At WWDC 2024, Apple made a major announcement, revealing its new partnership with OpenAI to bring ChatGPT into iOS 18. This integration marks a significant upgrade to Siri, making it smarter and more capable by using OpenAI’s language model. However, recent details about the iOS 18.2 beta suggest that while the new AI features were initially promised to be free, there’s a catch: some of them won’t be entirely free after all.
Apple’s initial pitch made it seem like these AI enhancements would come at no extra cost. But as the beta version rolls out, it’s clear that users will face limitations unless they choose to pay for a premium subscription to ChatGPT Plus.
Apple built an entire iOS product lineup on AI just to give it a daily limit and make you upgrade to a $20 a month subscription… peak innovation pic.twitter.com/bugTKaEBEx— zach (@sighzach) November 4, 2024
ChatGPT in iOS 18: What’s Included and What’s Not?
In the latest iOS 18.2 beta, users can see the first glimpse of ChatGPT integrated into Siri. This upgrade allows Siri to answer questions and complete tasks in a much more conversational and intelligent way, powered by OpenAI’s language model. However, there’s a catch, Apple has placed a daily cap on the number of questions users can ask ChatGPT. Once the limit is reached, the AI reverts to a more basic, less helpful version unless users decide to subscribe to ChatGPT Plus.
The settings menu in iOS 18.2 now includes a “ChatGPT Daily Limit” option, where users can see how many queries they have left and can choose to upgrade to the paid version for unlimited access to advanced features. This setup follows OpenAI’s usual policy of offering free access with limits while encouraging users to pay for more robust capabilities.
The Free vs. Paid ChatGPT: What’s the Difference?
With the introduction of usage limits on the free version, it’s important to understand what’s available in both the free and paid plans. Here’s a breakdown:
Free ChatGPT:
– Query Limit: Free users can ask a limited number of questions per day.
– Basic Answers: Once the limit is exceeded, users are given simplified responses that may not be as detailed or helpful.
– DALL-E 3 Images: Free users can generate up to two AI images per day using DALL-E 3.
Paid ChatGPT Plus ($20/month):
– Access to ChatGPT 4.0: The Plus plan unlocks access to the more advanced version of ChatGPT, which has better conversational abilities.
– Increased Query Limit: Plus subscribers can ask up to five times more questions per day.
– Enhanced Features: The paid plan also includes voice mode, web browsing, and a higher limit on photo and file uploads.
How This Partnership Benefits Apple and OpenAI
This integration is a win for both Apple and OpenAI, but also a clever marketing strategy. For Apple, the ChatGPT features offer a compelling reason to upgrade to premium devices like the iPhone 15 Pro or the upcoming iPhone 16 series. With AI-powered Siri, these devices are positioned as more capable and intelligent, making them more attractive to potential buyers.
Meanwhile, OpenAI benefits by creating a new revenue stream through its paid ChatGPT Plus plan. Users who want unlimited access to advanced features will need to subscribe, ensuring that OpenAI can continue to monetize its AI technology.
What’s Next with iOS 18.2?
The iOS 18.2 update, expected in early December, will likely give users a full look at how the Siri-ChatGPT integration will work in practice. The real question is whether users will be willing to pay for the premium features of ChatGPT. While the free version offers a taste of the AI’s potential, the more advanced capabilities will come at a cost. As AI assistants continue to evolve, it seems that smarter, more capable Siri may come with a price tag, something to keep in mind as Apple deepens its relationship with OpenAI.
As Apple continues to enhance its ecosystem with cutting-edge AI tools, the partnership with OpenAI signals just how integrated artificial intelligence is becoming in everyday smartphone use. However, whether the free version’s limits will turn users off or encourage them to pay for more remains to be seen.
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