iOS 18.2’s Notes app gets three powerful Apple Intelligence upgrades

The second wave of Apple Intelligence features is coming soon, and it’s a huge upgrade—including for Apple Notes users. iOS 18 already packed a strong Notes update, but next month iOS 18.2 will bring three key AI improvements to Notes. Here’s what’s new.

Image Wand takes sketches to the next level

One of the powerful new AI image tools coming in iPadOS 18.2 is called Image Wand.

Image Wand can do two main things:

1. Turn your Apple Pencil sketches into beautiful illustrations
2. Create original images based on the surrounding context of your note

The former feature lets you turn quick doodles into AI-generated works of art. Whether you’re using an Apple Pencil or even your finger, you can quickly draw something in a note, then use Image Wand to create a more attractive, high-quality version of that sketch.

But even if a simple sketch is beyond your artistic know-how, you can also create Image Wand images with no starting base at all. That’s because Image Wand can analyze the text surrounding it and create an image that fits your note’s contents.

If you don’t have one yet, Image Wand is a good excuse to pick up an Apple Pencil Pro (currently just $82, down from $129).

Compose new text or direct your AI rewrites

The AI writing tools introduced in iOS 18.1 are getting two big upgrades in iOS 18.2 that are perfect for Notes users:

1. You can now have AI compose original text based on a prompt
2. Rewrites can now be made following your specific instructions

The new ‘Compose’ button sits at the bottom of Apple Notes’ writing tools panel. And it’s powered by the intelligence of ChatGPT.

Apple’s own home-grown tools won’t compose original text for you, but ChatGPT will, and it’s baked right into the system. Hit the ‘Compose’ button and give ChatGPT a prompt, then watch the text flow as it fills up your note.

A second great addition is ‘Describe your change,’ which lets you give instructions for rewrites. In iOS 18.1 you could only get rewrites in a few categories like ‘Friendly’ and ‘Professional,’ or use the generic ‘Rewrite’ button.

But in iOS 18.2, you can describe exactly how you want Apple Intelligence to rewrite your note, and it will get to work accordingly.

Create images directly from your text

Image Wand isn’t the only way to create Apple Intelligence images inside your notes.

iOS 18.2 also includes a new addition to the copy/paste menu that pops up when text is selected. It reads simply ‘Create image.’

This menu option lets you select any text in your note, hit ‘Create image,’ then watch Apple Intelligence go to work generating an original image to match your text.

Created images get added to your note and can be resized to your liking. And if you’re not happy with the first result, Apple will keep creating new images until you find one you like.

Apple Notes in iOS 18.2: wrap-up

Apple Notes is already one of the most powerful apps on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Soon, with these changes in iOS 18.2, it’s going to become a true AI powerhouse too.

What do you think of the new AI features in Notes? Let us know in the comments.

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