As previewed this week, the iOS 18.2 update introduces the second wave of Apple Intelligence, including Genmoji and Image Playground. The latter is a new image creation application through Apple Intelligence that allows users to generate cartoon-style illustrations from text descriptions. Although it is initially reserved for Americans (unless you configure your iPhone to use Apple Intelligence), here is how Image Playground works and what you need to know when it is released.
1. Getting Started with Image Playground
By updating to iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, or even macOS Sequoia 15.2, users will find the Playground app on their home screen, identifiable by a 3D animal icon. The app displays a text input bar to generate images from descriptions like “cat skateboarding” or “Paris sunset,” along with suggestions.
Playground allows you to mix photos from its library, suggestions from Apple (like “space”, “superheroes”, “summer”, etc.), or simply text queries. Each element added to the current creation is called “inspiration”.
With each addition of inspiration, the application generates several image options in square format (1024 x 1024) that can be viewed, selected, saved and shared.
2. Personalization Options
- People Integration: Users can personalize images by selecting individuals saved in their People album in the Photos app. The app uses unique features of each photo to create animated versions of familiar faces. We feel that Apple used its work on Memojis.
- Appearance Options: For those who prefer to create from scratch, the Appearance feature allows you to change basic facial features, like skin tone.
- Themes and Suggestions: Apple offers predefined themes, such as adventure, disco, and fantasy, as well as accessories like hats and costumes. These options make it easy to create imaginative scenes.
3. Rendering Styles
- Image Playground currently offers two styles: Animation (3D Pixar style) and Illustration (2D style). Although a third Sketch style was initially planned, it does not appear to be available yet.
- For human subjects, only bust-up images are possible, which currently limits the cases and avoids suggestive poses for example. You won’t be able to put grandma on a scooter or Tim Cook on rollerblades.
- The application is far from perfect, with sometimes strange renderings on images with several subjects. But you have to persevere and therefore iterate.
4. Restrictions and rights
- To prevent abuse, Image Playground restricts terms related to violence, political symbols, and sensitive content. Users who attempt to use banned words receive a message to adjust their description.
- Images of copyrighted characters or real people not present in the People album cannot be generated, ensuring ethical use.
5. Feedback
- As Image Playground is in beta, Apple is actively collecting user feedback through thumbs up/down buttons to refine the tool. Don’t hesitate to do so, like on ChatGPT for example.
6. Privacy
- Images are saved locally, and users can edit, share, or delete their creations at any time. All images are generated directly on the device, ensuring user privacy.
7. Sharing
Users can share their images from the Image Playground library or use the built-in mini-app in Messages for quick sharing in conversations. The share sheet also allows you to send images to platforms like Instagram or simply in the Files application.
Find the different features of Apple Intelligence in the official video:
7. Availability
Image Playground is currently available to developers through the iOS 18.2 beta, with a waitlist for access. A wider launch is expected for December, with the general public version of iOS 18.2 which will also contain Genmoji, Image Wand, the new Mail and more.
All AI features are limited to iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max and above like iPhone 16, as well as iPad M1 and above, and Mac M1 and above.
In a press release addressed to developers, Apple specifies that the deployment of each Apple Intelligence feature will extend over several weeks. The company is only talking here about the first wave intended for Americans. There is a queue that allows you to request access. Once authorized, your iPhone will download the necessary data for Apple Intelligence.
Access to Image Playground, Genmoji and Image Wand will be rolled out over the coming weeks. When features are ready for testing, you will be notified. After receiving access, you can tap the thumbs up or down that appear with each result in Image Playground, Genmoji, and Image Wand to provide feedback.
