Apple to bring ChatGPT, new Apple Intelligence feature to iPhones in first week of December

iOS 18.2 will introduce new Apple Intelligence features including Genmoji, Image playground, ChatGPT integrated with Siri, Visual Intelligence and more. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has predicted that this next step will arrive in the first week of December.

In Short

• iOS 18.2 to release in December
• It will include ChatGPT, Genmoji, Image Playground and new Writing tools
• The next major update after iOS 18.2 will be the iOS 18.4 rollout in April

Apple released the first leg of Apple Intelligence in October-- iOS 18.1. Here, the users received a handful of updates, like a revamped Siri UI, Writing tools, and Clean up tool in Photos. But, now Apple is expanding its features by bringing iOS 18.2. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the company is eyeing releasing these features on December 2. While Apple has only confirmed the month of release, the reports have pointed towards the first week of December. iOS 18.2 update will introduce advanced features like ChatGPT integration in Siri, Genmoji, Image Playground and Visual Intelligence. It will also bring a handful of upgrades outside Apple Intelligence.

Additionally, Gurman has also stated that the next major update after iOS 18.2 will be the iOS 18.4 rollout in April, which will include a number of improvements, including a Siri upgrade that will let the assistant access users' data and answer questions based on the information on their screens. But first, let's look at the updates coming in with iOS 18.2.

iOS 18.2 to release in December

iOS 18.2 is expected to introduce a number of important updates. It is noteworthy that the current version of Apple Intelligence features is only being released in US English. Hence, it can be accessed only by users who can switch to US English. But then when will it come to India? Read here.

Genmoji: It is similar to traditional emojis but offers more flexibility. Unlike standard emojis limited by Unicode, Genmoji lets you create almost any emoji you can imagine. Apple developed a specialised API for Genmoji, so they display seamlessly in any app that supports rich text on Apple devices. You can design a Genmoji by describing the look you want, and you even have the option to make Genmoji resemble people in your photo library.

ChatGPT integration: Apple is partnering with OpenAI to bring ChatGPT to the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. This collaboration enables Siri to manage complex tasks by consulting ChatGPT, such as creating images or drafting text from scratch. With the Writing Tools feature, ChatGPT can generate and illustrate unique content, enhancing Siri’s abilities beyond its current functions.

For example, you could open a lengthy PDF and ask Siri for a summary on a specific topic; Siri would forward the request to ChatGPT to produce a detailed summary. Apple aims to position Siri as a bridge to AI tools, streamlining resources to deliver answers without needing to switch apps.

Visual Intelligence: With an iPhone 16 series, you can use Visual Intelligence, a feature that provides insights about your surroundings. For example, if you point the camera at a restaurant, you’ll receive information like its hours and reviews.

Visual Intelligence also allows you to have text read aloud, identify phone numbers and addresses to add to Contacts, copy text, and get summaries. You can search Google to find where to buy specific items you see, and by pointing the camera at an object, access more details through ChatGPT. Apple plans to add even more functions to this feature over time.

Updated Writing tools: Apple is enhancing the Writing Tools feature to allow for more flexible modifications. In iOS 18.1, Writing Tools can only adjust tone to friendly, professional, or simplified. However, with iOS 18.2, users will be able to specify custom tone and content changes, like adding more action words or turning an email into a poem.

Image Wand: In the Notes app, you can use Image Wand to create images that complement your note’s content. By circling an empty space, Image Wand generates an image based on your text. You can also draw something with your finger, circle it with the tool, and get a related image. On iPad, sketching with the Apple Pencil lets Image Wand produce a fitting image based on your drawing.

Image Playground: Image Playground is a brand-new app designed to help you create images from your ideas. Much like ChatGPT, you can generate images by entering a prompt, with suggested categories like themes, locations, and costumes to spark inspiration. The app focuses on stylised content, so the images won’t be realistic and can be generated in Animation or Illustration styles.

You can also incorporate likenesses of friends and family by selecting images directly from your Photos app. While Image Playground works as a standalone app, it can also be integrated with apps like Notes and Messages, and even added to third-party applications.