Apple is rolling out the beta version of iOS 18.2. In addition to a fresh look at AI features, the update includes tweaks to the App Store and system apps.
iOS 18.2 is available in beta starting today. The focus of this update is on AI. After iOS 18.1 finally added Apple Intelligence to the operating system, iOS 18.2 adds new features, such as ChatGPT integration, and languages. For now, Apple Intelligence speaks only English, but supports different locales within that. Expansion to other languages is said to be planned in subsequent iOS updates.
Unfortunately, the whole Apple Intelligence story is not so relevant yet for those living in the EU. In protest of the DMA and the obligations that come with gatekeeper stature, Apple is refusing for now to bring its AI suite to European users.
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For macOS the door would still be ajar, but for iOS it remains firmly shut for now, and iOS 18.2 does not change that. China is also excluded from Apple Intelligence for similar reasons,
Admissions
This does not mean that European Apple users should just skip iOS 18.2. Apple is making further concessions to Europe that are indeed relevant to users. If you’ve always wanted to remove the App Store from your iPhone, you can when you install the latest update. iOS 18.2 also makes it easier to choose system apps for mail, messages, browser and keyboard.
Apple, thus under pressure from the EU, is handing over more and more of the reins in iOS. It started with allowing sideloading in iOS and now we are already to the point where users can completely remove the App Store for third-party app stores. Until a year ago, this would have been unthinkable. Those changes only apply within the European Union,
The iPhone maker makes no bones about the fact that it is not set up with the DMA. As a gatekeeper, Apple falls under the strictest rules. Apple in June received the dubious honor of being the first major tech company to answer under the DMA.