Your iPhone is one step closer to getting biggest free Apple upgrade in years

By David Snelling, Technology Editor

Apple Intelligence update (Image: APPLE)

Apple is staying tight-lipped about this hotly-anticipated release but one thing we do now know is that it must be coming soon. The US technology giant has just announced the launch of its iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2 beta updates which are available to download today.

For those not in the know, Beta software is unleashed to developers ahead of a global consumer launch. This allows software creators to test upcoming features and make sure their apps and services are up to speed with what's ahead.

These latest Beta updates contain all of the very latest Apple Intelligence features and with testing now underway a full-blown release can't be far away.

Apple Intelligence will help sort your inbox (Image: APPLE)

Apple Intelligence can create unique emojis called Genmojis (Image: APPLE)

Apple won't give an exact date but fans could well see their devices getting smarter within the next few months.

So what exactly is in the latest iOS, iPadOS and MacOS updates?

There's a whole raft of new things to watch out for as part of Apple Intelligence including the ability to rewrite emails so they sound more like you intended. A simple tap on the screen can switch written text from a formal to a more friendly tone and vice versa. It happens instantly and is totally private. Apple Intelligence can also proofread your messages to get rid of any embarrassing typos and summarise what's been said.

If your inbox is overflowing with spam it can sort things for you with the most important messages you need to read placed higher up on the screen.

Apple Intelligence can make unique images from a description (Image: APPLE)

Those who love sending text messages will also be able to create so-called Genmojis which are unique emojis made by writing a simple description of what you to see. For example, type "cute dog eating an ice cream" and you should instantly see a special emoji depicting exactly that.

Other changes in this release include the useful Clean Up tool which will automatically get rid of rogue people or objects ruining your photos. There's also the ability to make completely unique images using the new Image Playground option. Just tell Apple Intelligence what you want and it will do the rest. So, you can ask it to create an image of a friend on the moon or a family member on a surfboard and you won't need any Photoshop skills.

Another nice update is something called Image Wand which can transform a rough sketch into a polished image that complements your notes and makes them more visual.

Siri is also getting more useful with the assistant able to understand you even if you stumble as you speak and it will help you find out things about your device such as how to send an invisible message or how to reset my AirTags.

One final upgrade is Siri getting integration with ChatGPT. This will help provide results to questions when Siri determines ChatGPT can provide a helpful answer. There's also a Compose feature which lets you ask ChatGPT to create original content from scratch right from systemwide Writing Tools.

Apple Intelligence is jam-packed with upgrades that should be available on compatible devices such as the iPhone 16 range, iPhone 15 Pro models and new iPad mini soon.