On December 9, Apple released the second release candidate (RC) version of iOS 18.2 for developers and public beta users. This update comes more than a month after the release of iOS 18.1, which introduced several new features and fixes for users. The RC version primarily targets some developers and testers, adding more AI functionalities. Additionally, the RC version includes new features and upgrades available to all users.
It is important to note that since the RC version is still in the testing phase, users are advised to download it on non-primary devices, as this version may contain bugs and battery life could be affected. Therefore, it is recommended to experience it on secondary devices rather than on phones used for daily activities.
Although Apple has not announced the official release date for iOS 18.2, it typically pushes updates to the public about a week after releasing the RC version. Here are some new features expected in iOS 18.2, with a special mention that AI functionalities are currently limited to iPhone 15 Pro, Pro Max, and iPhone 16 series users.
First, the "Find My" app has been improved, allowing users to easily locate lost items. By selecting an item through “Find My” > “Items”, users can enable “Share Item Location” to share the location information of the lost item.
Secondly, the Mail app has also been upgraded with a new mail categorization feature to help users better manage their emails. Users can categorize emails into multiple groups, similar to how Gmail and Outlook operate.
Furthermore, the volume slider feature on the lock screen has been restored, allowing users to display it on the lock screen through settings. Additionally, users can set a volume limit to protect the speakers of children's devices.
With the advancement of AI technology, Apple has introduced a new feature called Genmoji, which allows users to generate custom emojis based on descriptions. Moreover, the Visual Intelligence feature can recognize objects through the camera and provide relevant information. There's also Image Playground, where users can generate images based on text prompts.
Additionally, Siri has received an upgrade, allowing users to access ChatGPT through Siri for smarter responses. These new features will undoubtedly enrich and enhance the user experience on iPhones.
Key Highlights:
🔍 New "Find My" feature makes it easy to share item locations.
✉️ Mail app upgrade supports multi-category email management.
🎤 Siri introduces ChatGPT for a smarter voice assistant experience.
