SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Apple is bringing a festive dose of artificial intelligence to its latest iPhones this holiday season with a free iOS 18.2 update. This upgrade introduces a playful new feature called “Genmojis,” allowing users to create custom emojis in seconds. The update, released Wednesday, highlights Apple’s push into AI as competitors like Samsung and Google already leverage the transformative technology.
Building on October’s earlier update, iOS 18.2 enhances Apple’s AI capabilities across iPhones, iPads, and Macs. With “Genmojis,” users can request unique emojis to share, although Apple has implemented safeguards to block inappropriate or harmful creations. The update also introduces an “Image Playground” for generating AI-powered illustrations and tools for drafting text and summarizing emails.
Notably, these AI features only work on iPhone models equipped with the latest processors, starting with the premium iPhone 15 line from 2022 and the iPhone 16 lineup launched this September. This exclusivity is expected to fuel upgrades during the holiday season, boosting Apple’s profits, which hit $94 billion last fiscal year. Apple’s stock has already risen 30% this year, pushing the company closer to a $4 trillion market value milestone.
The software update also expands its appeal globally, offering AI features tailored to English speakers in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, and the U.K.
While Apple’s AI offerings resemble those of rivals, the company is carving out a niche by prioritizing user privacy. Most of the AI processing happens directly on the device or within secure data centers, ensuring tighter control over sensitive data. For users seeking more advanced capabilities, Apple has partnered with OpenAI, enabling integration with the popular ChatGPT platform.
This update marks Apple’s latest move to blend cutting-edge AI with its hallmark focus on security, just in time for the year’s busiest shopping season.
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