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Apple Intelligence brings new AI-powered features to the Home app with the public release of iOS 27 and tvOS 27. The update adds AI tools to HomeKit Secure Video, but users seeking these features need an iCloud+ subscription.
Apple Intelligence for Home adds AI-generated video summaries that provide short text descriptions of events captured by compatible security cameras, along with the related video clip. The update also brings video search and an option to combine footage from multiple cameras into a single clip.
For one camera, users need the 2TB iCloud+ plan, priced at USD 9.99 per month. An Apple One Premier subscription, priced at USD 39.95 per month, also includes the required 2TB iCloud+ storage.
Users seeking Apple Intelligence on a second camera need the 6TB iCloud+ plan, priced at USD 29.99 per month. For up to five cameras, the requirement rises to the 12TB plan, priced at USD 59.99 per month. Apple did not say whether more than five cameras can use the AI features.
Camera recordings from HomeKit-connected devices do not count toward the iCloud storage quota.
The new pricing does not change the existing HomeKit Secure Video service. The service previously started at USD 1 per month for the 50GB iCloud+ plan, supporting one camera along with smart alerts and facial recognition.
The 2TB plan at USD 9.99 per month previously supported up to five cameras. In comparison, the 6TB plan at USD 29.99 per month and higher tiers supported unlimited cameras without the new Apple Intelligence features.
Also Read: Apple Gives iCloud+ a Major Upgrade in India: What Changes for Users
The higher cost could make Apple’s offering difficult to justify for users with multiple cameras. Amazon’s Ring and Google Nest charge around USD 20 per month for subscription tiers with similar AI-powered camera features, while both offer more features than Apple currently does.
Apple’s iCloud+ plans also include storage for photos, files, and device backups. Higher plans may provide higher limits for Siri AI and other Apple Intelligence features, although Apple did not release details about those limits.
The latest software updates also improve speed and reliability, while HomeKit Secure Video now supports 4K video resolution. The new AI features remain optional for existing users.
