Apple’s latest AI innovation: Visual Intelligence, a feature of iOS 18.2 developer beta, brings Google Lens-like functionality to iPhone 16 models, enhancing the way users interact with their surroundings through their device’s camera.
Key features and functionality: Visual Intelligence allows users to perform a variety of tasks using their iPhone’s camera, including object description, price lookup, and business information retrieval.
- The feature utilizes ChatGPT to provide detailed descriptions of captured images and can answer follow-up questions.
- Visual Intelligence can extract important information like email addresses and phone numbers from images.
- Users can opt to use Google search instead of ChatGPT for visual searches, providing access to similar images and shopping prices.
- The tool also offers text summarization and translation capabilities for captured images.
How to use Visual Intelligence:
- Long press the Camera Control button to launch Visual Intelligence, which is indicated by a rainbow-colored outline on the screen.
- Point the camera at the desired object or scene and tap the on-screen shutter button to capture and analyze the image.
- For additional information, tap the chat bubble icon to interact with ChatGPT or use the Google search button for alternative results.
Availability and system requirements: The feature is currently limited to iPhone 16 models running the iOS 18.2 developer beta, with an official release expected in December.
- Visual Intelligence requires an active data connection to function properly.
- The tool is designed to work in vertical mode, with horizontal mode support not yet available.
Broader context: Visual Intelligence is part of Apple’s larger push into AI-powered features, collectively known as Apple Intelligence.
- Other Apple Intelligence features introduced in iOS 18.1 include Clean Up for object removal in photos and Writing Tools for style adjustments.
- Additional functionalities like call recording, proofreading, and text-based Siri interactions have also been introduced.
Looking ahead: As Apple continues to develop and refine its AI capabilities, Visual Intelligence represents a significant step in competing with established tools like Google Lens and enhancing the overall user experience of iPhone devices.
- The official release of iOS 18.2 may bring further improvements or changes to Visual Intelligence based on user feedback and testing during the beta phase.
- This development signals Apple’s commitment to integrating AI technology more deeply into its ecosystem, potentially leading to more advanced features in future updates.
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