Apple Starts Charging for AI: $50 Intelligence Usage Packs
Apple has launched its first paid add-on for AI features: a $49.99 one-time intelligence usage pack, debuting in Logic Pro with more Creator Studio apps to follow.
SUMO· the number puzzle
Dialo· learn languages by speaking
ediviewer· read EDI files like documents
giftdetect· the right gift in minutesApple has begun charging for expanded use of its AI features. The first "intelligence usage pack" is now available in the latest Logic Pro update, priced at $49.99 as a one-time purchase.
Until now, every Apple Intelligence feature has been free on Apple devices, although the company had said that would not last forever. Users can find the new option in Logic Pro by choosing Intelligence Features from the menu bar, then Show Usage, and finally Buy More Usage.
How the packs work
Unlike most AI services, which rely on subscriptions, Apple is selling extra capacity as a single payment, at least for now. According to Apple's terms, packs do not support Family Sharing and can be used only by the Apple Account that was signed in to iCloud at the time of purchase.
Unused usage rolls over from month to month and expires 12 months after purchase. Extra usage is consumed only after a user has reached their monthly limit for the relevant features.
What comes next
Logic Pro is currently the only app offering the packs. Apple is expected to roll them out to Final Cut Pro, Pixelmator Pro and the iWork suite as the remaining, already-announced Apple Creator Studio updates arrive this month.
For now the packs are limited to Creator Studio apps. A similar model could eventually extend to other server-based AI features such as Siri AI, Image Playground and the Photos editing tools, though Apple has not announced such plans.
For heavy users of Apple's creative apps, the change introduces a usage ceiling and a price for going beyond it. Occasional users should be unaffected, since the monthly allowance remains included.
Apps worth a look
SUMO: the number puzzleTap the right tiles, add them up, hit the target. Easy to learn, hard to master. Free, for all ages.
Dialo: learn languages by speakingTalk to an AI conversation partner; every sentence comes back corrected and explained in your language. 9 languages, A1 to C2.
ediviewer: read EDI files like documentsOpen EDIFACT and X12 messages, see every segment explained, convert to JSON/XML, export PDF and Excel. Runs locally, no upload.
giftdetect: the right gift in minutesPick who it is for, the occasion and their personality. The search engine reads product descriptions from local shops and ranks what fits. Free, no sign-up.
More from this day
See all →
Cisco adds Anthropic's Claude Mythos to AI Defense for red teaming
Google TPU 8tx and 8i Max Challenge Nvidia in AI Chips
Marble Imaging raises €6M to build German VHR satellite fleet
