.webp)
Apple has released the iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2 updates in Australia and New Zealand, offering new Apple Intelligence features for its users.
The updates mark the introduction of Apple Intelligence, a personal intelligence system aimed at providing relevant insights while maintaining user privacy, to iPhones, iPads, and Macs in the two countries. This comes alongside an expansion of localised English support, which already includes Canada, Ireland, South Africa, the UK, and the US. Users in these regions can now access improved functionalities such as Clean Up, Image Playground, Genmoji, and enhanced Writing Tools.
Clean Up is a tool allowing users to remove unwanted objects from photos, thereby preserving the original intent of the captured moment. The Photos app has been made smarter with the ability to carry out natural language searches across both images and video content.
Apple Intelligence also enhances memory creation features by facilitating users to generate movies from their photos and videos. Users can type descriptions and rely on the software's understanding to arrange content into coherent storylines.
Image Playground introduces a new creative outlet enabling users to design images with unique themes and accessories, adding a personal touch to their creations. This new app is also integrated into other applications such as Messages and Freeform.
Genmoji leverages Apple Intelligence to transform emoji usage, allowing users to create customised emojis using descriptions and personal library photos. These can be further personalised with various outfits and accessories, offering more dynamic ways to communicate.
The Notes app receives an upgrade with Image Wand, a tool designed to enhance note-taking by integrating more refined images based on sketches or text descriptions from the notes.
Writing Tools, embedded throughout Apple's operating systems, offer capabilities to rewrite, proofread, and summarise text. The integration with ChatGPT means users can also utilise this functionality for generating text and images directly within various systemwide applications.
Siri receives changes designed to make interactions more seamless and conversational. The update provides enhanced language understanding which allows Siri to maintain dialog context and improve task execution using ChatGPT integration.
Additionally, the Camera Control on iPhone 16 models gives users a way to learn more about their surroundings with a single click, offering capabilities like summarising and translating text as well as extracting contact information from visual content.
Users in Australia and New Zealand can now take advantage of these advancements by updating their devices. Future updates are expected to expand language support to include options such as Chinese, French, German, and more throughout the year, with the first phase expected in April.
