SAN FRANCISCO — As the holiday shopping season heats up, Apple is enhancing the iPhone experience with more artificial intelligence (AI) features, including the ability for users to create personalized emojis in seconds. This exciting update comes with the release of iOS 18.2, Apple’s latest iPhone operating system update, which is packed with new AI capabilities.
New AI Features for iPhone Users
Released on Wednesday, iOS 18.2 extends Apple’s AI functionality, following the company’s previous update in October that began incorporating AI technology into the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. This update includes “Genmojis,” a feature that allows iPhone users to request custom emojis created by AI and instantly share them. However, Apple has set some limitations on its AI-generated emojis to prevent the creation and distribution of harmful or violent content.
In addition to Genmojis, the update introduces an “Image Playground,” where users can experiment with AI-generated illustrations, writing tools, and email summarization features.
AI Exclusivity for Latest iPhone Models
The new AI features are only available for iPhone 16 models and the premium iPhone 15 models released in 2023 and 2024. These features require a specialized processor, so older iPhone models won’t be able to access them.
This exclusivity is expected to encourage iPhone upgrades during the holiday shopping season, driving Apple’s profits higher. With expectations of continued growth, Apple’s stock has surged by about 30% this year, bringing its market value closer to the $4 trillion mark.
AI Expanding Across More Regions
The iOS 18.2 update broadens the AI capabilities to new English-language markets, including Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, and the U.K., further increasing its global reach.
Apple’s Unique AI Approach: Privacy First
While many of the new AI features on iPhones mirror those offered by competitors like Google and Samsung, Apple is setting itself apart with a strong focus on privacy. The company emphasizes processing most AI tasks directly on the device or in secure data centers to ensure user data remains protected. Additionally, for users who require more AI assistance than the iPhone can provide, Apple has partnered with OpenAI’s ChatGPT technology, offering users access to more advanced AI capabilities.
Source: AP News
