iOS 18.2 - This is Big!

Summary

In this week's Apple Weekly episode, Brandon explores the latest iOS 18.2 features, including camera toggles, visual intelligence upgrades, and improved AirTag functionality. He discusses Apple's potential new home AI tablet and the integration of health features into AirPods. Updates on the iPhone 17’s design challenges and the use of AirTags in an Australian political scandal add intrigue. With exciting new features for devices like Final Cut Pro and Apple’s continued focus on AI and wearable tech, the episode offers an exciting preview of Apple’s future innovations.

Takeaways

• 😀 Apple’s new smart home camera system is expected to offer better privacy features than Google, with a focus on user security.
• 😀 If Apple launches the smart camera, it could be a day-one purchase for those concerned about privacy in their homes and offices.
• 😀 AirPods are shifting towards a health management focus, with potential future models integrating features like temperature sensors.
• 😀 The integration of health features into AirPods may go beyond the rumored temperature sensor, though details remain scarce.
• 😀 The iPhone 17 Air, once expected to be as thin as the iPhone 6, is facing challenges in achieving that thickness due to battery design issues.
• 😀 Apple is encountering technical difficulties in making the iPhone 17 Air thinner, but it will still likely be thinner than previous iPhones.
• 😀 A city council candidate in Australia used AirTags to track stolen political posters, leading to a bizarre rivalry with his opponent.
• 😀 The political rival of the candidate who tracked the stolen signs with AirTags was arrested after the posters were traced to his home.
• 😀 The arrested city council candidate received a forged legal letter related to the stolen signs, which added an odd twist to the situation.
• 😀 Despite the drama, both candidates lost the election, but the use of AirTags provided an unexpected resolution to the sign theft mystery.
• 😀 The story highlights the unexpected applications of AirTags in real-life situations, showcasing their potential beyond just tracking personal items.

Q & A

What new feature was added in iOS 18.2 for the iPhone 16 series regarding camera control?

iOS 18.2 introduces a new 'Require Screen On' toggle under Display and Brightness settings, allowing users to launch camera control even when the device is locked. This enables users to access camera functions immediately after pulling the phone from their pocket without unlocking it.

How has Visual Intelligence been improved in iOS 18.2 beta 3 for the iPhone 16 series?

The improved Visual Intelligence feature in iOS 18.2 beta 3 now allows users to point their camera at locations (like restaurants or stores) and instantly view information such as reviews, hours of operation, photos, menus, and more, making it much more useful than before.

What changes have been made in the Music app in iOS 18.2?

In iOS 18.2, when removing a song from the queue in the Music app, the icon has been updated from text to a more intuitive circle with a minus sign. This small update improves the user experience for managing playlists.

What updates have been made to the Wallet app in iOS 18.2?

In the Wallet app, there's now a new label under the Apple Pay Cash card showing 'Greenbank' and 'FDIC Insured,' providing more transparency about the service. Additionally, mail from notable businesses like USPS now displays custom logos rather than just a generic icon.

What new customization options are available in Safari in iOS 18.2?

Safari now offers additional background images for the start page, which can be downloaded manually. These images sync across devices, including MacOS, offering a more personalized browsing experience.

How does the Image Wand feature in iOS 18.2 beta 3 improve the user experience?

The Image Wand feature in iOS 18.2 beta 3 allows users to generate images based on text or drawings. While the tool previously required text to function, the beta now supports generating images from both text and simple sketches, improving its usability.

What is the new 'Lost AirTag' feature in iOS 18.2, and how does it work?

iOS 18.2 introduces a 'Lost AirTag' feature in the Find My app, which allows users to share the location of their lost item with a third party, such as a police officer or an airline. This feature is already being adopted by several airports to help locate mishandled or delayed luggage.

What are the performance and battery life issues reported in iOS 18.2 beta 3?

While iOS 18.2 beta 3 shows impressive performance with a Geekbench score of 8705, the speaker notes that battery life continues to be a significant issue, likely due to the intensive use of AI features like ChatGPT, Visual Intelligence, and generative tools, which put a strain on the device's resources.

What are the expectations for the release of iOS 18.2's final version?

The final release of iOS 18.2 is expected to arrive either in early December, with some sources predicting December 2nd or 9th. This release will likely follow several beta updates, with the fourth beta expected in mid-November.

What is the upcoming AI home tablet device that Apple is reportedly working on?

Apple is reportedly working on an AI-powered home tablet, likely to be launched as early as spring 2024. This device will feature voice control with Siri, video calls, and Apple apps such as Safari, Music, Calendar, and Photos. It will be positioned as a competitor to smart home devices like the Google Nest Hub and Amazon Echo Show.