Siri with ChatGPT
The integration with ChatGPT also covers the use of Siri. When you activate Siri (and observe the coloured glow that is part of the revised Siri experience as of iOS 18.1 and MacOS 15.1) and ask Siri to perform a task, you are asked whether to use ChatGPT or not. This can be simplified with a setting that always activates ChatGPT.
It is also possible to fall down to classic Siri use by searching the web. If you use ChatGPT, then you get a typical ChatGPT response.
Image Playground
This new application has an early access waiting list and as such I had to request early access. It took about a week to get access, but eventually I got a notification that the application was available and was able to launch it. On the Mac version, it had to load some resources taking some time, but the iOS version was immediately available.
The application can have two different types of styles, one being an animation style and the other being an illustration style. So, no photorealistic style is available at this moment. We have to also remember that this model runs on device, so it is not as powerful as some of the better models that can be found on the Internet.
The user selects a picture from the suggestions or an existing picture on Photos, complements it with a text prompt.
The tool generates multiple images in the selected style.
It is possible to use text prompts to modify the image in certain directions.
It is also possible to start from an existing photo directly. The Illustration style can be used to generate different images.
I wasn’t too impressed with this model, having used the likes of Midjourney and DALL-E to generate much better images. However, I’m also aware that this is just the initial attempt and it will get better in future releases.
Genmoji
This new beta provides a way to create new, custom emojis based on existing photos and textual descriptions. This can be done in several places, mainly where emojis could be input, but Messages and Notes are usual methods of use.
Image Wand
This is a tool that can be used to add images to your Notes by using an Apple Pencil and using the tool to turn it into a better illustration. Unfortunately I could not test it, since I did not have an Apple silicon-powered iPad.
Mail Categorisation
Mail now has built-in categorisations and a feature to show priority e-mails. Mails are categorised as Primary, Transactions, Updates and Promotions. It is not clear if these categories will be richer in future versions.
You can select to display mails grouped according to these categories.