According to Bloomberg, Apple is gearing up to deliver a more intelligent experience to iPhone users with the upcoming iOS 18.2 update, which will be released on December 2. The biggest highlight? A ChatGPT-powered Siri that promises to be a game-changer in virtual assistants.
However, there’s a catch: unlocking Siri’s full potential might cost users a monthly fee. Priced at $20 or around Rs 1,950, a ChatGPT Plus subscription may be essential to access the most advanced features of Apple Intelligence. Without this subscription, Siri will function with limited capabilities, somewhat dampening the excitement surrounding the feature-packed update.
Reports from 9to5Mac indicate that iPhone users can sign up for ChatGPT Plus directly through their settings. The path to subscription is simple: head to Settings, tap on Apple Intelligence & Siri, then navigate to ChatGPT and select Upgrade to ChatGPT Plus.
Although this method adds convenience, there won’t be any exclusive discounts for subscribing through the iPhone’s settings app. Users seeking the best deal may still want to sign up via a web browser.
Even without a subscription, ChatGPT-powered Siri will have some valuable features. Tools like Writing Tools and Image Playground will be accessible for free, but significant limitations will be expected. Advanced functionalities will be restricted, such as using the latest GPT models, generating images, analyzing documents, and browsing the web.
Those who pay for ChatGPT Plus will experience a transformed, more capable Siri, making the subscription almost necessary for power users.
This Rs 2,000 monthly fee also applies to users who wish to enjoy these features on Apple Intelligence-enabled iPads and Macs. Fortunately, anyone with an existing ChatGPT Plus subscription can sign in and use it to access the enhanced Siri experience across all eligible Apple devices.
While Apple Intelligence won’t officially arrive in India until April 2024, eager users can try out some features now by simply switching their device language from English (India) to English (US). It’s a small workaround for those who want a taste of what’s to come, but the full suite of features will only be available once the service launches officially.
In essence, Apple is taking a subscription-driven approach to its revamped Siri, making sure the best features are paywalled. Whether users will embrace this remains to be seen, but the promise of an AI-powered virtual assistant certainly adds a new layer of intrigue to the upcoming update.
