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ChatGPT Integration With Siri
The next step of Apple Intelligence is here. After a slow rollout with iOS 18.1, Apple has added a slew of new AI features for the iPhone with the update to iOS 18.2. After using the new additions in the beta versions, I’m much more excited about how Apple’s suite of tools is shaping up.
ChatGPT Integration With Siri
By far, the best new Apple Intelligence feature is the long-awaited Siri with ChatGPT integration. Siri has long been derided as light years behind other voice assistants, and for good reason. The ChatGPT infusion of smarts finally helps to make the virtual assistant so much better.
Without ChatGPT, Siri could previously handle some very basic tasks, like providing the weather forecast, showing a sports score, or sending a message. With more difficult queries, it would automatically search Google and then show you the results on the iPhone screen.
In most situations, instead of going through that with Siri, I would just pick up my phone and do the Google search myself, not worrying about the time-wasting step. Now, ChatGPT does a great job filling in those gaps.
With the old Siri, a question like “What are some good dinner ideas?” would bring up a Google search and lead to even more searching. The same question using the ChatGPT-infused Siri provides six different options, with a follow-up providing a full recipe. You can even copy the results with one touch into a document.
And, it provides much more than just a quick recipe. You can also have ChatGPT write something or even create an image with just your voice. While the native ChatGPT site and app has a nice voice mode, being able to tap Siri for the same information is really great and convenient.
To make the integration even better, head to Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri. Then select ChatGPT. Something you might want to do is toggle off Confirm ChatGPT Requests. By default, every time Siri wants to ask ChatGPT for an answer, it will ask your permission.
This is for privacy purposes. However, in day-to-day use, it slows down the process when you need to verbally approve each request. Of course, there are always things you should never share with any chatbot.
In the same menu, you can also sign in to your ChatGPT account, whether you’re a free user or have ChatGPT Plus. This lets you access all of your history with Siri online or through the ChatGPT app.
Visual Intelligence
Visual Intelligence is another great feature, though it’s only available on the iPhone 16 series.
To activate it, long-press the Camera Control button. You can choose from two options: Search and Ask. Search uses Google to find a match for something, like when you’re shopping. Ask taps ChatGPT for more information about the image.
I can take an image of my water tumbler and use Search to see where I could purchase another one. When choosing Ask, I can see more information about the brand and ask follow-up questions like what the price is and how long it can keep water cold. I could also take a picture of my dog, and it would automatically identify it as a beagle.
When out and about, you can use the feature to take a photo of a restaurant and see more information like hours and even a menu. The feature was sometimes hit-or-miss when testing, but it should get better as Apple refines what it can do. It also gives the Camera Control button another great use.
Image Playground
Another more fun way to use Apple Intelligence in iOS 18.2 is with the Image Playground. The app is basically an AI-powered way to create unique, cartoon-like images or illustrations using text prompts.
So, you can start with something like “Dolphin driving a car.” You can then further refine the image with “Turn the car purple,” or “Make the car a sports car,” until you are happy with the product. You can swipe through three options and select one to save to the app’s library. Anything saved can be changed further or shared with others.
If you’re not sure where to start, the app also offers a wide variety of suggestions you can start building an image with, including themes, costumes, accessories, and places.
You can’t simply name a person for the app to use, but you can quickly import an existing photo from a Photo Library. Once it’s imported, you can build up a fun image. I now know what I look like on the moon, wearing a top hat and bow tie, while eating cheese.
It’s a fun way to see what Apple Intelligence can do. It won’t make you more productive, but you’ll definitely smile.
Genmoji and Image Wand
There are two additional features that use the Image Playground technology found in iOS 18.2.
The first is Genmoji in the Messages app. This allows you to turn almost anything you can think of into an emoji to send. Like Image Playground, you just describe what you want to see and Genmoji will get to work. You can describe something like “panda eating Chinese food” or “dog playing football.” A few options are provided, and then you can select the one you like the most.
But you’ll likely have more fun creating an emoji of yourself or others. One of my most-used emoji is the facepalm. Now I can have a more personalized version with the Genmoji of myself. I’ve already come up with other options to use with family and friends. I suspect we’ll be seeing a rush of unique Genmoji soon.
Just for Apple Notes at the moment, Image Wand lets you add an image to your Notes using the same technology behind Image Playground. You can start from scratch or even create an image from handwritten or typed text. On an iPad, you can also use images you draw using your Apple Pencil.
Writing Tools was one of the Apple Intelligence features that arrived in iOS 18.1. The iOS 18.2 update makes the suite significantly more useful. Instead of just making your existing text better, you can tap ChatGPT to compose something from scratch.
You can use the chatbot to create text just by typing in what you’re looking for. That’s a huge help and available from anywhere on your iPhone.
When you want to rewrite something, you can now do more than just the Friendly, Professional, or Concise option from iOS 18.1. You can describe exactly what you want to change in the rewritten text.
While we all knew that the Apple Intelligence features would arrive in a months-long process, the first wave in iOS 18.1 didn’t show the true direction of what was to come. But now that iOS 18.2 is here, I’m much more confident in the future of AI-powered features.
