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By: Rick O’Donnell
Now that more of the features are being released for the new iOS and how it changes the landscape of their software, we have a better idea of the selling point for the new iPhone 16. The beta for iOS 18.2 was released the other day to developers and here’s what it brings so far.
As someone who has had the latest iPhone since the launch let me say, that the new beta 18.2 finally makes it feel like a new phone worthy of an upgrade. I wasn’t in direct need of a new phone but decided to pick one up as mine was starting to act a little wonky after being a few years old, having switched from the annual upgrade. Nothing about the latest iterations made it feel necessary to spend the extra cash, until now.
Let everyone else go on and on with their jokes and scathing reviews on how the iPhone is just the same as last year with a slightly better camera and internal processor. That’s fine. Where the iPhone 16 will stand out with the new iOS is in your day-to-day activities. Apple has finally added some software leaps that make it feel like you have a shiny new toy so let’s dive in.
First and foremost, the new UI for the Mail app is fantastic. While I will admit getting used to categorized groupings might take some getting used to, it is no different than what Apple’s predecessors have already worked into their mail applications. Finally, they’ve worked in a way to delete emails from the same sender in bulk. You know, those emails you haven’t unsubscribed to because you don’t want to miss the one or two sales that make it worth the flood of other emails. Yup, those are all gone with the simple swipe of a finger. It even shows just how many you’re deleting from the sender. If you receive more than one that you haven’t checked, it stacks them neatly and a simple scroll after you open them will reveal the previously sent.
Another great addition was Visual Intelligence which gives a glimpse into the future of Apple’s Vision Pro, but that’s a discussion for another day. The number one thing you need to know about Visual Intelligence is it makes use of the new photo capture button with a hold. Instead of bringing up the camera itself, when you hold down the button your camera still comes up, but it becomes an image-based search engine. Not sure what you’re looking at? Snap a quick photo and within seconds you’ll have a search result that shows similar items based on the photo you took.
Siri with ChatGPT will be a game changer for anyone who uses the voice assistant on an iPhone. Apple already hit a home run with their upgrade to Siri with Apple Intelligence. ChatGPT integration only takes it one step further. When you talk to Siri, you’ll get an initial response using Apple Intelligence. If that isn’t sufficient it will allow you to follow up with ChatGPT.
What’s the point of Apple Intelligence then if ChatGPT is doing the heavy lifting? Easy. If you’re someone who values privacy, then the comfort of knowing that your information isn’t going out to a third-party first should give you piece of mind. Although Apple says that ChatGPT won’t collect user data either, it’s more comforting knowing you can choose when and where to step outside of the Apple ecosystem or simply search the web.
So what does Apple Intelligence with ChatGPT allow you to do? That was the hardest thing to figure out when tooling around with the new software. Luckily for you, I’m stubborn and was going to figure out at least one use.
Let’s say you’re someone trying to lose weight. You now can ask Siri with Apple Intelligence “Create a meal plan for weight loss” and you’ll get a planned breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu for at least a few days to try and plan your week ahead. If you’re someone who has a pretty good diet already and struggles with one meal (mine is breakfast), you can say “Use only the breakfast items” and it will clear the other two meals out and show you a pre-made meal plan for your morning routine.
Alas, the waiting list for the Image Playground is taking its time with acceptance for myself and many other users. When it becomes available be sure to check back for a breakdown. With that being said, Apple has knocked it out of the park with this release. If you were waiting for them to (finally) do something that made your phone feel like new, then you’re in luck. Physically the phone is the same, but the iPhone 16’s capabilities took a huge leap forward.
