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At WWDC 2026, Apple unveiled new artificial intelligence features for the Home app. The company demonstrated, among other things, smart search of camera footage, automatic event summaries and improved management of video monitoring. However, it did not disclose which iCloud+ plans will have access to these new features. The answer only appeared in the documentation for the latest macOS beta. For many users, this may be a major disappointment.
New AI features only for higher-tier subscriptions
Apple has confirmed that Home AI features will be available only to users with an iCloud+ plan offering at least 2 TB of storage. This means users on the cheaper 50 GB and 200 GB plans will not have access to the new capabilities. It is a surprising decision, because the 200 GB plan already supports up to five HomeKit Secure Video cameras. Those are exactly the configurations that would benefit most from intelligent search of recordings and automatic event summaries. Apple has decided, however, that the AI features will remain reserved for users of the more expensive subscription. To use them, you will need to pay for a plan costing $9.99 per month or more. New additions include intelligent search of camera footage, automatic person tracking, combining footage from multiple cameras and recording in higher quality. These are features that use artificial intelligence operating within the Apple Home ecosystem. The company's decision quickly sparked discussion among users.
Users accuse Apple of trying to boost revenue
Many commenters believe that limiting AI features to the 2 TB plan is intended to encourage customers to subscribe to the more expensive tier. Critics point out that users on the 200 GB plan already pay for multi-camera support and could use the new features without any problem. Apple has not given detailed reasons for its decision. It is possible the company wants to offset rising costs associated with developing AI-based services. For now the new rules apply in the beta versions of the systems and may still change before the official launch. It is also unclear whether Apple will expand access to Home AI in the future. At present, everything indicates that the most interesting smart home features will remain reserved for higher-tier iCloud+ plans. For some users, this may be another reason not to extend the Apple ecosystem.
New Apple Home AI features will be available only to users on iCloud+ plans with 2 TB of storage or more. Apple's decision has drawn criticism, because even subscribers on the 200 GB plan won't have access to the Home app's smart features.
source: digitaltrends
