# iOS 18.2 Beta: New Features and Anticipations
Apple has commenced the beta phase for **iOS 18.2**, brimming with thrilling new functionalities, particularly aimed at enhancing **Apple Intelligence** capabilities. This update also brings a number of upgrades for European users along with general enhancements. Below is everything you should be aware of regarding the forthcoming iOS 18.2 update, anticipated to launch later this year.
## Release Date
Should Apple adhere to its typical release timeline, **iOS 18.2** is likely to be available to the public in **December 2024**. Although the company hasn’t specified an exact date, it has mentioned that some features currently in beta will be made available “later this year.”
## Prominent Features in iOS 18.2 Beta 1
The iOS 18.2 beta brings forth a host of new features, categorized into three primary domains: **Apple Intelligence**, **European Union (EU) updates**, and **general improvements**.
### 1. Expansion of Apple Intelligence
Apple is making considerable advancements to its **Apple Intelligence** features in iOS 18.2. Below are the most significant enhancements:
#### **Genmoji Feature**
A highlight of iOS 18.2 is **Genmoji**, which empowers users to design custom emojis by merging two figures. For instance, you might enter a phrase like “monkey wearing a pink hat,” and the system will generate a distinct emoji based on your input. This feature offers a fun and imaginative method to customize your emoji experience.
#### **Image Playground**
With the **Image Playground** feature, users can swiftly craft playful images. You have the option to select from various styles such as **Animation**, **Illustration**, or **Sketch**. This feature is integrated into apps like **Messages** and is also available as an independent app, streamlining the process of creating and sharing personalized visuals.
#### **ChatGPT Integration**
For those seeking more sophisticated replies, **ChatGPT** can now be incorporated into Apple’s **Writing Tools** and other functionalities. This integration enables a more dynamic and intelligent interaction when Apple’s built-in intelligence tools fall short.
#### **Visual Intelligence Enhancements**
Apple is also refining its **Visual Intelligence** features. This enhancement allows users to quickly gain insights about objects and locations. For example, by pressing and holding the **Camera Control**, you can retrieve information such as a restaurant’s hours or ratings, add events from flyers to your calendar, or even recognize a dog breed with a simple snap.
#### **Image Wand**
The **Image Wand** feature enables users to convert rough drawings into refined images. Moreover, users can select vacant areas in the **Notes** app to generate images based on the nearby context, facilitating the visualization of ideas.
#### **Wider Apple Intelligence Access**
Additionally, Apple Intelligence is reaching more regions, including **Australia**, **Canada**, **New Zealand**, **South Africa**, and the **United Kingdom**, thereby making these features accessible to a larger audience.
### 2. General Enhancements
Apart from updates to Apple Intelligence, iOS 18.2 introduces several general improvements that enrich the overall user experience.
#### **Revamped Mail App**
The **Mail** app undergoes a substantial redesign in iOS 18.2. The updated version features on-device categorization that automatically organizes incoming emails into sections such as **Primary** (for personal and urgent emails), **Transactions** (for confirmations and receipts), **Updates** (for news and social notifications), and **Promotions** (for marketing emails and coupons).
Additionally, the Mail app now includes a **digest view**, which compiles all relevant emails from a business into one comprehensive, easily readable format. This aids in managing your inbox more efficiently and swiftly locating important information.
#### **Default App Changes**
For the first time, iPhone users will have the ability to alter the default apps for **Messages** and **Phone**. This grants you the option to set third-party applications as your standard messaging or calling app, offering greater flexibility in your iPhone usage.
#### **Volume Limitation**
A new **Volume Limit** option has been introduced in the **Settings** app. This feature allows for the setting of a maximum volume level for your iPhone’s speakers, ensuring that audio isn’t overly loud. This is particularly beneficial for safeguarding your hearing or minimizing disruptions in quiet settings.
### 3. EU-Specific Modifications
Apple is also implementing various changes to comply with new regulations within the **European Union**. While the specifics of these adjustments have yet to be fully disclosed, they are anticipated to encompass revisions to privacy settings, app permissions, and potentially even app store policies to align with the EU’s **Digital Markets Act**. These modifications will likely primarily impact users in Europe, although they could set a standard for future updates in other regions.
