Apple enthusiasts can look forward to exciting new AI-powered features in the upcoming iOS 18.2 beta, according to recent reports. The tech giant is set to introduce its innovative image generation capabilities, including the much-anticipated Image Playground and Genmoji features.
Mark Gurman, a respected Apple analyst, revealed in his Power On newsletter that these features are expected to debut in the iOS 18.2 beta, likely to be released in October. The final version is projected to roll out to users in December, following Apple's typical release schedule.
This news comes as a relief to many who were concerned about potential delays, as these features were noticeably absent from the iOS 18.1 betas. The confirmation of their inclusion in iOS 18.2 suggests that Apple is making steady progress in its AI integration efforts.
Image Playground, a new tool from Apple, will allow users to generate AI-powered images in three distinct styles: Animation, Illustration, and Sketch. Notably, the app will not support photorealistic image generation, a decision that may help mitigate potential misuse concerns.
Genmoji, another exciting addition, will enable users to create custom emojis based on text prompts. This feature aims to expand emotional expression beyond the limitations of standard unicode emojis. Genmoji will seamlessly integrate with text, appearing similar to traditional emojis. Apple is also providing APIs to ensure proper support for Genmoji in third-party applications.
These features are part of Apple's broader Apple Intelligence initiative, which was unveiled at WWDC24 in June. While some elements of this AI-powered suite have already been introduced in iOS 18.1, such as Writing Tools and Notification Summaries, others are still in development. The highly anticipated Siri upgrade with personal context is expected to arrive in iOS 18.4 next spring.
It's worth noting that to utilize these Apple Intelligence features, users will need compatible hardware. The features will be supported on iPhone 15 Pro or later models, as well as iPads and Macs equipped with M1 chips or newer. The upcoming iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro are also expected to support these AI-powered capabilities.
As Apple continues to push the boundaries of AI integration in its ecosystem, the inclusion of Image Playground and Genmoji in iOS 18.2 marks another significant step forward in enhancing user experiences through intelligent, creative tools.