Apple Considers Paid AI Features for Future iOS Versions
2 Sources
2 Sources
[1]
Apple Intelligence for $20/month? Not for at least 3 years - 9to5Mac
Some analysts this week started reporting that Apple could charge as much as $20/month for paid Apple Intelligence features. While that may be true, we likely won't see Apple charging for these features for at least 3 years. In this weekend's Power On newsletter, Mark Gurman directly addressed some of the recent reports about paid Apple Intelligence features. Although he does believe that the company will eventually start charging for these features, it won't be as soon as a lot of people are worried about. Apple unveiled the initial Apple Intelligence feature set back at WWDC, including an all new Siri, Genmoji, Image Playground, as well as a plethora of features sprinkled around Apple's stock apps. While these features are great, they do mostly run on-device. Given the fact that Apple is mostly playing catch-up in the AI race, it'd be a silly move for them to charge for something so basic this early on. Gurman writes that he expects the company to develop more advanced features on top of the existing Apple Intelligence feature set and charge for those features, but he believes that it'll take the company at least three years to develop something worth charging for, and that "may be the best-case scenario." In short, you won't have to worry about paying for Siri anytime soon.
[2]
Apple may put advanced intelligence features behind a paywall in the future
Apple is reportedly planning to put its Apple Intelligence features behind a paywall in the future. According to a report by 9To5Google, citing Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple may eventually charge a fee for access to its suite of artificial intelligence (AI) features, called Apple Intelligence. However, the subscription model is not expected to be implemented during the initial rollout phase.
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Apple is reportedly exploring the possibility of introducing advanced AI features in future iOS versions, potentially behind a paywall. This move could mark a significant shift in Apple's approach to AI integration and monetization.
Apple's Potential AI Paywall
In a surprising development, Apple is reportedly considering the introduction of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) features in future versions of iOS, potentially as paid offerings. This information comes from a recent report by Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, suggesting a significant shift in Apple's approach to AI integration and monetization
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.The Proposed AI Features
The advanced AI capabilities under consideration are said to include on-device processing for tasks such as auto-summarizing documents and auto-completing sentences. These features would likely be powered by large language models (LLMs) similar to those used in popular AI chatbots like ChatGPT
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.Potential Implementation and Pricing
While the exact implementation details remain unclear, there are several possibilities for how Apple might introduce these AI features:
- As part of a new tier of iCloud+
- As a standalone subscription service
- Bundled with Apple One, the company's all-in-one subscription offering
The pricing strategy for these AI features is yet to be determined, but it's expected to be in line with Apple's existing subscription services
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.Apple's AI Strategy
This potential move aligns with Apple's broader strategy to enhance its AI capabilities. The company has been working on its own large language model, known as "Ajax," and a chatbot project codenamed "Apple GPT"
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.Industry Context and Competition
Apple's consideration of paid AI features comes at a time when other tech giants are also exploring AI monetization. For instance, Google has introduced AI Premium for Google One at $19.99 per month, offering AI features in Gmail and Docs
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Potential Impact on Users and the Market
If implemented, this move could significantly impact iOS users and the broader AI market:
- Enhanced user experience for those willing to pay
- Potential differentiation between free and paid iOS features
- New revenue stream for Apple in the competitive AI landscape
Timeline and Uncertainty
While these AI features are being considered for iOS 18, expected to be announced at WWDC in June 2024, it's important to note that plans may change. Apple is known for its careful approach to new technologies, and the final implementation could differ from current reports
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