Apple has detailed pricing for its one of its new Apple Intelligence features in iOS 27, which can generate video descriptions and AI summaries for clips recorded on compatible HomeKit cameras. However, unless you’re rocking just the one camera in your home, you probably aren’t going to be happy.
Apple says the feature – which creates a database searchable using natural language – requires an iCloud+ plan with 2TB of storage. That plan costs $10 a month and a lot of people already have it for document and photo storage. Not too bad, right?
Well here’s where it gets complicated. If you want the AI Summaries, searchable database and intelligent grouping of notifications for two cameras, you’ll need the $30 a month 6TB iCloud+ plan. If you have up to five cameras, the 12TB $60 a month plan is required.
If you have Apple One Premier, which includes 2TB of iCloud+ storage as standard, then you’ll still only get support for AI summaries from a single video camera.
As MacRumors points out, the AI element is very much out of whack with Apple’s current plans for HomeKit Secure Video. While it has required a paid subscription to record video from compatible cameras, as well as streaming live video and receiving image analysis for captured people, pets, cars and more.
However, with a 2TB iCloud+ plan you’ll get support for five cameras that can each save ten days worth of footage without counting towards your iCloud data limits.
Naturally users have taken to Reddit to register their displeasure at the high tariff on AI features for HomeKit compatible cameras. Some pointed out that all five of their cameras were accessible during the beta phase of iOS 27.
One user added: “I guess the cost of years of unlimited home recordings/cameras is finally coming home to roost.”
Another chimed in: “Really p****d off about this. I already pay for iCloud+ with 2TB, as well as Apple One, but that’s STILL not enough for them?? Sheer greed, and considering we’ve stuck with the dire HomeKit for this long while getting nothing from Apple!”
Rumours are that Apple is planning to launch its own video cameras and in-home AI-based sensors as a wider expansion into smart home tech gets underway.
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