Apple plans to charge iPhone owners an additional fee for access to AI features Apple Intelligence. It is about the amount from 10 to 20 dollars every month. Apple is making a big bet on AI.
CNBC writes about this with reference to Counterpoint Research analysts. The publication notes that Apple will be able to stimulate the growth of its profitable service business. At the same time, it is expected that a number of functions will be free at the start.
It is not yet known how exactly Apple will act: developers can offer new users free access to neural networks, and after a certain time introduce a paid subscription, similar to iCloud+. Or provide free features to everyone but charge extra for a premium, like OpenAI.
Announced in June 2024, the Apple Intelligence package provides access to neural networks and AI functions that are built on ChatGPT algorithms from OpenAI, Google Gemini and others. Now, some AI features are available to developers testing the beta version of iOS 18.
Bloomberg writes that Apple is betting big on AI. The company is confident that this is the area that will breathe new life into their devices and at the same time raise revenues. Thus, the focus of Apple's business will shift from hardware chips to software: introducing subscriptions and providing new AI functions only on the latest iPhone models.