Apple has released the AI-powered version of its latest mobile operating system, iOS 18.2, to its public beta users. The update includes new features like an AI emoji generator app called Genmoji, an Image Playground AI image app, ChatGPT integration with Siri, and visual search using the iPhone 16 cameras, among others. Previously, these features were only available to developers.

While consumers can now queue up to try out the new AI features, there’s one caveat to be aware of: some of them will require signing up for a waiting list for access.

Collectively, the AI ​​features and tools coming to the new iPhone 16 and other supported devices are known as Apple Intelligence, which can be cleverly abbreviated as “AI” for short. Big technologies based on language models promise users a smarter Siri, in-app writing and correction assistance, and imaging capabilities, among other things. Third-party developers will be able to, too take advantage of Apple Intelligence features in your own apps – something that could ultimately prove to be Apple Intelligence’s most useful offering if it were to be widely adopted.

For example, users could ask Siri to show them information from inside their apps or take action on something that appears on their screen. At Apple’s developer conference in June, the company said its AI technology would first be made available to select categories of apps, including books, browsers, cameras, document readers, file managers, journals, email, photos , presentations, spreadsheets, whiteboards and word processors.

In the meantime, users will most likely want to try out features involving ChatGPT and image creation.

Image Playground introduces a standalone image generator application where you can create new images by requests. Genmoji offers a similar system for creating custom emojis. And Image Wand will be able to turn your rough sketches from your notes into AI-generated images.

With Siri, users can enable a new ChatGPT extension that gives Apple’s virtual assistant an expanded set of capabilities. For example, you’ll be able to ask ChatGPT to help you write text, answer questions, create images, and more. If you are logged in, it may also keep a history of your requests. Paid subscribers will also be able to use the advanced ChatGPT capabilities that their membership provides – a win-win for businesses where ChatGPT gets massive exposure through iPhone installed base, while Apple gets a smarter Siri.

iPhone 16 users can also press the new camera control button to launch Visual Intelligence, a way to search for and identify real-world objects and places through the camera lens.

Unfortunately, for those who wanted to try Apple Intelligence, a waiting list is still required for some features. Apple Intelligence must first be enabled (as it is not enabled by default), then users will need to sign up for other imaging features before access is granted. Apple hasn’t said how long users will have to wait before gaining access, but it could be days or even weeks during this beta period.

In part, that’s because of AI safety concerns — users already are NSFW emoji design with Genmojifor example, but it also gives Apple time to safely scale features to its users.

Before the release of iOS 18.2, Apple released AI features including writing tools and notification summaries powered by Apple Intelligence in iOS 18.1, as well as debuting the new look for Siri, where the edges of the screen glow.

In addition to the iOS 18.2 beta, Apple also released the first public betas of iPadOS 18.2, macOS Sequoia 15.2, and tvS 18.2.