Apple’s much-anticipated AI-powered image generation tool, Image Playground, has finally arrived in the iOS 18.2 developer and public betas. This feature, announced in June, allows users to conjure up cartoon-like images based on their text descriptions. However, a crucial aspect of Image Playground, at least in its current beta state, appears to be missing: the Sketch design style.
Initially, Image Playground was set to offer three distinct design styles: Animation, Illustration, and Sketch. The Sketch style, as described in the App Store preview, promised “highly detailed and academic” drawings against stark backgrounds. However, the beta version of Image Playground presents only the Animation and Illustration styles, with no mention of Sketch. The App Store preview has been revised to reflect this change, with the Sketch style description completely removed.
This begs the question: what happened to the Sketch style? There are two plausible explanations.
The most likely scenario is that the Sketch style is simply not yet ready for inclusion in this beta version of iOS 18.2. It’s possible that Apple is still working on refining this feature and plans to introduce it in a future beta update or even in a later iOS version altogether.
However, another possibility cannot be ruled out: Apple may have decided to completely remove the Sketch style, at least for now. This could be due to various factors, such as technical difficulties or strategic changes in the development roadmap.
While the absence of Sketch may seem disappointing, it’s worth remembering that Image Playground is still under development. It is expected to see significant improvements before its public release, which could potentially include the reintroduction of the Sketch style.
Regardless of the future of Sketch, Image Playground shows promise. Its potential to transform text descriptions into visually engaging images is undeniable, and its arrival on iPhone, iPad, and Mac is eagerly anticipated. Some components of the tool might even become available to the general public as early as next month.
The fate of the Sketch style remains shrouded in uncertainty. Whether it’s a temporary omission or a permanent exclusion, the absence of this design option adds a layer of intrigue to the ongoing development of Apple’s Image Playground.
