iOS 18.2 developer beta 2: ChatGPT, Camera Control updates
iOS 18.2 developer beta 2 is now available for download. iOS 18.2 has received its second developer beta, as Apple Intelligence testing continues. Here's everything you need to know about the software update and the changes it includes.
ChatGPT Updates
Starting with iOS 18.2, Siri can forward questions and requests to ChatGPT. The software can help users with things such as text creation in Writing Tools, as well as image generation. New splash screens have been added to inform users of ChatGPT-enabled features and their benefits.
While basic ChatGPT functionality is available at any time, and at no cost, iOS 18.2 only offers advanced ChatGPT capabilities in a limited capacity. With Monday's developer beta, users will now be able to see whether or not they've exceeded the daily limit for ChatGPT's advanced capabilities.
Camera Control Updates
Monday's iOS 18.2 developer beta introduces additional settings for the Camera Control, which was introduced with the iPhone 16 range. The Camera Control is an entirely new hardware component, a button with a capacitive surface and a force sensor.
iOS 18.2 developer beta 2 now lets users adjust the double-click speed for Camera Control. Apart from the "Default" option, the double-click speed can be set to "Slow" or "Slower."
The software update also adds a new "AE/AF Lock" option, which locks the exposure and focus when taking a photo. The Camera Control can be configured to toggle AE/AF Lock with a light press. This means that the exposure stays consistent and that the image won't darken, even when the iPhone is moved around.
FindMy has received a significant update with Monday's developer beta, as the software now lets users share the location of lost items with people they trust.
When an AirTag or other item is lost, users can opt to share the location of the item with a trusted individual or even an airline, all so that the lost item can be more easily recovered. This could be particularly useful for lost luggage, though FindMy-equipped devices have also helped authorities locate stolen vehicles in some instances.
Utah Web Content Filter
The second developer beta of iOS 18.2 ensures compliance with the Utah web content filter requirement, as the filter is on by default for Utah residents below the age of 18. Note that the web content filter is not automatically enabled in other states, countries, and regions where it is not required by law.
iOS 18.2 also received a minor aesthetic change with Monday's developer beta, which affects the icons in Settings. When Dark Mode is enabled, icons in the Settings app now have a distinct gray border. The new icon outlines allow for increased contrast within the application.
Various quality-of-life improvements for existing device features are present within the operating system as well, with the latest iOS 18.2 bringing better battery life, according to Apple's release notes.
Certain system applications and features have also received minor updates:
None of these changes are particularly significant, given that they largely build upon existing applications and their features. Apple already added support for image generation with the first iOS 18.2 developer beta, while app badges have been available since the early days of iOS.
The visionOS 2.2 developer beta includes a major improvement to the Mac Virtual Display feature. While the Apple Vision Pro was always usable as an external display for Mac, there are now two new display modes: Ultrawide and Wide.
The new Wide and Ultrawide views were already announced by Apple, so their arrival was inevitable, but a welcome change nonetheless. The Apple Vision Pro still lacks Apple Intelligence, though, meaning that its users won't be able to take advantage of the various AI features available on other Apple platforms.
Although some Apple Intelligence features are already here, such as email summarization and the Clean Up tool in Photos, a good chunk of them are still only available in developer beta builds. iOS 18.2 is expected to receive its final public release in early December 2024, which is when features like Image Playground and Visual Intelligence will become available to all users.
Updated November 5 with additional information on ChatGPT Plus and Face ID authentication.
