Apple's Image Playground Gets 'Photorealistic' Capabilities With New AI - CNET

Our gifting experts are obsessively searching for holiday gifts that are unique, thoughtful and suitable for any budget. Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. At WWDC 2026, Apple shows off new AI image creation and editing tools. Apple Intelligence is getting an upgrade. Apple’s creative AI hub Image Playground will be capable of creating “photorealistic” AI images, thanks to new AI models running behind the scenes. Apple announced the news at WWDC 2026, the company’s annual developers conference. Image Playground is one of Apple’s original AI hubs, where you can create images with generative AI. Now, that content should be more customizable and look less like plastic AI slop. You will be able to edit specific parts of an image — an important capability for error-prone AI — by tapping on it and describing the change you want with a simple text prompt. Note the Apple Intelligence purple glow on the cake as the AI edits it. You’ll be able to use these AI creations across your device, including to make contact posters and backgrounds. This WWDC, we’re gett