iOS 18.2, macOS 15.2 updates arrive today with image and emoji generation

image c/o arstechnica.com
image c/o arstechnica.com

Apple has announced that it will be releasing the iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2 updates to the public later this afternoon, following weeks of beta testing for developers and users. As with iOS 18.1, the headlining features are new additions to Apple Intelligence, mainly the image-generation capabilities: Image Playground for general images, and "Genmoji" for making custom images in the style of Apple's built-in Unicode-based emoji characters.

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/12/ios-18-2-macos-15-2-updates-arrive-today-with-image-and-emoji-generation/

iOS 18.2 Is Here: Check Out What’s New for Apple Intelligence

image c/o pcmag.com
image c/o pcmag.com

This update is critical for Apple to build momentum around its flagship AI product, especially after the first batch of features that arrived in October with iOS 18.1 were a bit of a letdown. Though they had the stellar design and ease of use we expect from Apple, none revolutionized the way we use our devices. I've even found myself wanting to turn off the notification summaries at times because they don't always accurately sum up emails and texts.

https://www.pcmag.com/news/apple-intelligence-what-to-expect-ios-18-2-chatgpt

Hate the new iOS 18 Photos app? Here’s how to fix it in a few taps

image via macworld.com
image via macworld.com

One of the biggest new features of iOS 18 is a completely redesigned Photos app. Apple calls it the “biggest redesign ever,” and the massive changes have been quite contentious, to put it mildly. Many users have expressed frustration with the new layout, complaining about missing features (some of which aren’t really missing) and difficulty finding what they’re looking for.

https://www.macworld.com/article/2547052/hate-the-new-ios-18-photos-app-heres-how-to-fix-it-in-a-few-taps.html

Samsung’s One UI 7 looks rather iOS-y.

image via theverge.com
image via theverge.com

The upcoming redesign teased in a (seemingly premature) video found on Samsung’s Spanish website shows off smoother animations and a revamped Quick Panel, with quick settings now packed in bubbles — just like on iOS. The pill-shaped live activities feature also shares some similarities with Apple’s Dynamic Island.

https://www.theverge.com/2024/11/29/24308683/samsungs-one-ui-7-looks-rather-ios-y

Apple gives developers a way to nominate their apps for editorial consideration on the App Store

image via techcrunch.com
image via techcrunch.com

App developers will have a new path for getting their apps recognized and promoted, Apple told developers at WWDC 2024 this week. In an update planned to arrive in September alongside the release of iOS 18, developers will be able to alert Apple’s Editorial team about their app’s new content or features ahead of its release to be considered for featuring on the App Store.

https://techcrunch.com/2024/06/13/apple-gives-developers-a-way-to-nominate-their-apps-for-editorial-consideration-on-the-app-store/

The free Delta game emulator for iPhones is live on Apple’s App Store

image via theverge.com
image via theverge.com

The app marks the first significant and officially sanctioned game emulator for the iPhone since Apple began allowing them, with wide-ranging console emulation from the original Nintendo Entertainment System to the Nintendo 64 (and even the Sega Genesis, for when you want to play those games that Nintendon’t).

https://www.theverge.com/2024/4/17/24132984/delta-free-emulator-nintendo-gba-n64-iphone-app-store-us

Apple pulls a Game Boy emulator for App Store violations, but says game emulators are allowed | TechCrunch

image via techcrunch.com
image c/o techcrunch.com

First launched on Sunday, iGBA was an ad-supported copy of the open source project GBA4iOS that offered a Game Boy game emulator for iOS. The new app worked as described, allowing users to download both Game Boy Advance and Game Boy Color ROMs from the web and then open them in the app to play. However, the app was submitted to the App Store without the permission of GBA4iOS developer Riley Testut, who also developed the AltStore and Delta, a Nintendo emulator and popular successor to GBA4iOS.

https://techcrunch.com/2024/04/15/apple-pulls-a-game-boy-emulator-for-app-store-violations-but-says-game-emulators-are-allowed/