# Apple iOS 18.2: An Exciting Update Scheduled for December Launch
Apple is preparing to unveil one of its most thrilling updates—**iOS 18.2**—which is set to be launched in early December. While well-known tech reporter **Mark Gurman** from *Bloomberg* had initially forecasted a December 2nd launch, a carrier in the UK, **EE**, may have inadvertently revealed the actual launch date via a customer alert. The carrier noted that some features, including **Wi-Fi Calling**, will be phased out on December 9, 2024, implying that the iOS 18.2 update may debut around that date.
This update is brimming with cutting-edge features that are designed to improve user experience, such as **Image Playground**, **Genmoji**, **ChatGPT integration**, and an updated **Mail app**. Let’s explore why iOS 18.2 is among the most eagerly awaited software releases of the year.
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## ## Highlighted Features in iOS 18.2
### 1. **Image Playground: Unleash Your Creativity**
A highlight of iOS 18.2 is the **Image Playground**. This feature empowers users to craft whimsical, artistic images in an instant. Whether you wish to produce an **animation**, an **illustration**, or a **sketch**, the Image Playground offers various avenues for creativity.
This feature is smoothly incorporated into apps like **Messages**, allowing for easy sharing of your creations with others. Moreover, it will be available as a separate app for those wishing to delve deeper into its capabilities. If you’re on the waitlist for this feature, you can refer to [this guide](https://bgr.com/tech/how-to-request-access-to-image-playground-so-you-can-use-genmoji-in-ios-18-2-beta/) to expedite the process.
### 2. **Genmoji: Unique Emojis Like Never Before**
Apple is elevating emoji personalization with **Genmoji**. This feature enables users to craft custom emojis by merging two characters or objects. For example, by entering a prompt like “**monkey with a pink hat**,” Genmoji will create a unique emoji tailored to your description.
This function is ideal for users who enjoy expressing themselves through emojis but desire greater diversity and customization. For a detailed guide on using this feature, check out [this tutorial](https://bgr.com/tech/how-to-use-genmoji-ios-18/).
### 3. **ChatGPT Integration: Enhanced AI Capabilities**
While **Apple Intelligence**—Apple’s own AI system—has already garnered attention with its intelligent features, iOS 18.2 enhances this by incorporating **ChatGPT**. This integration allows users to access **Writing Tools** and other AI-driven functionalities for deeper assistance.
If you find that Apple Intelligence falls short of your requirements, you can opt for ChatGPT for more extensive help. However, if you’ve found Apple Intelligence to be overly insistent on confirmations for every ChatGPT query, follow [this guide](https://bgr.com/tech/how-to-stop-apple-intelligence-from-making-you-confirm-every-chatgpt-request/) to streamline that process.
### 4. **Revamped Mail App: Improved Inbox Organization**
The **Mail app** is undergoing a major transformation in iOS 18.2, introducing better ways for users to organize their inboxes. The app will automatically sort incoming emails into four clear categories:
– **Primary**: For personal and urgent emails.
– **Transactions**: For confirmations, receipts, and transactional messages.
– **Updates**: For social media alerts and news.
– **Promotions**: For marketing communications, coupons, and deals.
Furthermore, the Mail app will add a **digest view**, which aggregates all pertinent emails from a specific sender into a concise, easy-to-read summary, allowing users to quickly review important information without wading through numerous emails.
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## Why iOS 18.2 Is an Essential Update
Although **iOS 18** was a significant update, and **iOS 18.1** introduced **Apple Intelligence**, it’s **iOS 18.2** that is anticipated to truly engage users. The blend of inventive tools like **Image Playground** and **Genmoji**, along with practical upgrades such as **ChatGPT integration** and the redesigned **Mail app**, makes this update one of the most robust releases in recent history.
Moreover, the prospective release date of **December 9**—hinted at by the UK carrier EE—has only amplified the excitement. While the carrier’s choice to discontinue **Wi-Fi Calling** on certain devices is unfortunate, it appears to be connected to the broader rollout of
