Apple has officially launched its iOS 18.2 update, featuring a long-anticipated integration of OpenAI's ChatGPT into Siri, alongside a suite of new AI-driven tools under its Apple Intelligence initiative. The update, which became available on Wednesday, is expected to significantly enhance the functionality of Apple devices while advancing the company's efforts in consumer artificial intelligence.
The ChatGPT integration uses OpenAI's GPT-4o model to answer complex user queries that Siri cannot handle alone. In such cases, Siri requests permission to access ChatGPT, ensuring that privacy is maintained. Apple has emphasized that user data will not be stored by OpenAI, and no OpenAI account is required for access. Users who wish to unlock premium ChatGPT features can do so through Apple.
iOS 18.2 is compatible with iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 16 models. Users can activate Apple Intelligence by joining a waitlist in the Settings app, with most gaining access within 24 hours. After activation, features like ChatGPT integration, Image Playground, and Genmoji become available, expanding device capabilities significantly.
Apple's efforts to integrate AI extend beyond ChatGPT. Image Playground, another addition in iOS 18.2, allows users to create custom visuals based on text prompts or their photo libraries. Meanwhile, Genmoji enables the creation of personalized emojis, which are synchronized across devices via iCloud.
Apple Intelligence, introduced earlier this year, has already included tools such as notification summaries and enhanced writing aids. The latest additions in iOS 18.2 are designed to deepen user engagement and streamline daily tasks. These advancements are expected to play a central role in the marketing of the iPhone 16 lineup.
The release also introduces updates to the Mail app, which now categorizes messages into tabs such as Primary, Transactions, Updates, and Promotions. These updates aim to simplify email management, allowing users to reassign messages to preferred categories.
The Find My app received notable improvements as well. Users can now generate sharable links for misplaced items, such as AirTags, enabling others to view their location on an interactive map. The links automatically update with the latest location data, making it easier to locate lost items.
The integration of ChatGPT into Siri has garnered significant attention as it marks a step forward in addressing long-standing limitations of Apple's virtual assistant. The use of OpenAI's advanced language model provides Siri with a fallback for more complex tasks while maintaining user privacy.
As with all AI-driven features, privacy remains a cornerstone of Apple's approach. Requests sent to ChatGPT are anonymized and not used to train OpenAI's models unless users opt in by signing into their ChatGPT accounts. This ensures that Apple Intelligence aligns with the company's broader commitment to data security.
