out. Don't worry about losing photos; it leaves the original file alone. Also: iPhone 16 Pro vs. iPhone 13 Pro: Should you upgrade to Apple's latest model? If you prefer clearing out an album one image at a time, you tap and hold the photo instead, then tap "Remove From Recently Viewed" in the context menu. Moreover, Apple is allowing users to disable the auto-loop function on Photos. The tool, in case you need a refresher, automatically restarts video playback once a clip finishes. This toggle can be found by heading to the Apps section of the Settings menu. Select Photos and hit the Loop Videos switch down near the bottom to turn it off. While we're on the topic of photography, this next feature is reportedly exclusive to the iPhone 16 line. Owners of the recent series can restrict the Camera Control button so that it only works when the screen is turned on. This helps prevent accidental presses while holding the iPhone horizontally (of course, this doesn't address accidental presses while watching a movie, so there is room for improvement). Also: We tested the iPhone 16 Pro camera system, and it's highly underrated - with one tragic flaw The option is located at the bottom of the Display and Brightness section inside the Settings menu. Just hit the toggle switch, and you're set. At the time of writing, it is unknown if the iPhone 15 series will also have this security feature. It is still a problem with the older models, so it would be great to see Apple expand the fix. Until then, Reddit users suggest changing the button's activation gesture to double-click in Settings. Apple's Find My feature is a handy tool for locating AirTags attached to lost items. As part of iOS 18.2, the tech giant is allowing users to share the location of an AirTag with major airlines to help find their lost luggage. 15 airlines, including United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Virgin Atlantic, and British Airways, support the update. The way it works is once you find the AirTag on your iPhone, you "tap the item that you want to share location updates for," then select Share Item Location. This creates a temporary webpage with a link you can share with an airline. Each airline has a different way of receiving the generated link. United Airlines, for example, asks people to submit the link to "delayed baggage report" to its official mobile app. It's recommended that you check with your airline on how to share the information.

Just installed iOS 18.2? Change these 4 iPhone settings for the best experience

Overshadowed by the shiny AI features, the latest iPhone update brought multiple QOL improvements, such as the new Home Screen controls. iOS 18.2 rolled out recently, introducing new features like Visual Intelligence and Image Playground. The AI updates may have taken center stage, but the patch also added several quality-of-life improvements to iPhones that you may not be aware of. They range from changing the layout of the Lock Screen to additional controls on the Photos app. The patch is quite large, so instead of going through every single update, we will highlight the most impactful changes. Also: The best iPhones you can buy right now (and if you should upgrade to iPhone 16) After you're done reading, you can install iOS 18.2 on your iPhone by opening the Settings menu and then going to General. Tap Software Update to find the patch. Be aware that you will need a phone capable of supporting iOS 18, like the iPhone 13 Pro. Note that the Apple Intelligence features are exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro and the iPhone 16 series. Unfortunately, older models don't support them. Starting with iOS 18.2, Apple finally allows users to arrange app icons in whatever order they please. Apps no longer automatically snap to a strict grid when moved, so you can leave some room open for the background wallpaper. Dark mode can also be applied to said Home Screen. Doing so darkens the wallpaper and changes the backgrounds for first-party apps from white to black. The dock at the bottom even becomes a dark gray. It's possible to keep the dark apps while reverting the wallpaper to Light mode by tapping the sun icon. Also: iOS 18.2 with Apple AI is available for iPhone. How to download it (and which models support it) There's also a Tinted option now. This lets you "paint" all the app icons on the Home Screen to a single color, be it red, blue, or green. iOS 18.2 lets people alter the luminosity as well. So you can either have icons sporting a rich hue or a pale one. Other notable changes include larger icons and the ability to alter the Control Center. On the Photos app, the Recently Viewed and Recently Shared albums can be wiped clean. Tap the three dots in the upper right corner to open a drop-down menu when looking at an image. Select "Removed All From Recently Viewed" (or Recently Shared if looking at that album) to wipe everything out. Don't worry about losing photos; it leaves the original file alone. Also: iPhone 16 Pro vs. iPhone 13 Pro: Should you upgrade to Apple's latest model? If you prefer clearing out an album one image at a time, you tap and hold the photo instead, then tap "Remove From Recently Viewed" in the context menu. Moreover, Apple is allowing users to disable the auto-loop function on Photos. The tool, in case you need a refresher, automatically restarts video playback once a clip finishes. This toggle can be found by heading to the Apps section of the Settings menu. Select Photos and hit the Loop Videos switch down near the bottom to turn it off. While we're on the topic of photography, this next feature is reportedly exclusive to the iPhone 16 line. Owners of the recent series can restrict the Camera Control button so that it only works when the screen is turned on. This helps prevent accidental presses while holding the iPhone horizontally (of course, this doesn't address accidental presses while watching a movie, so there is room for improvement). Also: We tested the iPhone 16 Pro camera system, and it's highly underrated - with one tragic flaw The option is located at the bottom of the Display and Brightness section inside the Settings menu. Just hit the toggle switch, and you're set. At the time of writing, it is unknown if the iPhone 15 series will also have this security feature. It is still a problem with the older models, so it would be great to see Apple expand the fix. Until then, Reddit users suggest changing the button's activation gesture to double-click in Settings. Apple's Find My feature is a handy tool for locating AirTags attached to lost items. As part of iOS 18.2, the tech giant is allowing users to share the location of an AirTag with major airlines to help find their lost luggage. 15 airlines, including United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Virgin Atlantic, and British Airways, support the update. The way it works is once you find the AirTag on your iPhone, you "tap the item that you want to share location updates for," then select Share Item Location. This creates a temporary webpage with a link you can share with an airline. Each airline has a different way of receiving the generated link. United Airlines, for example, asks people to submit the link to "delayed baggage report" to its official mobile app. It's recommended that you check with your airline on how to share the information.

iOS 18.2 Hidden Gems: Unlock These Amazing Features!

Apple's iOS 18.2 introduces a host of innovative features designed to enhance how you interact with your iPhone or iPad. From AI-powered tools to expanded customization options and improved accessibility, this update ensures your device adapts to your needs seamlessly. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a creative professional, or simply looking for a more personalized experience, iOS 18.2 offers something for everyone. The video below from HotshotTek gives us a look at a range of features in the latest iOS update. The Notes app now includes an AI drawing tool, which transforms basic sketches into detailed images. This feature is perfect for artists, designers, and anyone who enjoys visual brainstorming. For productivity, ChatGPT integration brings advanced conversational AI directly to your device, assisting with tasks like drafting emails, brainstorming ideas, or answering complex questions. This integration streamlines your workflow and provides intelligent assistance whenever you need it. Additionally, the Visual Intelligence feature uses your camera to identify objects and provide detailed information, making it a valuable tool for students, travelers, and curious minds. Simply point your camera at an object, and your device will display relevant information, helping you learn and explore the world around you. Core apps in iOS 18.2 receive significant updates to improve functionality and usability. The Photos app now supports text alignment for captions, allowing you to create visually appealing layouts for your images. It also displays precise timestamps on video sliders, simplifying the editing process and helping you locate specific moments within your recordings. You can also toggle auto-looping for videos, giving you greater control over playback. The Podcast app introduces category-based search, making it easier to organize and favorite specific genres. This feature helps you discover new podcasts that align with your interests and keeps your library well-organized. Meanwhile, the Mail app brings back the classic list view, catering to users who prefer a simpler, more familiar interface for managing their emails. In Safari, you can now personalize your browsing experience with custom wallpapers, including the option to upload your own images. This feature allows you to create a unique and visually appealing browser environment that reflects your style and preferences. iOS 18.2 emphasizes customization, allowing you to make your device truly your own. You can now set default apps for email, messaging, and calls, streamlining your workflow and ensuring your preferred apps are always at your fingertips. Dark mode adaptation has also been refined, with app icons and sharing menus adjusting seamlessly to your chosen theme, creating a cohesive and visually pleasing experience. For music lovers, a third-party app offers a retro interface that mimics the classic iPod experience, complete with customizable playback options. This nostalgic feature is perfect for those who miss the simplicity of older devices while enjoying modern functionality. It combines the best of both worlds, providing a familiar interface with the advanced capabilities of iOS 18.2. Apple continues to prioritize accessibility with iOS 18.2. The always-show volume control slider ensures quick access to audio adjustments directly from the lock screen, making it easier for users to manage their device's volume without navigating through menus. AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) now support hearing aid functionality in more regions, making them an essential tool for users with hearing impairments. This expanded compatibility ensures that more users can benefit from the advanced features of AirPods Pro. The Apple Watch also gains new features, including the ability to pause and resume video recording and set speaker volume limits. These updates enhance the functionality of the Apple Watch, making it a more versatile and user-friendly companion device. Additionally, the hotspot functionality has been expanded, allowing you to use your iPhone as a hotspot even while mirroring your screen to a Mac. This feature provides seamless connectivity and flexibility when working across multiple devices. Finding and enjoying content is easier than ever with iOS 18.2. Apple Music now supports searches by mood or theme, helping you discover playlists that match your vibe. This feature enhances the music discovery experience, allowing you to find the perfect soundtrack for any occasion or emotion. Similarly, Apple TV has improved its search capabilities, making it simpler to locate specific shows or genres. With these upgrades, you can spend less time searching and more time enjoying your favorite entertainment. For content creators, the Voice Memo app introduces advanced audio editing tools, including the ability to overlay recordings and adjust layers with a mixer tool. These updates make it a powerful resource for podcasters and audio enthusiasts alike, providing a mobile-friendly solution for creating and editing high-quality audio content. iOS 18.2 pushes the boundaries of what your device can do while offering a nod to the past. The iPhone 16 Action Button now launches Visual Intelligence, allowing you to identify objects and access related information instantly. This feature is particularly useful for students, travelers, and anyone eager to learn more about their surroundings. With a simple press of the Action Button, you can unlock a world of knowledge and discovery. For those who enjoy a touch of nostalgia, the retro app experience recreates the charm of early digital music players. This feature combines the simplicity and aesthetics of classic devices with the advanced capabilities of iOS 18.2. It offers a unique and nostalgic way to interact with your music library, appealing to users who appreciate the blend of old and new. iOS 18.2 delivers a well-rounded update that caters to a wide range of users. With its blend of AI-powered tools, enhanced app functionality, and expanded accessibility, this update ensures your iPhone or iPad remains at the forefront of technology. Whether you're exploring creative possibilities, optimizing your daily tasks, or personalizing your device, iOS 18.2 offers features that elevate your experience. From the AI-driven Playground and Gen Emoji tools to the improved Photos and Podcast apps, iOS 18.2 provides a wealth of enhancements that make your device more intuitive and efficient. The emphasis on customization allows you to tailor your iPhone or iPad to your specific preferences, while the accessibility features ensure that everyone can benefit from the latest advancements. With iOS 18.2, Apple continues to push the boundaries of what's possible with mobile technology. This update combines innovative innovation with familiar interfaces, creating a seamless and enjoyable user experience. Whether you're a long-time Apple user or new to the ecosystem, iOS 18.2 offers a compelling reason to explore the full potential of your device.

iOS 18.2: 20+ Hidden Features You NEED to Know!

Apple's iOS 18.2 update is a testament to the company's commitment to delivering innovative features that enhance user experience across iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches. This update is not just about incremental improvements; it's a bold step towards a more personalized, AI-driven, and seamlessly connected ecosystem. With a host of innovative tools and refined functionality, iOS 18.2 empowers users to customize their devices, boost productivity, and integrate with smart home systems like never before. The video below from Nikmias Molina shows us a range of hidden features in the latest iOS update. One of the most exciting additions in iOS 18.2 is the ability to create custom emojis. This feature taps into the power of AI to bring your imagination to life. By simply describing your desired emoji in text, you can generate personalized designs that reflect your unique style and preferences. Whether you want to create a themed set of emojis for a special occasion or express yourself with a one-of-a-kind visual, this tool makes it easy and fun. But the creative possibilities don't stop there. iOS 18.2 also introduces an AI-powered image generation tool that converts text into custom visuals. This feature is a catalyst for students, designers, and content creators who need to quickly generate images for projects or presentations. Integrated directly into the Notes app, this tool streamlines the creative process and ensures that your visual needs are met with minimal effort. iOS 18.2 takes smart home integration to the next level with enhanced support for Matter-enabled devices. The Level Lock+ now seamlessly integrates with Apple Home, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings, and Alexa, giving you more flexibility in managing your home security. With Apple Home Key support, you can unlock your door using your iPhone or Apple Watch, making it more convenient than ever to access your home. But convenience doesn't come at the cost of security. iOS 18.2 offers customizable access codes and remote access options, ensuring that you have complete control over who enters your home. This enhanced smart home integration, combined with the peace of mind that comes with advanced security features, makes iOS 18.2 an essential update for anyone looking to create a smarter, safer living space. Siri has always been a reliable virtual assistant, but with the integration of ChatGPT in iOS 18.2, it becomes an even more powerful tool. This update enables Siri to handle complex queries and provide detailed, conversational responses. By signing in with ChatGPT Plus, you can unlock seamless functionality and even choose from new Siri voices with regional accents, making your interactions with Siri feel more natural and intuitive. Whether you need help managing your schedule, finding information online, or controlling your smart home devices, Siri with ChatGPT integration is up to the task. This enhancement positions Siri as a more capable and efficient assistant, ready to help you navigate your daily life with ease. iOS 18.2 takes mobile photography to new heights with advanced camera capabilities and visual recognition. The camera now features advanced visual intelligence that can recognize objects, landmarks, and text in real-time. This opens up a world of possibilities for users who rely on their devices for quick, on-the-go information. For instance, you can easily translate text directly from an image, making it a valuable tool for travelers or language learners. You can also search for products or locations using Google, streamlining your shopping or navigation experiences. Photography enthusiasts will appreciate the new AE/AF lock feature, which allows for precise focus control, bringing professional-level functionality to your iPhone's camera. iOS 18.2 brings a host of refinements and customization options that elevate the overall user experience. The Mail app now features automatic email categorization, sorting your messages into Primary, Transactions, Updates, and Promotions. This, combined with the redesigned interface and larger contact photos, makes managing your inbox more efficient and visually appealing. The update also gives you more control over your device by allowing you to set default apps for email, browsing, and other functions. This flexibility ensures that you can tailor your device to your preferences, whether you favor Apple's native apps or third-party alternatives. The Find My app also receives an upgrade, with enhanced AirTag sharing capabilities. You can now share the location of your AirTag with trusted individuals or even airlines, making it easier to recover lost items. This feature is particularly useful for frequent travelers who want an extra layer of convenience and peace of mind. Other notable improvements include the ability to set maximum volume limits for media playback, ensuring consistent audio levels without affecting calls or alarms. The Control Center also gets a boost with the addition of a "Type to Siri" widget, allowing you to type queries directly to Siri when speaking aloud isn't practical. iOS 18.2 is more than just an incremental update; it's a significant leap forward in terms of personalization, AI integration, and cross-platform compatibility. With a wide array of innovative features and refined functionality, this update empowers users to customize their devices, streamline their daily tasks, and unlock new levels of creativity and convenience. Whether you're a student, professional, or simply someone who wants to make the most of their Apple devices, iOS 18.2 has something to offer. From creating custom emojis and generating images with AI to enhancing smart home integration and boosting Siri's capabilities, this update is designed to elevate your iOS experience across the board. As Apple continues to push the boundaries of what's possible with mobile technology, iOS 18.2 sets the stage for a new era of innovation and user-centric design. Embrace the power of personalization, AI, and seamless connectivity, and discover how iOS 18.2 can transform the way you interact with your devices.

iOS 18.2: New Features You Need to Know About

Apple's latest software update, iOS 18.2, brings a host of new features and enhancements to the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. This release focuses on improving functionality, integrating advanced AI tools, and refining the overall user experience. With notable updates to core apps, the introduction of powerful AI-driven features, and performance optimizations, iOS 18.2 aims to reshape how users interact with their devices. Let's dive into the key aspects of this update and explore their implications for Apple's ecosystem and the broader tech landscape in the latest video from Brandon Butch. iOS 18.2 introduces significant improvements to several core apps and services: These updates demonstrate Apple's commitment to enhancing the functionality and user experience of its core apps, catering to a wide range of user needs and preferences. Artificial intelligence takes a central role in iOS 18.2, with the introduction of several powerful tools designed to boost creativity and productivity: While these AI features have been well-received for their ease of use and potential to streamline tasks, it's important to note that prolonged use may lead to device heating and faster battery drain. Users may need to adjust their usage habits to mitigate these issues. iOS 18.2 delivers noticeable performance improvements, with faster app launches and smoother multitasking. Battery life remains consistent under typical usage, but heavy reliance on AI tools may result in quicker depletion. To extend battery life, users can consider moderating their usage of AI features or allowing power-saving settings. Looking ahead, Apple plans to release the iOS 18.3 beta in mid-December, with no additional updates expected until January 2024. However, delays in iOS 19 development suggest that Apple is prioritizing the refinement of its current software offerings. On the hardware front, leaks about the iPhone 17 hint at several exciting changes: These developments showcase Apple's ongoing efforts to innovate and improve its hardware offerings, setting the stage for future advancements in mobile technology. Apple's shift toward in-house chip development, including 5G modems and Bluetooth/Wi-Fi chips, underscores its strategy to reduce reliance on third-party suppliers. This move promises greater efficiency and cost savings but also intensifies competition with established chipmakers. Meanwhile, rising subscription costs for services like YouTube TV highlight a growing concern among consumers about the increasing expense of digital ecosystems. This trend could influence how companies, including Apple, price their services in the future. iOS 18.2 also brings some exciting news for mobile gaming enthusiasts, with the release of Resident Evil 2 on iOS at a limited-time discount. This showcases the platform's growing gaming capabilities and the potential for more high-quality titles to come. In conclusion, iOS 18.2 reflects Apple's commitment to innovation and user experience, offering a mix of exciting features and practical improvements. While the update introduces tools that enhance creativity and productivity, it also highlights challenges such as battery drain and software delays. As Apple continues to refine its ecosystem, these advancements pave the way for future developments in mobile technology, setting the stage for what's to come in the ever-evolving world of smartphones and tablets.

iOS 18.2 is Here! Don't Miss These Awesome New Features

Apple's latest update, iOS 18.2, introduces a comprehensive set of AI-powered tools that transform the way you create, edit, and collaborate across your Apple devices. This update caters to a wide range of users, including professionals, students, and hobbyists, by offering features that streamline workflows and unlock new creative possibilities. The video below from Matt Talks Tech gives us a look at the latest features in iOS 18.2. At the heart of iOS 18.2 lies Apple Intelligence, a sophisticated AI system that transforms the way you generate and manipulate text and images. With the integration of ChatGPT into the Notes app, you can effortlessly produce high-quality content such as reports, emails, or creative stories. This feature significantly reduces the time and effort required for writing tasks while maintaining exceptional quality. For visual projects, the newly introduced Image Playground app provides a comprehensive set of tools to create, customize, and refine graphics. Whether you need to quickly generate a concept or craft a detailed visual, this app seamlessly integrates with Notes and Pages, allowing you to embed AI-generated images directly into your documents. Photography enthusiasts will greatly benefit from the enhanced photo editing features in iOS 18.2. The intelligent Cleanup Tool enables you to carefully remove unwanted objects or distractions from your photos while preserving the natural lighting and shadows. This feature proves invaluable in scenarios such as removing photobombers or eliminating clutter from your images. Moreover, the advanced editing options ensure that your adjustments maintain the integrity and quality of the original image. Whether you're fine-tuning a casual snapshot or preparing a professional portfolio, these tools deliver impressive results that meet the highest standards. Apple Pencil users will find their creative workflow greatly enhanced with iOS 18.2. The update allows you to sketch intricate illustrations and refine them using AI-powered adjustments. For instance, if you draw a terrarium, the system can intelligently smooth lines, adjust proportions, and add realistic textures, elevating your artwork to a presentation-ready state. These features are particularly beneficial for designers, educators, and anyone who values precision and efficiency in their creative projects. The AI-assisted tools streamline the process of creating polished and professional-looking visuals. The AI-powered tools in iOS 18.2 extend their functionality to MacOS, simplifying document creation on your Mac. With ChatGPT integrated into the Pages app, you can quickly draft itineraries, proposals, or other documents with ease. The intuitive drag-and-drop functionality allows you to seamlessly incorporate AI-generated images directly into your files, streamlining the process of creating visually compelling presentations. This cross-device integration ensures a smooth and efficient workflow, regardless of whether you're working on a Mac, iPad, or iPhone. Your projects stay synchronized and up-to-date across all your Apple devices. iOS 18.2 prioritizes usability, making its powerful tools accessible to users of all skill levels. The seamless cross-device synchronization ensures that your projects remain up-to-date across iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, allowing you to switch between devices without losing progress or compromising on functionality. The customizable layouts for text and images provide flexibility, allowing you to tailor your creations to your specific needs and preferences. Whether you're designing a professional report, editing a photo, or sketching a concept, the tools adapt to your workflow seamlessly, providing an intuitive and efficient user experience. With iOS 18.2, Apple has delivered a transformative update that redefines creativity and productivity. The AI-driven text and image generation, advanced photo editing capabilities, and seamless cross-device integration empower you to work smarter and create with precision. Whether you're crafting professional documents, exploring artistic projects, or managing everyday tasks, this update ensures that your tools keep pace with your imagination and enable you to achieve exceptional results.

iOS 18.2: The Latest Apple Intelligence Features and More on Your iPhone

You can download the update by going to Settings > General > Software Update, tapping Update Now and following the prompts on your screen. Here are some of the features that landed on your iPhone with iOS 18.2. Note that before you use Apple Intelligence, you have to request it for your iPhone. To do so, go to Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri and tap Get Apple Intelligence. Apple announced at WWDC in May that its virtual assistant Siri was soon entering a "new era" thanks to Apple Intelligence enhancements. And Apple is bringing most of those enhancements to some iPhones with iOS 18.2. With Apple Intelligence, instead of seeing a logo pop up on your screen when you activate Siri, you'll see a glowing light around your screen. You can use Siri like you normally would, and you can also access ChatGPT for your queries. Whenever you're using an AI chatbot, remember that results may not be accurate and may vary even if you ask the same question twice. I asked Siri to use ChatGPT to show me how to brew a cup of coffee, and at first, it wrote out a seven-step process on how to make drip coffee in a standard brewer. Those instructions were a little wonky, telling me to measure out my water and coffee grounds before grinding my coffee beans. Another time, I asked the same thing and Siri gave me a five-step process, which was more accurate. There is a disclaimer at the bottom of these ChatGPT requests that reads, "Check important info for mistakes." You can also copy what Siri and ChatGPT show you by tapping a button in the top right corner of the window that shows two pieces of paper. Then, you can paste the response in a message or a note if you want -- but again, you should verify the details of your request. Read more: ChatGPT Gets Integrated Into Siri With iOS 18.2 There are over 3,000 emoji you can use, but sometimes you can't find the one you really want. Genmoji is here to help. With the Apple Intelligence Genmoji feature, you can describe the emoji you're looking for and iPhones with Apple Intelligence will attempt to generate a new emoji based on your description. To use Genmoji, go into a message and tap the emoji keyboard in the bottom left corner of your keyboard. Then, type the emoji you're looking for into the search bar. If there isn't an emoji that matches your description, tap Create New Emoji just below the search bar. Your iPhone will then show you a few variations of what it came up with based on your description. You can swipe through the emoji, and when you find a Genmoji you like, tap Add in the top right corner to permanently add that new emoji to your keyboard. Read more: How to Create Custom Emoji With Genmoji and AI This is Apple's answer to Google Lens. Visual Intelligence is an Apple Intelligence feature that lets you point your camera at something, like a dog, and your iPhone will then use the photo to search online to help you identify it. The feature can also be used to detect phone numbers to create contacts, scan QR codes and translate languages. You can also integrate this feature with ChatGPT to help you identify items, as well as to help you better understand what's on a page or screen. Note that you don't need a ChatGPT account to use the integration. This feature is also only available on the iPhone 16 lineup since it utilizes the series' new camera control side-button. If you have one of the new iPhones, long press the new side-button where the SIM card tray used to be to quickly pull up Visual Intelligence. "The camera control provides instant, easy access to the camera with just a click. It allows you to adjust various camera features simply by sliding your finger," Apple said at its Glowtime event in September. "Its convenient design ensures it's always within reach." This Apple Intelligence feature takes Genmoji one step further and lets you create whole images based on text prompts in a tool called Image Playground. This feature is a standalone app and it can also be found in Message by tapping the plus (+) button to the left of your text box. Image Playground is filled with prompt suggestions, themes, places and more to get you started. You can enter multiple prompts to make the image more specific, but once I entered seven prompts a popup appeared telling me to use fewer. There's also an option to change the art style from the default cartoony 3D images to illustrations. If you want to put yourself, friends, family or your pet into one of these images, you can. Tap the plus (+) sign in the bottom right corner and then tap either Choose Photo or Take Photo. You'll still have to choose or enter a prompt in addition to the photo. The feature can create some simple images, and it can be unintentionally funny with how weird other images are. In one instance, I selected the prompts astronaut, artist and lighthouse. One of the results showed an astronaut leaning against what I Imagine is an invisible stool while painting a multicolor beach scene. But for some reason there's a lighthouse just floating in the background. Phenomenal work. You can also draw a sketch in Notes, select your sketch and then use it with Visual Playground. That way you can either clean up your sketch, or if -- like me -- you're not an artist, you can use the feature to flesh out your sketch. Read more: Everything You Need to Know About Image Playground The Find My app can be used to locate things like your AirPods and MacBook, and with iOS 18.2, Apple makes it easy for everyone to get help finding lost items. If you go into Find My > Items and tap one of your items, you have two new options: Share Item Location and Show Contact Info. If you enable Share Item Location, Find My will create a link that you can share with others so they can notify you if they find your lost or missing item. This could be especially helpful as we head into the holidays as more people are traveling and losing luggage at airports or leaving items behind. These links expire after one week, though, which may not be enough time to find them. If you enable Show Contact Info, others can connect to lost items so they can find ways to contact you and bring your item back to you. The Mail app on every iPhone also gets an upgrade in iOS 18.2. Apple announced in September that Mail would soon be able to sort emails to multiple categories to keep your important emails in one place and ads or promotions in another, like Gmail and Outlook do. The new layout keeps things mostly tidy, but Mail doesn't always get it right. For example, I found an email for digital tickets I previously ordered in the Promotions category rather than the Primary category. You don't have to use the new layout if you don't want to. To change your Mail layout back, go into Mail, tap the three dots (...) in the top right corner and tap List View. Read more: What to Know About Mail Categories and How to Disable Them Apple previously removed the volume slider on the iPhone's lock screen. You could still use the volume buttons on the side of your iPhone, but it wasn't as precise as the slider. With iOS 18.2, you can add the slider back to your lock screen. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Audio and Visual and tap the toggle next to Always Show Volume Control. Now, whether you're listening to a podcast or music from one of Apple's apps or a third-party app the volume slider will be present on your lock screen. If you have kids who like to play games or watch videos on their iPhones and they set the music to full blast, that could damage their device's speakers -- not to mention that it could be annoying to you. But iOS 18.2 lets set a maximum volume limit on an iPhone. To set a limit go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Volume Limit and tap the toggle next to Limit Maximum Volume. A scale will appear and you can select what you want the limit to be. Apple does note that this limit doesn't apply to things like phone calls, FaceTime calls, emergency calls or Find My sounds. If you like using another messaging or email apps, like Signal or Gmail, over Apple's native apps, you can change your default apps to those other apps in iOS 18.2. Go to Settings > Apps > Default Apps and then you can change which apps your iPhone uses automatically for sending messages, emails, browsing the web and more. Apple launched Apple News Plus in 2019. Since then the tech company has made some changes to its news aggregator service, like the addition of the Quartiles puzzles. With iOS 18.2, Apple is bringing Sudoku to Apple News Plus subscribers. If you subscribe to Apple News Plus ($13 a month) go to News > Following > Puzzles to play the latest Sudoku puzzle. Every day Apple launches a few of these puzzles, each ranging in difficulty, so there's always a new brain-teaser to play. Read more: Apple Intelligence's New Notification Summary Feature Can Be Absurdly Wrong If you have any phones from the iPhone 16 lineup, you have the Camera Control button. You have to press this twice to open your camera if your screen is asleep or inactive, but Apple introduced a new toggle in the iOS 18.2 so that you can press the Camera Control once to open your camera even if your screen is off. To do this, go to Settings > Display & Brightness and tap the toggle next to Require Screen On to disable the feature. Now if you press the Camera Control while your screen is off, your iPhone will open your Camera without a second press. However, it could also lead to accidentally opening your camera more often. Here are the full release notes for iOS 18.2. Apple Intelligence (All iPhone 16 models, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max) 4. Image Wand turns sketches and handwritten or typed notes into images in Notes. Camera Control (iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max) This update also includes the following improvements and bug fixes: Some features may not be available for all regions or on all Apple devices.

Download iOS 18.2 Now for ChatGPT in Siri, New AI Features and More

You can download the update by going to Settings > General > Software Update, tapping Update Now and following the prompts on your screen. Here are some of the features that landed on your iPhone with iOS 18.2. Note that before you use Apple Intelligence, you have to request it for your iPhone. To do so, go to Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri and tap Get Apple Intelligence. Apple announced at WWDC in May that its virtual assistant Siri was soon entering a "new era" thanks to Apple Intelligence enhancements. And Apple is bringing most of those enhancements to some iPhones with iOS 18.2. With Apple Intelligence, instead of seeing a logo pop up on your screen when you activate Siri, you'll see a glowing light around your screen. You can use Siri like you normally would, and you can also access ChatGPT for your queries. Whenever you're using an AI chatbot, remember that results may not be accurate and may vary even if you ask the same question twice. I asked Siri to use ChatGPT to show me how to brew a cup of coffee, and at first, it wrote out a seven-step process on how to make drip coffee in a standard brewer. Those instructions were a little wonky, telling me to measure out my water and coffee grounds before grinding my coffee beans. Another time, I asked the same thing and Siri gave me a five-step process, which was more accurate. There is a disclaimer at the bottom of these ChatGPT requests that reads, "Check important info for mistakes." You can also copy what Siri and ChatGPT show you by tapping a button in the top right corner of the window that shows two pieces of paper. Then, you can paste the response in a message or a note if you want -- but again, you should verify the details of your request. Read more: ChatGPT Gets Integrated Into Siri With iOS 18.2 There are over 3,000 emoji you can use, but sometimes you can't find the one you really want. Genmoji is here to help. With the Apple Intelligence Genmoji feature, you can describe the emoji you're looking for and iPhones with Apple Intelligence will attempt to generate a new emoji based on your description. To use Genmoji, go into a message and tap the emoji keyboard in the bottom left corner of your keyboard. Then, type the emoji you're looking for into the search bar. If there isn't an emoji that matches your description, tap Create New Emoji just below the search bar. Your iPhone will then show you a few variations of what it came up with based on your description. You can swipe through the emoji, and when you find a Genmoji you like, tap Add in the top right corner to permanently add that new emoji to your keyboard. Read more: How to Create Custom Emoji With Genmoji and AI This is Apple's answer to Google Lens. Visual Intelligence is an Apple Intelligence feature that lets you point your camera at something, like a dog, and your iPhone will then use the photo to search online to help you identify it. The feature can also be used to detect phone numbers to create contacts, scan QR codes and translate languages. You can also integrate this feature with ChatGPT to help you identify items, as well as to help you better understand what's on a page or screen. Note that you don't need a ChatGPT account to use the integration. This feature is also only available on the iPhone 16 lineup since it utilizes the series' new camera control side-button. If you have one of the new iPhones, long press the new side-button where the SIM card tray used to be to quickly pull up Visual Intelligence. "The camera control provides instant, easy access to the camera with just a click. It allows you to adjust various camera features simply by sliding your finger," Apple said at its Glowtime event in September. "Its convenient design ensures it's always within reach." This Apple Intelligence feature takes Genmoji one step further and lets you create whole images based on text prompts in a tool called Image Playground. This feature is a standalone app and it can also be found in Message by tapping the plus (+) button to the left of your text box. Image Playground is filled with prompt suggestions, themes, places and more to get you started. You can enter multiple prompts to make the image more specific, but once I entered seven prompts a popup appeared telling me to use fewer. There's also an option to change the art style from the default cartoony 3D images to illustrations. If you want to put yourself, friends, family or your pet into one of these images, you can. Tap the plus (+) sign in the bottom right corner and then tap either Choose Photo or Take Photo. You'll still have to choose or enter a prompt in addition to the photo. The feature can create some simple images, and it can be unintentionally funny with how weird other images are. In one instance, I selected the prompts astronaut, artist and lighthouse. One of the results showed an astronaut leaning against what I Imagine is an invisible stool while painting a multicolor beach scene. But for some reason there's a lighthouse just floating in the background. Phenomenal work. You can also draw a sketch in Notes, select your sketch and then use it with Visual Playground. That way you can either clean up your sketch, or if -- like me -- you're not an artist, you can use the feature to flesh out your sketch. Read more: Everything You Need to Know About Image Playground The Find My app can be used to locate things like your AirPods and MacBook, and with iOS 18.2, Apple makes it easy for everyone to get help finding lost items. If you go into Find My > Items and tap one of your items, you have two new options: Share Item Location and Show Contact Info. If you enable Share Item Location, Find My will create a link that you can share with others so they can notify you if they find your lost or missing item. This could be especially helpful as we head into the holidays as more people are traveling and losing luggage at airports or leaving items behind. These links expire after one week, though, which may not be enough time to find them. If you enable Show Contact Info, others can connect to lost items so they can find ways to contact you and bring your item back to you. The Mail app on every iPhone also gets an upgrade in iOS 18.2. Apple announced in September that Mail would soon be able to sort emails to multiple categories to keep your important emails in one place and ads or promotions in another, like Gmail and Outlook do. The new layout keeps things mostly tidy, but Mail doesn't always get it right. For example, I found an email for digital tickets I previously ordered in the Promotions category rather than the Primary category. You don't have to use the new layout if you don't want to. To change your Mail layout back, go into Mail, tap the three dots (...) in the top right corner and tap List View. Read more: What to Know About Mail Categories and How to Disable Them Apple previously removed the volume slider on the iPhone's lock screen. You could still use the volume buttons on the side of your iPhone, but it wasn't as precise as the slider. With iOS 18.2, you can add the slider back to your lock screen. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Audio and Visual and tap the toggle next to Always Show Volume Control. Now, whether you're listening to a podcast or music from one of Apple's apps or a third-party app the volume slider will be present on your lock screen. If you have kids who like to play games or watch videos on their iPhones and they set the music to full blast, that could damage their device's speakers -- not to mention that it could be annoying to you. But iOS 18.2 lets set a maximum volume limit on an iPhone. To set a limit go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Volume Limit and tap the toggle next to Limit Maximum Volume. A scale will appear and you can select what you want the limit to be. Apple does note that this limit doesn't apply to things like phone calls, FaceTime calls, emergency calls or Find My sounds. If you like using another messaging or email apps, like Signal or Gmail, over Apple's native apps, you can change your default apps to those other apps in iOS 18.2. Go to Settings > Apps > Default Apps and then you can change which apps your iPhone uses automatically for sending messages, emails, browsing the web and more. Apple launched Apple News Plus in 2019. Since then the tech company has made some changes to its news aggregator service, like the addition of the Quartiles puzzles. With iOS 18.2, Apple is bringing Sudoku to Apple News Plus subscribers. If you subscribe to Apple News Plus ($13 a month) go to News > Following > Puzzles to play the latest Sudoku puzzle. Every day Apple launches a few of these puzzles, each ranging in difficulty, so there's always a new brain-teaser to play. Read more: Apple Intelligence's New Notification Summary Feature Can Be Absurdly Wrong If you have any phones from the iPhone 16 lineup, you have the Camera Control button. You have to press this twice to open your camera if your screen is asleep or inactive, but Apple introduced a new toggle in the iOS 18.2 so that you can press the Camera Control once to open your camera even if your screen is off. To do this, go to Settings > Display & Brightness and tap the toggle next to Require Screen On to disable the feature. Now if you press the Camera Control while your screen is off, your iPhone will open your Camera without a second press. However, it could also lead to accidentally opening your camera more often. Here are the full release notes for iOS 18.2. Apple Intelligence (All iPhone 16 models, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max) 4. Image Wand turns sketches and handwritten or typed notes into images in Notes. Camera Control (iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max) This update also includes the following improvements and bug fixes: Some features may not be available for all regions or on all Apple devices.

iOS 18.2: Don't Miss These 10 New Features

Apple's iOS 18.2 update delivers a comprehensive set of features designed to elevate the user experience across various aspects of the operating system. This update focuses on enhancing privacy and security, integrating smarter AI capabilities, expanding widget functionality, and offering more customization options. Additionally, it brings performance and stability improvements, refined multitasking tools, accessibility upgrades, and enhancements to native apps like Messages, Mail, Safari, and Calendar. The video below from iReviews gives us a look at some new features in this release. iOS 18.2 demonstrates Apple's unwavering commitment to safeguarding user data and privacy. The introduction of app-specific permissions grants users granular control over how apps access sensitive information such as location, microphone, and camera. This empowers users to make informed decisions about which apps can access their data, ensuring a higher level of privacy protection. Moreover, the update implements on-device encryption for messaging and photo storage. This security measure ensures that sensitive information remains private and secure, even if the device is compromised. By prioritizing data protection, iOS 18.2 reinforces Apple's position as a leader in user privacy and security. iOS 18.2 takes a significant leap forward in leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance user interactions and streamline tasks. Siri, Apple's virtual assistant, now demonstrates a deeper understanding of context, allowing more natural and accurate conversations. This improvement allows users to communicate with Siri in a more intuitive manner, making the assistant more helpful and efficient in completing tasks. The Photos app also benefits from AI integration, with intelligent suggestions for edits like cropping and color adjustments. This feature saves users time and effort while ensuring their images look their best. By harnessing the power of AI, iOS 18.2 delivers a smarter and more personalized user experience. For users who rely on their devices for work, iOS 18.2 introduces refined multitasking features. The split-screen functionality now allows adjustable proportions, while a floating window feature enables quick access to a third app. These enhancements make juggling multiple tasks more seamless and efficient, boosting productivity. iOS 18.2 also prioritizes inclusivity with new accessibility features. Enhanced voice control allows hands-free navigation, while improved screen reader functionality ensures visually impaired users can interact with content more effectively. Customizable text sizes and contrast settings further adapt the interface to individual needs, making the operating system more accessible to a wider range of users. The Messages app received a significant upgrade in iOS 18.2, introducing features that make communication more flexible and efficient. Users can now edit sent messages, undo accidental sends, and use AI-generated reply suggestions. Group chats benefit from advanced organization tools, such as participant tagging and topic-based threads, making it easier to keep track of conversations. Native apps like Mail, Safari, and Calendar also receive notable updates. The Mail app leverages AI to prioritize important emails and filter out clutter, while Safari introduces a streamlined tab management system. The Calendar app suggests events based on user habits, helping users stay organized effortlessly. iOS 18.2 brings exciting enhancements for photography enthusiasts. The camera app now offers improved low-light performance and a ProRAW mode for high-quality image capture. The Photos app introduces advanced editing tools, including background removal and AI-guided retouching, allowing users to achieve professional-grade edits directly on their devices. These updates empower users to capture stunning photos and edit them with precision, unleashing their creativity and elevating their photography skills. iOS 18.2 is a comprehensive update that addresses a wide range of user needs, from privacy and security to productivity and creativity. With smarter AI integration, enhanced customization options, refined multitasking tools, and accessibility upgrades, this update ensures that Apple devices work seamlessly to enhance the user experience. Whether you prioritize data protection, efficient communication, or advanced photography capabilities, iOS 18.2 delivers a well-rounded set of features that cater to diverse user requirements.

iOS 18.2: What's New, What's Improved, Is It Worth the Upgrade?

Apple's iOS 18.2 update is a significant step forward, introducing a range of innovative features that leverage the power of artificial intelligence and seamless integration with popular tools like ChatGPT. This update prioritizes enhanced productivity, creative expression, and accessibility, making it an attractive choice for users seeking to unlock the full potential of their Apple devices. The detailed video below from Better Creating gives us a look at the iOS 18.2 update and Apple Intelligence. One of the most notable additions in iOS 18.2 is the deep integration with ChatGPT, allowing users to access AI-powered assistance directly from their devices without the need for a separate account. This integration is designed with privacy in mind, ensuring that neither Apple nor ChatGPT retains user data. With this feature, users can: iOS 18.2 takes visual recognition and creativity to new heights, offering features that cater to both practical and artistic needs. Users can now: For users looking to boost their efficiency, iOS 18.2 delivers significant productivity upgrades. These include: While iOS 18.2 offers an impressive array of features, it's important to note that they come with specific hardware requirements. To fully benefit from the update, users will need newer devices such as: Users with older devices may find their experience limited, highlighting the growing importance of staying current with Apple's ecosystem to ensure optimal performance. Installing iOS 18.2 is a straightforward process, with customization options available in the settings menu. The update emphasizes on-device processing, ensuring data privacy while integrating seamlessly into the Apple ecosystem. Additionally, accessibility has been a key focus, with enhanced features such as: These improvements cater to a wide range of needs, making iOS 18.2 more inclusive and accessible to a diverse user base. iOS 18.2 represents a significant leap forward for Apple, offering a compelling combination of advanced AI tools, creative enhancements, and productivity improvements. While users with the latest hardware will benefit the most from this update, it underscores the growing synergy between Apple's software and hardware, reminding users of the advantages of staying up to date with the company's ecosystem. Whether you're a creative professional, a productivity enthusiast, or simply looking to enhance your daily interactions with your device, iOS 18.2 is worth considering as an upgrade that can unlock new possibilities and streamline your digital life.

20 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 18.2

Apple released iOS 18.2 in the second week of December, bringing the second round of Apple Intelligence features to iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 models. This update brings several major advancements to Apple's AI integration, including completely new image generation tools and a range of Visual Intelligence-based enhancements. Apple has added a handful of new non-AI related feature controls as well. While not all advertised Apple Intelligence features are available yet, iOS 18.2 introduces several capabilities that aim to make your iPhone smarter and more intuitive. Below, we've listed 20 new things your iPhone can do after you've updated your iPhone via Settings -> General -> Software Update. The link can be opened on a non-Apple device, so an iPhone or Mac is not required to provide someone with your item's location. Links expire after a week or when you're reunited with your lost item. More than 15 airlines will offer the feature, which will be integrated into each airline's customer service process for locating mishandled or delayed baggage, according to Apple. In addition to items equipped with an AirTag, the feature also works with third-party accessories and item trackers that support the Find My network. Thankfully, Apple is bringing the control back as an option in iOS 18.2. If you're already on the iOS 18.2 beta, you'll find a toggle in Settings ➝ Accessibility ➝ Audio & Visual, labeled "Always Show Volume Control". Enable the switch, and you'll be able to adjust volume from the Lock Screen without having to unlock your iPhone or use the physical volume buttons. In the latest beta, US users can access the Default App interface to choose their preferred Email, Call Filtering, Browser, and Passwords, and Keyboards. EU users should have more options for choosing non-Apple apps as their default, as they are able to delete core apps like Messages, App Store, Safari, Camera, and Photos. Important emails are grouped in a "Primary" category, while other types are categorized into three additional sections. The "Transactions" section streamlines access to receipts, orders, and shipping information, allowing you to quickly locate your purchases. Meanwhile, the "Updates" section gathers newsletters, appointment reminders, and various subscription emails, keeping you informed. Lastly, the "Promotions" category highlights special offers and promotional messages, to make sure you don't miss out on any deals. Additionally, you can include likenesses of friends and family by pulling images directly from your Photos app. While Image Playground functions as a standalone app, it can also be integrated into apps like Notes and Messages and added to third-party applications. While they function like emojis on Apple devices, they are not encoded characters from the Unicode Consortium. Instead, Apple developed a unique API for Genmoji, ensuring they display correctly in any application that supports rich text. You can generate a Genmoji by providing a description of your desired design, and you even have the option to create Genmoji that resemble individuals from your Photos library. For instance, you can open a lengthy PDF and ask Siri to summarize information on a specific topic; Siri can then pass this request to ChatGPT to generate a comprehensive summary. Apple envisions Siri as a facilitator for AI models and tools, optimizing available resources to provide you with answers without the need to switch between multiple apps. Additional capabilities of Visual Intelligence include reading text aloud, identifying phone numbers and addresses for adding to Contacts, copying text, and summarizing information. Users can also search Google to find where to purchase a specific item they see, and by pointing the camera at an object, they can access further information through ChatGPT. Apple intends to enhance this feature by introducing more functionalities in the future. The Apple Music app offers similar functionality, letting you search for songs and playlists by mood, genre, or activity. Try searches like "upbeat workout songs," "romantic ballads," "90s pop hits," or "songs to dance to" to quickly discover music that fits your vibe. The hearing test takes about five minutes and helps adults determine if they might have hearing loss by assessing their ability to hear various sound frequencies. Once the test is complete, users receive a classification of their hearing and suggestions for next steps. For more details, Apple provides a support document explaining the feature in depth.

iOS 18.2 Brings Major Upgrades to Apple Intelligence. Here's How To Download It on Your iPhone

Nelson Aguilar is an LA-based tech how-to writer and graduate of UCLA. With more than a decade of experience, he covers Apple and Google and writes on iPhone and Android features, privacy and security settings and more. Apple has been promoting Apple Intelligence pretty heavily since the company announced the AI feature back in June, but it's honestly been pretty disappointing. Until now. On Wednesday, Apple announced the release of iOS 18.2, which brings some of the most anticipated AI features to iOS 18, including ChatGPT integration for Siri and Writing Tools, the ability to create your own emoji with Genmoji, and the Image Playground app to create images from text prompts. If you're an iPhone 16 owner, you get Visual Intelligence, the visual search tool that allows you to pull up information on anything you point your camera at, like text, food, locations and more. Think Google Lens, but for Apple. As long as you own a compatible Apple Intelligence device, you can download iOS 18.2 today and get all the latest AI features. Here's everything you need to know. To learn more, check out what's new in iOS 18.2 and how to get your iPhone ready before downloading iOS 18.2. Every iPhone model after the iPhone XS and iPhone 11 can run iOS 18, only some of the most recent models support Apple Intelligence. This is every iPhone that supports Apple Intelligence: As mentioned above, only iPhone 16 users will get Visual Intelligence, the AI-powered visual search feature. Apple Intelligence also works on iPad and Mac models with the M1 chip and later. You don't necessarily need to do all of these things to download iOS 18.2 on your iPhone, but it will definitely make the download experience go so much easier: To check out Apple's new AI, you must have an eligible device and run the current iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1 or MacOS 15.1. (On the iPhone side, that's basically the current iPhone 16 models plus last year's iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max.) You'll also need to join the waitlist in the Settings app, but Apple Support says it usually only takes a few hours to gain access. Once approved, you'll receive a notification saying it's ready to activate on your device. You should also check out these easy tricks for optimizing your iPhone storage. Now that you're all set, it's time to download iOS 18.2 If you're coming from iOS 18 or iOS 18.1, updating should be incredibly easy. All you need to do is go to Settings > General > Software Update and hit Update Now. Enter your passcode, agree to terms and conditions to request the update, and wait for iOS 18 to download and install. Once your phone restarts and boots back up, you should be running iOS 18.2. It's out! Apple started rolling out the iOS 18.2 update today, Dec. 11. More Apple Intelligence features will be available in the months ahead, the company said.

Apple Intelligence: iOS 18.2 Update - GAME CHANGING Features Revealed

Apple's iOS 18.2 update is set to transform the way you interact with your iPhone or iPad, introducing a range of groundbreaking features powered by Apple Intelligence. From a smarter, ChatGPT-powered Siri to innovative tools for image generation and enhanced writing capabilities, this update pushes the boundaries of what your device can do. While some features are limited by hardware compatibility or are still in development, the iOS 18.2 update represents a significant step forward in Apple's AI journey. The detailed video below from Zollotech gives us a look at all of the new Apple Intelligence features in the latest update. One of the most transformative features in iOS 18.2 is the integration of ChatGPT with Siri. This enhancement turns Apple's virtual assistant into a more versatile and capable tool, able to handle complex tasks with ease. With the new ChatGPT-powered Siri, you can: By simply sharing screenshots or files with ChatGPT, you'll receive detailed, personalized responses that can save you time and effort. However, it's important to note that there are daily usage limits for this feature, unless you upgrade your account for extended access. The integration of ChatGPT with Siri not only boosts productivity but also sets a new standard for virtual assistants. By combining Apple's ecosystem with OpenAI's conversational AI, iOS 18.2 delivers a more intuitive and efficient user experience. iOS 18.2 also introduces a suite of creative tools that allow you to express yourself in new and exciting ways. With "Genmoji," you can design personalized emojis that add a unique flair to your messages. Meanwhile, "Image Playground" enables you to create stunning cartoon-style images, perfect for social media or personal projects. While these tools offer a wealth of creative possibilities, they do come with certain restrictions. For example, they cannot generate realistic images or incorporate brand names, ensuring compliance with ethical and legal guidelines. These limitations reflect the early stages of Apple's AI-driven image creation journey, leaving room for future innovation and refinement. For writers and professionals, iOS 18.2 brings significant upgrades to the Notes app. With ChatGPT integration, you can now compose, rewrite, or outline text directly within your documents. Whether you're drafting an email, brainstorming ideas, or working on a project, you simply describe the changes you need, and the app implements them instantly. This seamless functionality eliminates the need to switch between apps or rely on external tools, making it particularly valuable for students and professionals who depend on efficient writing workflows. By streamlining the writing process, iOS 18.2 helps you focus on what matters most: your ideas and content. iOS 18.2 also enhances your device's visual intelligence, leveraging the camera for real-time object recognition and contextual information. By simply pointing your camera at a landmark, you'll receive historical details, nearby attractions, or restaurant recommendations. Similarly, the feature can identify products and provide links for online purchases, streamlining your shopping experience. However, it's important to note that this functionality is limited to devices with advanced camera systems, such as the iPhone 15 Pro and newer models. This highlights the growing reliance on hardware advancements to deliver innovative AI features. While iOS 18.2 introduces a range of transformative features, Apple is already looking ahead to the future of AI in its ecosystem. Plans for Siri 2.0 are underway, promising a deeper understanding of on-screen content and improved contextual awareness. Additionally, enhancements to image creation tools are expected, potentially bridging the gap between cartoon-style outputs and realistic visuals. These upcoming developments underscore Apple's commitment to pushing the boundaries of AI within its ecosystem, ensuring that future updates continue to deliver transformative experiences. As Apple continues to refine its AI capabilities, users can expect even more innovative and intuitive features in the updates to come. It's worth noting that many of the features introduced in iOS 18.2 are optimized for newer devices, including the iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16 series, and M1-powered iPads and Macs. Older devices may not support certain functionalities, reflecting the increasing reliance on advanced hardware to power AI-driven tools. As Apple continues to push the boundaries of what's possible with AI, it's clear that hardware advancements will play a crucial role in delivering the most innovative features. This highlights the importance of staying up-to-date with the latest devices to fully experience the benefits of Apple's AI-powered ecosystem. The iOS 18.2 update represents a significant milestone in Apple's AI journey, introducing a range of transformative features that enhance creativity, productivity, and convenience. While some features are still evolving or limited to specific devices, this update lays a strong foundation for future advancements. As Apple continues to refine its AI capabilities, users can expect even more innovative and intuitive experiences in the updates to come.

iOS 18.2 Will Blow Your Mind: ChatGPT Siri Changes EVERYTHING

Apple's iOS 18.2 update brings a wealth of new features and enhancements designed to transform the way you interact with your iPhone. This update focuses on seamlessly integrating artificial intelligence, boosting productivity, and providing powerful creative tools. Whether you're a casual user or a professional, iOS 18.2 has something to offer, elevating your iPhone experience to new heights. The video below from 9 to 5 Mac gives us a look at the new iOS 18.2 features including Apple's Siri with the ChatGPT integration. One of the most groundbreaking features in iOS 18.2 is the collaboration between ChatGPT and Siri. This integration allows Siri to handle complex queries with unprecedented depth and precision. You can now seamlessly switch between Siri and ChatGPT based on your needs, whether you require a quick answer or a detailed explanation. ChatGPT's capabilities extend beyond text-based queries, as you can now upload images or screenshots for analysis, providing you with relevant insights. This enhancement transforms Siri into a highly versatile and context-aware assistant. For iPhone 16 users, iOS 18.2 brings exclusive camera features powered by advanced visual intelligence. The camera can now recognize objects, dates, and addresses in real-time, allowing you to save calendar events or search for information directly from the viewfinder. This feature seamlessly bridges the gap between photography and productivity, transforming your camera into a powerful tool for everyday tasks. iOS 18.2 also introduces exciting creative tools like Image Playground and Gen Emoji. These features allow you to generate custom images and emojis using simple text prompts. Integrated with apps like Messages and Freeform, sharing your creations with others is a breeze. Whether you're designing a unique emoji to express yourself or crafting visuals for a project, these tools streamline the creative process, making it more accessible and enjoyable. iOS 18.2 brings significant improvements to email management with the revamped Mail app. Emails are now intelligently categorized into Primary, Transactions, Updates, and Promotions, helping you prioritize your messages effortlessly. The new Digest view groups related emails together, allowing you to quickly access and manage them. Additionally, manual sender categorization gives you greater control over your inbox organization. With customizable notifications and badges, you can stay focused on what matters most, ensuring you never miss an important email. For iPhone 16 users, the camera experience gets even more advanced with the introduction of a two-stage shutter. This feature allows you to lock focus and exposure independently, allowing you to capture precise shots even in challenging lighting conditions. Other notable camera updates include expanded tone adjustments and customizable double-click speeds, giving you greater control over your photography workflow. The Photos app also receives an upgrade, with enhanced video editing tools. You can now enjoy frame-by-frame scrubbing and improved thumbnail visibility, making it easier to navigate and edit your videos. The ability to disable video looping gives you more control over playback, ensuring your videos are presented exactly as you intended. Safari, Apple's web browser, receives several improvements in iOS 18.2. Live activity tracking for downloads keeps you informed about the progress of your downloads, while HTTPS prioritization for insecure websites enhances your browsing security. The ability to import and export browsing history and website data, with encryption safeguards, gives you more control over your browsing data while protecting your privacy. For audio enthusiasts, the Voice Memos app introduces a innovative feature: layered audio recording. You can now record multiple tracks and manage them independently, opening up new possibilities for creative audio projects. The ability to export these recordings to Logic Pro for advanced editing makes Voice Memos a valuable tool for podcasters, musicians, and anyone working with audio. iOS 18.2 also brings important accessibility enhancements. The persistent volume slider on the lock screen ensures quick access to volume control, while vehicle motion cues in the Dynamic Island provide visual feedback for a more immersive experience. The new "Type to Siri" shortcut in Control Center makes Siri accessible in all situations, catering to users with different needs and preferences. iOS 18.2 brings improvements to various entertainment and productivity apps. In Apple Music and the TV app, you can now use natural language search to easily find the content you're looking for. Simply describe what you want, and the apps will intelligently surface relevant results, simplifying navigation and enhancing your entertainment experience. Apple News+ expands its offerings with the inclusion of Sudoku puzzles in three difficulty levels, providing a fun and challenging pastime for puzzle enthusiasts. The Stocks app now provides pre-market price quotes for NYSE and NASDAQ, keeping you informed about market trends and helping you make timely investment decisions. Additional notable features in iOS 18.2 include enhanced writing tools powered by ChatGPT, making composition and editing a breeze. Safari now supports customizable start page backgrounds that sync across devices, allowing for a personalized browsing experience. The new default app settings hub simplifies customization, giving you more control over your iPhone's default apps. Fitness enthusiasts will appreciate the new fitness actions in Shortcuts, which integrate seamlessly with Apple Fitness+, making it easier to track and manage your workouts. iOS 18.2 is a feature-rich update that takes your iPhone experience to the next level. With its emphasis on AI-driven capabilities, productivity enhancements, and creative tools, this release caters to a wide range of user needs and preferences. Whether you're leveraging the power of ChatGPT and Siri integration, using advanced camera features, or exploring the new creative possibilities, iOS 18.2 ensures your iPhone remains at the forefront of innovation and functionality. Embrace the future of mobile computing with iOS 18.2 and unlock the full potential of your iPhone.

Apple releases the most important software update of 2024 for iPhone models

Apple has announced the debut of iOS 18.2, an expansion of Apple Intelligence that arrived in a barebones form in late October. For those that don't know, Apple will be rolling out Apple Intelligence features in stages, with iOS 18.1 being the first in a long process of slowly familiarizing users with a new suite of AI-powered features. In iOS 18.1, users were introduced to several new features, such as Writing Tools, an overhauled Siri, the Photos App becoming intelligent, the Clean Up tool, and other prioritization features. iOS 18.2 is an expansion of iOS 18.1, with improvements being made in some of the previously announced features, such as the Photos app becoming even smarter, proofread, rewrite, and summarise text being added to Writing Tools, and ChatGPT being integrated into Siri. There are also other additions in iOS 18.2 that warrant being highlighted, and below, you will find a brief explanation of each. Genmoji, which enables users to create custom emojis by combining two or more descriptions together. For example, a user could ask Genmoji to create an emoticon from a natural language prompt such as "a giraffe driving a blue bus". Moreover, Image Wand grants users the ability to turn rough sketches into fully fledged images. Additionally, Image Wand will allow Notes app users to take notes more visually and fluidly. Once a note is taken, a user can circle the note, and Image Wand will create an image based on the note. Additionally, users will be able to circle empty space within the Notes app and Image Wand will create an image based on the notes taken around that empty space. Additionally, Image Playground lets users create images in distinct styles such as Animation, 3D animation, Illustration, and others. Users are able to create images based on the likeness of a family member or friend using photos from their photo library. The new feature has been integrated into Messages but is also available as a standalone app. Apple has rolled out improvements to its Photos app that are designed to make the app more intelligent overall. According to the announcement, users will now be able to use natural language to search their library of photos and videos, with users prompting the Photos app search box by simply writing, "Maya skateboarding in a tie-dye shirt". The app will then present all relevant images and videos. Additionally, users will now be able to search for something that happened in a specific segment of the video. Furthermore, iOS 18.2 improves the Memories feature, as users are now able to create movies they want by simply typing out a description using natural language. After receiving the prompt, Apple Intelligence will gather what it determines to be the most relevant images and videos and compile them into a movie with its own narrative arc. Apple has rolled out Proofread, Rewrite, and Summarise Text with Writing Tools, which enables users to improve upon their natural language used across a variety of apps. For example, users will be able to Rewrite entire paragraphs of text to adjust tone, improve upon grammar, and ultimately suit the text to best suit the text for the receiving audience. Proofread pretty much does what it says, with the new feature checking for grammatical errors in text, word choices, and sentence structure while also suggesting improvements with explanations as to why it believes the improvements are warranted. Summarize Text also does exactly what it says in the tile, with users being able to select a body of text and have it summarized in a digestible paragraph, bullet points, table, or list. As part of Apple's push into Apple Intelligenc-based features, the Cupertino company has rolled out Priority Messages, which is a new section at the top of the inbox in the Mail app. This new section will show the most urgent emails, such as same-day invitations to lunches and parties, boarding passes for flights, and any other messages that are time-sensitive. Additionally, the new Smart Reply feature provides users with suggestions for a quick response to a message while taking into account the contents of the message. The prioritization doesn't stop there, as Apple wants to streamline notifications for users, as Apple Intelligence enables summaries notifications, which saves time as users will no longer have to read through every single one. Apple Intelligence will scan long or stacked notifications and generate a summary of the contents of the notification stack. The summary will appear right on the device's lock screen, and the feature will work for notifications such as group chat conversations. Additional Prioritization and Focus features come in the form of the Notes and Phone apps being able to record, transcribe, and summarise audio. When audio recording is initiated on a call all participants within the call are automatically notified. Once the call ends, Apple Intelligence will generate a written summary of the conversation. Siri has just got a major upgrade as users are now able to use natural language with the AI companion, and according to Apple's announcement, Siri now has "richer language-understanding capabilities" that enable it to understand a user still when they are stumbling over their words, is also capable of maintaining context from one request to the next, and has been integrated with extensive Apple product knowledge. Visual Intelligence is Apple's version of Google Lens, which if you aren't familiar with works by pointing a Pixel smartphone camera at an object and tap focussing on the object. What this does is initiates a search for the target object, bringing up relevant information about it, more images of it, etc. Apple's Visual Intelligence does this, but with more features. For example, Visual Intelligence is capable of summarizing and copying text that can then be translated into a different language. Visual Intelligence can also detect phone numbers and email addresses through the camera viewfinder and has the option to save that contact information. Additionally, Visual Intelligence is also integrated with ChatGPT, enabling users to use their camera to solve complex problems, such as math equations, by simply scanning them with their camera. ChatGPT has now been integrated into iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, with it being accessible via Siri and Writing Tools. When a user prompts Siri with a request that it can't fulfill by itself, it will ask the user if ChatGPT can provide a response. Apple explained in its press release that users can choose to enable ChatGPT and if their information is shared with the AI. Notably, by default, ChatGPT doesn't require an account, and when using ChatGPT without an account, the company behind the popular AI tool, OpenAI, won't store any user data or use it for training. Apple still isn't finished with Apple Intelligence, with the company writing that it will be rolling out new capabilities in the months to come. Siri is expected to continue to get upgraded, with Apple teasing in its press release that it will be able to "draw on a user's personal context to deliver intelligence that's tailored to them." Moreover, Siri will be getting "onscreen awareness" that will enable hundreds of new actions in and across Apple and third-party applications. The latest Apple Intelligence features are available in iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia. Apple Intelligence is available when the device and Siri language are set to localized English for Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, the UK, or the US.

Apple Intelligence FAIL? Examining the iOS 18.2 Update

The release of iOS 18.2 with Apple Intelligence has been met with a mix of excitement and skepticism from Apple users worldwide. While the update promises enhanced performance and innovative features, user feedback suggests that not all changes have been universally well-received. The video below from iDeviceHelp looks at the key aspects of iOS 18.2, examining its strengths, weaknesses, and overall impact on the user experience. One of the most prominent issues reported by users after updating to iOS 18.2 is the sporadic unresponsiveness of their iPhone screens. This glitch appears to be particularly noticeable during specific tasks, such as conducting Spotlight searches or switching between apps. While not all users have encountered this problem, those who have experienced it describe it as a significant disruption to their workflow, especially when multitasking is crucial. The inconsistency of the screen responsiveness issue makes it challenging to pinpoint the root cause. Some users speculate that it may be related to the update's optimization of the touch input system, while others believe it could be a software compatibility issue. Despite the growing number of reports, Apple has yet to address this concern publicly or provide a clear timeline for a potential fix. Another area of concern for iOS 18.2 users is the camera functionality. Some individuals have reported issues when attempting to switch between the front and rear cameras, with experiences ranging from freezing and black screens to delays of up to 10 seconds. These glitches can be particularly frustrating when trying to capture a fleeting moment, as the delay can result in missed opportunities. While the camera issues do not appear to be as widespread as the screen responsiveness problems, they still represent a significant inconvenience for affected users. The inconsistency of the glitches suggests that the problem may lie within the update's camera software, rather than being a hardware-related issue. As with the screen responsiveness concerns, Apple has not yet provided a detailed response or solution, leaving users uncertain about when they can expect a fix. One of the most highly anticipated features of iOS 18.2 is the introduction of advanced AI tools, such as the G-Emoji Image Playground, ChatGPT integration, and visual intelligence capabilities. These innovations are designed to enhance the user experience and provide new ways to interact with devices. However, initial adoption rates and user feedback suggest that there may be a disconnect between Apple's vision for AI and what users find genuinely useful or intuitive. Surveys conducted after the release of iOS 18.2 reveal that only 50% of users with Apple Intelligence-enabled devices find these new tools helpful. When examining the broader smartphone market, the data paints an even more concerning picture. Approximately 73% of iPhone users and 87% of Samsung users view AI features as lacking value. This lukewarm reception indicates that Apple may need to reassess its approach to AI integration, focusing on features that address genuine user needs and preferences. Battery performance is a critical factor for smartphone users, and iOS 18.2 has delivered mixed results in this area. According to user feedback, nearly half (46%) of individuals report excellent battery life after updating, while 40% find it acceptable. However, 14% of users have experienced subpar battery performance, which can be particularly frustrating for those who rely heavily on their devices throughout the day. For many users, iOS 18.2 provides a full day of usage on a single charge, suggesting that Apple's efforts to optimize battery life have been somewhat successful. However, the inconsistencies reported by some users, particularly those who push their devices to the limit, indicate that there is still room for improvement. As smartphone capabilities continue to expand, finding the right balance between performance and battery longevity will be an ongoing challenge for Apple and other manufacturers. Despite the mixed user feedback, iOS 18.2 has shown measurable improvements in performance benchmarks. When compared to the second release candidate (RC2), the final version of the update demonstrates slight gains in processing power. The single-core score for iOS 18.2 reaches 3,346, while the multi-core score achieves 8,218. These results edge out RC2's scores of 3,343 and 8,159, respectively. While these performance improvements may not be immediately noticeable to the average user, they reflect Apple's ongoing efforts to optimize device performance and maintain its competitive edge in the smartphone market. As technology continues to advance, even incremental gains can contribute to a smoother, more responsive user experience. However, it is essential to recognize that benchmark scores do not always directly translate to real-world performance, and user perception of speed and efficiency may vary. The iOS 18.2 update represents a mix of progress and setbacks for Apple. While performance benchmarks and battery life improvements demonstrate the company's commitment to optimizing the user experience, technical issues with screen responsiveness and camera functionality have left some users frustrated. Additionally, the limited adoption of Apple Intelligence features highlights a gap between the potential of these technologies and their perceived value to users. As Apple continues to refine its software and introduce new features, addressing these concerns will be crucial to maintaining user trust and satisfaction. By focusing on stability, reliability, and user-centric design, Apple can ensure that future updates deliver the seamless, intuitive experience that users have come to expect from the brand. Ultimately, the success of iOS 18.2 and future updates will depend on Apple's ability to balance innovation with user needs, while also addressing technical issues promptly and transparently. As the smartphone market continues to evolve, Apple must remain agile and responsive to user feedback to maintain its position as a leader in the industry.