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iOS 18.2 Drops Sketch Style from Image Playground Feature!

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iOS 18.2 Drops Sketch Style from Image Playground Feature!

Apple has recently launched its second wave of Apple Intelligence, the iOS 18.2 beta. This version serves as a replica of the stable version, allowing selected users to test and experience all the upcoming features. Among the anticipated updates, iOS 18.2 will introduce several new Apple Intelligence features, including ChatGPT integration in Siri and new AI-powered image editing tools. One of the most awaited tools is Image Playground, which was initially introduced at WWDC 2024 as a key feature that would generate images in three styles: animation, illustration, and sketch. However, it appears that Apple is taking a step back, as the new iOS 18.2 beta version does not include the sketch style.

Changes in Image Playground

In the latest iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2 betas, the Image Playground app now includes only animation and illustration styles, raising questions about whether the sketch style might eventually be added back. Apple has recently edited the app’s description to remove any mention of Sketch, which was previously highlighted as a highly detailed and academic style that creates beautiful drawings on plain backgrounds.

Previous Features

Originally, Image Playground was designed to provide users with three distinct styles for image generation:

  • Animation: Offers a whimsical, 3D cartoon look with expressive characters and cinematic environments.
  • Illustration: Defined by strong outlines, simple shapes, and bold colors, providing uplifting and playful compositions.
  • Sketch: Intended to produce highly detailed drawings on stark backgrounds.

The removal of the Sketch option has led to speculation about Apple’s future plans for this feature.

What is an Image Playground?

Image Playground is a brand-new app designed to help users create images from their ideas. Much like ChatGPT, users can generate images by entering a prompt with suggested categories like themes, locations, and costumes to spark inspiration. The app focuses on stylized content, so the images won’t be realistic and can be generated in animation or illustration styles.

Functionality

Users can incorporate likenesses of friends and family by selecting images directly from their Photos app. While Image Playground works as a standalone app, it can also be integrated with apps like Notes and Messages and even added to third-party applications.

The application is geared toward both casual and professional users alike, providing a more dynamic approach to photo and image editing directly on their iPhones.

iOS 18.2 Launch and Features

The official launch of iOS 18.2 is confirmed for the first week of December. Apple will start rolling out the features to eligible devices, including iPhone 15 Pro models and iPhone 16 series. The iOS 18.2 update promises a range of exciting features designed to enhance both productivity and personalization for iPhone users.

Notable Additions

  1. Built-in ChatGPT: Offering on-demand AI assistance directly within iOS.
  2. Genmoji: Allows users to create custom AI-powered emojis, providing a fun way to express themselves with unique icons beyond standard emoji options.

Conclusion 

The removal of the Sketch style from Image Playground in iOS 18.2 beta raises questions about Apple’s commitment to offering diverse creative tools within its ecosystem. While users will still have access to animation and illustration styles for image generation, the absence of sketch functionality may limit creative expression for some.

As Apple prepares for the official release of iOS 18.2 in December, it remains to be seen whether the sketch option will be reinstated or if additional styles will be introduced in future updates. The ongoing evolution of Image Playground reflects Apple’s broader strategy to integrate advanced AI capabilities into its products while enhancing user engagement through innovative features.

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Zoho Pay Debuts as India’s New UPI Challenger, Taking on PhonePe, Paytm, and Google Pay

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Zoho Payment

Zoho Corporation has expanded its fintech portfolio with the launch of Zoho Pay, a UPI-based payments app built to challenge India’s top digital payment giants such as PhonePe, Paytm, and Google Pay. The new app supports peer-to-peer transfers, bill payments, QR-based transactions, and merchant settlements in a streamlined interface. Available as both a standalone app and an integrated feature inside Zoho’s privacy-driven messenger Arattai, Zoho Pay enables users to handle chats and payments in one platform, emphasizing data privacy and Made-in-India innovation.​

Through seamless integration with Arattai, Zoho Pay allows users to send or request payments, split expenses, and conduct UPI-based transactions directly in their chat windows. Users can link bank accounts, scan dynamic QR codes, and receive audio confirmations of payments, ensuring speed and security. This design mirrors the simplicity of India’s leading UPI apps but is powered by Zoho’s non-advertising, privacy-first model. The integration aligns with Zoho’s mission to build a self-reliant digital ecosystem, where messaging and money management coexist securely.​

In the competitive digital payments market, Zoho Pay differentiates itself through its tight business software integration with apps like Zoho Books, Zoho Payroll, and Zoho Commerce, offering small businesses unified access to payments, billing, and accounting. The company is also expanding its reach with POS devices for merchants featuring UPI QR, card payments, and instant reconciliation tools. With founder Sridhar Vembu’s vision of a ‘Chat + Pay’ ecosystem, Zoho Pay reflects a bold step toward redefining India’s fintech scene with a secure, ad-free, and locally developed alternative to global payment platforms.

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Meta Expands AI-Powered Reels Translation to Hindi and Portuguese, Enhancing Global Creator Reach

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Meta has expanded its AI-powered translation feature for Reels to include Hindi and Portuguese, joining English and Spanish in empowering creators to reach a broader global audience on Instagram and Facebook. Originally launched in August 2025 with support for English and Spanish, this update now allows creators to seamlessly translate and dub their short videos, breaking language barriers across some of the largest Reels markets worldwide. The AI technology mimics the creator’s voice tone and even offers lip-syncing to ensure the translated videos feel natural and engaging for viewers.​

This enhancement is especially significant for India, the largest market for Facebook and Instagram, where over 600 million people speak Hindi. Content creators who are not fluent in Hindi can now easily access this vast audience, increasing their reach and engagement across diverse linguistic groups. To maintain transparency, all translated Reels are clearly labeled with “Translated with Meta AI,” and viewers can choose to switch translations on or off based on their preference.​

In addition to voice dubbing, Meta is developing features to translate captions and text stickers on Reels, making content more accessible even without sound. These AI translation tools are available free for eligible public Instagram accounts and Facebook creator profiles with over 1,000 followers. This innovation reinforces Meta’s commitment to fostering cross-cultural content sharing and enhancing creators’ ability to connect with audiences around the world through short-form videos.

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Dunzo’s Collapse: Reliance’s ₹1,645 Crore Loss Signals Challenges in India’s Hyperlocal Delivery Market

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Startup Stories

Reliance Industries has officially written off its $200 million investment in Dunzo, a once promising quick-commerce startup in India. Despite high-profile backing and the potential to disrupt the hyperlocal delivery sector, Dunzo faced insurmountable challenges including high operational costs, unsustainable cash burn, and stiff competition from larger players like Zepto and Blinkit. Reliance’s decision follows Dunzo’s operational suspension, leadership exits, and failed attempts at securing additional funding or acquisition partners, ultimately resulting in the company’s digital platforms going offline in early 2025.​

The downfall of Dunzo was accelerated by its inability to maintain a healthy balance between rapid expansion and revenue growth, with losses in FY23 reaching an alarming ₹1,800 crore. With monthly expenses crossing ₹100 crore and mounting pressure to scale, Dunzo resorted to layoffs and delayed payments before shutting down most services outside Bengaluru. Reliance’s significant stake, initially seen as a strategic advantage, ended up limiting the startup’s flexibility in making independent decisions during its final months.​

Reliance’s write-off sends a strong message to India’s startup ecosystem about the risks inherent in quick-commerce and hyperlocal delivery models. Investors are increasingly focused on sustainable growth, disciplined scaling, and profitability. For Reliance, lessons from Dunzo’s collapse are shaping future e-commerce strategies, driving greater emphasis on operational efficiency and prudent financial planning in an intensely competitive market.

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