Siri-ChatGPT: What the iOS 18.2 Beta Reveals and What to Expect

As Apple continues pushing the boundaries of AI integration with its products, the iOS 18.2 beta has given us some early insights into how the Siri-ChatGPT partnership will play out on iPhones. The feature, which Apple initially teased at WWDC 2024, brings advanced AI capabilities powered by OpenAI’s ChatGPT to Siri, making the virtual assistant smarter, more interactive, and capable of handling complex prompts. However, like many new features, there are limitations, and in this case, a “daily limit” that users need to be aware of.

1. The Daily Limit

One of the standout features of iOS 18.2’s beta 2 is the introduction of a “daily limit” for using ChatGPT’s advanced capabilities. In Settings, under a new Advanced Capabilities section, users can monitor how much of ChatGPT’s processing power they’ve used and how much is left for the day.

According to this feature:

• Basic access to ChatGPT will remain free, but there will be a cap on the number of queries or tasks you can perform with advanced features, after which Siri will revert to using a basic version of the AI for 24 hours.
• This limit appears to be similar to the restrictions found on ChatGPT’s free tier via OpenAI’s app, where heavy use of complex queries would nudge users towards upgrading to ChatGPT Plus.

2. Introducing ChatGPT Plus for Siri

For those who need more out of their AI assistant, Apple has introduced the option to upgrade to ChatGPT Plus, which offers significant benefits over the basic version. Available for a monthly subscription of $19.99/£16 (approx. AU$30), ChatGPT Plus allows for a greater range of advanced capabilities, including:

• More messages and queries: Users will have access to 5x more interactions per day using OpenAI’s GPT-4o model.
• Better performance on complex tasks: With ChatGPT Plus, Siri will be able to tap into models that handle difficult math problems, reasoning tasks, and scientific equations—making it more versatile than ever before.
• Image generation: ChatGPT Plus allows Siri to generate images and upload more photos or files, which could prove useful for creative tasks.
• Advanced Voice Mode: For those who interact with Siri using voice commands, the Plus subscription grants extended access to ChatGPT’s Advanced Voice Mode, which goes beyond the free tier’s 10-minute monthly limit.

However, it’s important to note that while these features are listed in the beta, how they will be integrated into Siri’s interface is not entirely clear yet. Users can already see the premium features advertised in Settings, giving a sneak peek at what’s to come.

3. ChatGPT Search & Early Access

An intriguing addition to the ChatGPT Plus experience is early access to the upcoming ChatGPT Search feature, which is currently limited to the ChatGPT app and Safari. Whether or not this will become a Siri feature in future updates remains to be seen, but its potential to offer faster, more accurate web-based answers could dramatically improve Siri’s current functionality.

4. Apple Intelligence Upgrades

Siri’s ChatGPT integration is just the start of Apple’s AI overhaul. In early 2025, we’ll see more features rolled out under the Apple Intelligence banner, which will bring enhanced personalization and contextual awareness. Siri will get smarter at understanding the user’s needs based on what they’re doing in real time, a feature dubbed personal context.

The on-screen awareness function, for instance, will enable Siri to answer queries related to what’s happening on your device at the moment—whether you’re browsing an app, watching a video, or reading a document. This is expected to make Siri much more efficient and responsive, even for routine tasks.

5. Genmoji and Image Playground

Also launching alongside Siri’s ChatGPT integration in iOS 18.2 are other Apple Intelligence features such as Genmoji and Image Playground, which will introduce users to new, AI-driven ways of interacting with emojis and media creation on their devices. While these features are tangentially related to the ChatGPT update, they offer a glimpse into the broader direction Apple is taking with AI in the near future.

6. Daily Limits: Will You Need to Upgrade?

For most users, the daily limit is likely to be a manageable restriction. The exact number of interactions or tasks allowed under the free tier hasn’t been revealed yet, but it’s safe to assume it will be generous enough for light to moderate users.

However, for power users—those who often rely on Siri for managing their work, solving complex problems, or even creating content—ChatGPT Plus will be an appealing option. The advanced capabilities it brings, such as access to high-level models, image creation, and voice processing, could streamline workflows and make Siri an indispensable tool.

7. When Can You Try It?

Apple is expected to release iOS 18.2 with the Siri-ChatGPT integration in early December. By then, users will be able to decide whether the free tier meets their needs or if upgrading to ChatGPT Plus is the way to go. As always with beta versions, more information could be revealed as the public release draws closer.

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