'We will have some kind of upgrade possibilities on iCloud+,' to cover the compute costs, CEO Tim Cook says on an earnings call.
Potential iCloud+ Upgrades for AI Usage
Apple CEO Tim Cook indicated that heavy users of the new revamped Siri and Apple Intelligence features might need to upgrade their iCloud+ plans. This is intended to cover the computational costs associated with these advanced AI functionalities, though a definitive plan is still being formulated.
Prior Mentions of AI Usage Limitations
This is not the first time Apple has alluded to potential usage limits for its AI features. Earlier reports, referencing Apple's WWDC event, hinted that certain AI functionalities, such as the Image Playground, could come with predetermined usage caps.
iCloud+ Current Features and Recent Price Adjustments
iCloud+ is primarily known for offering expanded cloud storage options, with plans ranging from 50GB ($0.99/month) to 12TB ($60/month). It also provides privacy-focused features like Hide My Email and iCloud Private Relay. Recently, Apple increased iCloud+ subscription prices in eight countries, including Japan and Turkey.
Overview of Updated Siri AI Capabilities
Apple's updated Siri, currently accessible via iOS 27's public beta and slated for general release with the next iPhone generation in September, brings significant enhancements. These include a new chatbot-like interface, the ability to understand and act upon on-screen content, perform actions across different applications, and create custom Shortcuts using natural language prompts.
