Apple will be allowing access to new image creation tools like Image Wand, Genmoji, and Image Playground “in the coming weeks,” creating a particularly long waitlist for testers.
Despite the release of the first beta of iOS 18.2 to developers, access to these new graphics tools will still be limited.
Apple has told developers that “when features are ready for testing, you will be notified.”
This waitlist approach is similar to how Apple limited access to its suite of Apple Intelligence features in the previous iOS 18.1 beta, but in that case, access became more widespread more quickly.
Developers can express interest in testing some of the new graphics features, but Apple has not provided specific instructions on how developers can request this access. It is also unclear whether they can sign up to test multiple features at once.
For regular users, based on the timeline that Apple has previously outlined, it is likely that iOS 18.2 with new graphics features will be released before the end of 2024.
The public beta of iOS 18.2 is unlikely to launch before the end of November, while the official release is expected to arrive sometime in December.
The official iOS 18.1 update, which offers some Apple Intelligence features, is expected to launch in the last week of October.
“Once you have access, you can tap the thumbs up or down icon that appears alongside each result in Image Playground, Genmoji, and Image Wand to provide feedback,” Apple told developers in its announcement.
Apple appears to be cautious in rolling out its Apple Intelligence features due to concerns about “illusion” phenomena and other issues that have been documented in other AI models.
“We take precautions at every stage of our process, including design, model training, feature development, and quality reviews to identify how our AI tools could be misused or lead to potential risks,” the company said, referring to its AI principles.
