They’ve finally started rolling out, as seen with the iOS 18.1 release a few weeks ago.
Now, iOS 18.2 is out in beta and is expected to become available to the public sometime in December.
Here are some features that caught our attention from the long, long list.
Motion cues is not a new feature (it was introduced with iOS 18), but integrating them on the dynamic island is.
The great thing about this release is that unlike iOS 18.1, Apple Intelligence supports more than just U.S. English on 18.2.
Apple Intelligence, the most heavily advertised feature of the new iPhone 16 lineup, was absent, which was the main grievance. Regarding the upgrades, it soon became clear that the new phones served primarily as platforms for Apple to demonstrate its array of new artificial intelligence features. Given that, hearing that we would have to wait a few months for those features was particularly ironic. With the release of iOS 18.1 a few weeks ago, they have finally begun to roll out. Currently in beta testing, iOS 18.2 is anticipated to be made publicly available in December. From the lengthy list, these are a few features that drew our attention.
Image Generation.
Generative art is prominent in this iOS version. A new app called Image Playground allows you to make your own images by entering text prompts. Although it functions similarly to any AI image generator found online, this iPhone feature is free to use. Additionally, the Notes app now allows you to add images to your memos using Image Wand. When the feature was revealed at WWDC, the ability to create custom emojis, or Genmojis, generated a lot of excitement. Finally, this iOS version will make it available. This will function similarly to Image Playground in that you will input text and it will turn it into an emoji.
motion cues for vehicles.
The dynamic island will soon have iOS vehicle motion cues. To be honest, because I get really motion sickness, this is the feature I’m most excited about. Although the integration of motion cues on the dynamic island is a new feature, motion cues themselves were first introduced with iOS 18. This feature will guarantee that I can navigate Google Maps with ease as long as I have the dynamic island at the top of the screen in my peripheral vision, since using a phone while driving exacerbates nausea.
Hotspot Mirroring for iPhone.
When you connect your iPhone to a Mac through a hotspot, iOS 18.2 will automatically mirror your phone as well. Hotspot didn’t have mirroring capabilities before, so this will be a useful extra feature.
Send Siri a text message.
The ability to finally speak to Siri naturally rather than typing to it is another fantastic development. I’m glad Siri is becoming multimodal, or accepting multiple input methods, as it struggles with a variety of accents. I would have been happier if Apple had made an effort to be more inclusive, but for the time being, I’ll settle for what I have.
Siri is integrated into ChatGPT.
Limit on volume.
You’ll be glad you didn’t unintentionally blast a loud video or song on your phone in a quiet public place with the new volume limit feature. You could set a maximum volume limit on iOS 18.2 for how loudly your iPhone can play music, videos, or other content through the speaker. Thank goodness, calls, alarms, and reminders won’t be affected.
default applications.
With iOS 18.2, you can go into a new Default Apps section in Settings and set preferences for Email, Messaging, Calling, Browser, and more. You may have noticed that your iPhone occasionally asks you what browser you prefer when you open a link, and you have to enter a preference each time. To avoid you having to tell it over and over again, it will record all of your selections.
removing essential apps.
I like how the EU is gradually teaching Apple that it must adhere to a universal standard and cannot have its own peculiar regulations for everything. This giant from Cupertino needs to be humbled in a number of ways. In addition to requiring Apple to adopt a universal Type-C charging standard, it now guarantees that users can remove essential apps like the App Store, Safari, Messages, Camera, and Photos. But as of right now, only the EU can use the core app feature. We hope it soon goes global.
Intelligence that is visual.
With a visual intelligence feature akin to Google Lens, the new iPhone 16 will let you point your device at any object and have it describe it to you. The feature is activated by long pressing the camera control button; all you need to do is point your iPhone at the desired object. It’s interesting that it will read you the reviews and hours of operation of a restaurant when you point at it.
Writing Instruments.
The second-generation software is adding more styles and tones to the much-discussed writing tools that Apple Intelligence had already released with iOS 18.1. There are currently only three styles available for the tools.
Accessible.
Apple has not yet disclosed the date of iOS 18.2’s public release. We just know that it will take place in December. Unlike iOS 18.1, Apple Intelligence supports more than just U, which is a great feature of this release. A. English on 18 p. English is currently covered in South Africa, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the UK. Still, it’s only available in one language, which I hope will change soon.
