Apple has recently announced the release of iOS 18.2 along with corresponding updates for iPadOS, introducing a range of anticipated artificial intelligence (AI) features.
The iOS 18.2 update primarily enhances user experience through AI advancements, particularly by integrating Siri with ChatGPT. When Siri cannot answer a user’s query, the virtual assistant will now consult OpenAI’s chatbot to provide more precise responses.
Key New Features of iOS 18.2:
- Extensive ChatGPT Integration: Siri is augmented by ChatGPT’s capabilities, which are also embedded in the Writing Toolset, enabling users to generate text and images seamlessly across various applications.
- Revamped Siri Interface: The interface of Siri has been modernized, featuring a new keyboard layout, and improved access to Apple’s product guide database to offer detailed troubleshooting assistance.
- Visual Intelligence: Users can perform multiple tasks simply by pointing their device’s camera. This includes summarizing text, scanning QR codes, translating information, and retrieving business details. This feature leverages both ChatGPT and Google Search for comprehensive results.
- Mail Application Upgrade: The Mail app has been enhanced for clearer classification and summarization of email threads, along with features for composing smart replies.
- Notification Summary: Notifications can now be grouped and summarized by application, allowing users to quickly grasp relevant information.
- Image Playground: A new application designed for creativity, Image Playground allows users to generate artwork using text prompts, combine different art styles, and utilize various preset options.
- Personal Emojis (Genmojis): Users can create custom emojis based on text descriptions, facial images, or existing character selectors.
- Image Wand Feature: For users of the Apple Pencil and iPad, this feature enables the transformation of sketches into polished images.
In addition to these highlights, iOS 18.2 rolls out improvements such as enhanced support for English in new regional formats and a wider range of languages, including Vietnamese, which will be fully supported from April 2025. However, some earlier announced Siri capabilities, such as reading screen content and integrating with other chatbots like Gemini, are yet to be implemented.
To utilize these new AI features, users must enable Apple Intelligence within the Settings app and download the necessary AI models. The iOS 18.2 update is compatible with the iPhone 15 Pro, the iPhone 16 series, the iPad mini (2024), and all iPads equipped with the M1 chip or newer.