Here’s how Apple plans to make money from ChatGPT. With the release of the iOS 18.2 beta, everything became clear

When Apple first talked about integrating ChatGPT into our iPhones, I especially remembered the fact that the neural network would be absolutely free to use. That is, it looks like owners of Apple equipment get the most fashionable AI, for which all other users pay $20 a month.

This step was completely different from the apple corporation, which must make money first and foremost. Well, maybe this is how Tim Cook and company want to increase iPhone sales, I think. Well, like, if you want to use advanced ChatGPT, buy an iPhone and don’t pay for the neural network. In principle, such a marketing ploy is quite acceptable.

And now a beta version of the latest iOS 18.2 was installed on my iPhone 15 Pro, and a separate ChatGPT setting item appeared in the Apple Intelligence system. I started studying and realized that we had been slightly deceived again. For the umpteenth time already.

How? but now I’ll show you.

ChatGPT, but not that one

So, where to find the ChatGPT settings menu in iPhone 15 and newer: First you need to make sure that you have the latest iOS 18.2 beta, then you should switch the smartphone language to English, request the option to test Apple Intelligence in the device display and wait for approval .

Next, you need to follow the path “Settings” – Apple Intelligence and Siri, and here you will see a separate item called ChatGPT.

So, we go to the ChatGPT settings, and a proposal appears to upgrade to the ChatGPT Plus version. Wait, what about free AI for iPhone owners?

And he is, of course. Truth a small nuance in the form of a daily limit on use. Moreover, how many times you can access the equivalent version of ChatGPT is not written anywhere in principle. However, it can be assumed that this principle is the same as when accessing neural networks directly on the official website: from 20 to 50 requests per hour, depending on the duration of the AI ​​response.

If a person often picks up his iPhone during the day, most likely such limits will not be enough. So – hello, new subscription! Bye, 20 dollars.

The main thing in all of this is that Apple will keep its commission on every transaction. Don’t remember that Apple has been about money for many years now, and not about daring innovations.

The bottom line is this: Apple is advertising a paid subscription to its external partner OpenAI, for which it will ultimately receive a cut. OpenAI is receiving an influx of new users, and the neural network continues to grow and get smarter due to millions of requests and conversations with Apple devices.

And only we remain deceived again, because we really believed in for free ChatGPT on iPhones.

But that’s not all

Please note that the ChatGPT settings are located in the “Extensions” section, which translates to “extensions”. That’s right, in the plural. I can bet anything that other great neural networks like Google Gemini will appear here in the not-too-distant future.

And for every new AI built into our iPhones, the distribution of the model will be just that. If you want it for free, you can ask the neural network something a couple of times a day. If you want to use artificial intelligence without restrictions, pay for a subscription. This is millions of money, satisfied shareholders and a jubilant Tim Cook, who next season will again stand in front of us with a slightly changed iPhone 17 with a faint voice.

But that will be a completely different story. Although, again there is more money for than for innovation.