Apple has recently announced that it will integrate OpenAI's ChatGPT into the upcoming iOS 18.2 release. This update is expected to be officially rolled out in December, allowing users to experience a smarter Siri and other enhanced features.
According to the latest news, the test version of iOS 18.2 includes a new option to upgrade to ChatGPT Plus directly from the settings, offering users an easy way to subscribe to OpenAI's paid service for $20 per month.
This change could attract a significant number of Apple users to sign up for ChatGPT Plus, as the free version offers limited functionality. Free users cannot access OpenAI's latest models (such as o1-preview) or enjoy advanced features like advanced voice modes. Additionally, free users are restricted to generating only two images per day with DALL-E and have limitations on the number of messages they can send. Therefore, many users may opt for the paid subscription to gain a better experience.
Regarding the partnership between Apple and OpenAI, the profitability model remains uncertain. Although it is reported that Apple did not directly pay for this integration, they aim to achieve a win-win situation by increasing OpenAI's visibility. By adding the ChatGPT Plus upgrade option in the settings, Apple hopes to effectively encourage user registration, thereby bringing more paying customers to OpenAI. If user registration is not enthusiastic, OpenAI could face a surge of new free users, which might significantly increase their AI inference costs.
Moreover, it is currently unclear whether Apple will take a commission from ChatGPT Plus registrations made through the settings app. Apple seems to be aiming to attract more customers by offering advanced AI features, thereby boosting sales of new phones. Apple also stated that it will integrate AI models from other developers in the future, possibly including Google's Gemini, to further enhance the intelligence of its products.
Against this backdrop, OpenAI is undergoing a new round of financing while facing frequent departures of its executives. It was reported that Apple originally planned to participate in OpenAI's latest $6.6 billion financing round, but after the departure of OpenAI's Chief Technology Officer Mira Murati, Apple decided to withdraw.
Key Points:
🔹 Apple will integrate ChatGPT into iOS 18.2, allowing users to upgrade to ChatGPT Plus directly via settings.
🔹 ChatGPT Plus offers more features, with limited functionality for free users and richer experiences for paid subscribers.
🔹 The profitability model of Apple's partnership with OpenAI is unclear, with both parties aiming to achieve mutual benefit through increased visibility.