Apple has started selling extra capacity for its AI features, and the first product is a one-time purchase rather than a subscription. According to 9to5Mac, the new "intelligence usage packs" arrived with the latest Logic Pro update and cost $49.99 each in the United States.
How the pack works
Logic Pro 13 includes an intelligent assistant that Apple says can help users find their way around production workflows, start a new song or set up a vocal track from a single prompt. The assistant has a monthly usage limit. Users who run out can open the Logic Pro menu on the Mac, choose Intelligence Features, then Show Usage, and finally Buy More Usage. MacRumors reports that the pack is valid for one year and is offered to Apple Creator Studio subscribers in the U.S., Canada, Brazil, France, Germany, India, Mexico and the United Kingdom.
Not part of an iCloud+ plan
The two outlets also point to a separate question: how Apple will charge for the server-based features of Apple Intelligence. Apple has said in several press releases that expanded access to features such as Siri AI, Image Playground, the Extend and Reframe tools in Photos and natural-language shortcuts will be "available for a fee in the future." The company has also said that extra usage will eventually be included with select iCloud+ plans, but it has not published pricing or a date, according to MacRumors.
The Logic Pro assistant appears to sit outside that arrangement. An Apple support document cited by MacRumors says some intelligence features in Creator Studio apps are powered by third-party providers, and that the Logic Pro assistant is powered by Google Gemini. That suggests, MacRumors notes, that its usage packs will not be folded into iCloud+ plans.
What comes next
9to5Mac says Logic Pro is the only app that sells usage packs for now. Once the remaining Creator Studio updates that Apple has already announced arrive later this month, the outlet expects packs to appear in Final Cut Pro, Pixelmator Pro and the iWork apps too. 9to5Mac adds that a similar model could eventually reach other server-based features, though Apple has not said so.
Until now, every Apple Intelligence feature has been free on supported devices. The usage packs are the first time Apple has put a price on additional AI use, even if only inside its professional creative apps. Apple has not announced a price for any of the consumer features it has described as fee-based.
Apple publishes full terms for the usage packs on its website.
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