Apple Home’s new AI summaries for security cameras cost more than you think

With the release of iOS 27, Apple is rolling out its highly anticipated suite of Siri AI features to its software ecosystem. A notable change is coming to Apple HomeKit, as the Cupertino company injects Apple Intelligence into its home security camera system.

The upgrade launches Apple’s Video Summary feature, where you can generate descriptions of videos captured on your home security system. The feature brings together related clips from multiple cameras for a complete picture of a specific event, allowing you to easily review events happening in your home. For example, Apple’s press release announcing the feature shows a man identified as Robert arriving at a house with a bowl of fruit, an example of how Apple Intelligence and HomeKit’s Face Recognition software work together to generate these summaries. You can also search for these recordings using natural language queries, as well as group similar videos together to reduce notifications. And while your willingness to invite another AI algorithm into your life may vary, there’s no doubt that the new feature is another sign of AI’s continued push into modern smart homes.

Notably, the feature will not be available to all Apple HomeKit users. As it stands, you need to have at least a 2nd generation HomePod, HomePod Mini, or Apple TV 4K running Apple’s latest operating system. You must also be using an Apple Intelligence compatible iPhone, nominally the iPhone 15 Pro or later. But probably the biggest hurdle is the price of the program’s cloud storage, which could cost you as much as $60 per month, depending on your camera count. For a list of compatible cameras, visit Apple’s Smart Home Accessories website.

Charging extra for a HomeKit Secure cloud video storage plan isn’t new. Before the AI ​​update, users could connect a network of cameras using 50GB, 200GB, and 2TB iCloud+ plans. However, the new AI features require you to pay for much more expensive iCloud+ plans. For a single camera, for example, you’ll need to invest in Apple’s 2TB iCloud+ plan, which will add $9.99 to your outlay. This monthly bill scales as you grow your smart home camera network. To use a second Apple Intelligence-enabled camera, you’ll need to upgrade to Apple’s $29.99/month, 6TB plan. Any setup between 3 and 5 cameras maximum requires 12TB of iCloud storage. That means using Apple Intelligence-enabled cameras around your home could cost a whopping $59.99 per month, meaning you could add more than $700 to your annual household expenses. Notably, this cloud storage is also your family’s iCloud storage plan.

Now, it’s worth mentioning that you can enjoy the benefits of Apple Intelligence’s HomeKit upgrades without deploying them to all of your security cameras. For example, you might want the AI ​​summary feature for your porch camera to track deliveries, but you might not find the same use for analyzing the opossum scurrying outside your back window. Selectively deploying the feature can help reduce costs.

However, it is equally important to note that these prices are not necessarily static. In its Apple Intelligence support page, Apple notes that supported cameras and iCloud+ features “may change over time.” Given the volatility of AI-powered subscription pricing, as companies desperately seek profitability, it is wise to examine the consistency of these pricing structures with a dose of skepticism. Fortunately, the feature is optional, so you won’t be signed up for an expensive subscription if you don’t plan to use the feature. For now, anyway.

If Apple’s home surveillance AI roundup tool seems worth the investment, you can set up your new AI-enabled security system directly on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. First, make sure you have your HomeKit Secure Video system set up on your iPhone or iPad by going to Settings > your name > iCloud > Show all, > Home. If you’re using a Mac, go to Apple menu > System settings > Your name, located at the top of the sidebar. From there, click iCloud > See All, Show All, or Show More Apps > Home.

To enable home camera video descriptions, go to your iPhone screen. Home application. Then press the Home tabhit him three dots icon and select Home Settings. Here you can enable Apple Intelligence. Once finished, you can choose which cameras you want to enable or disable the video descriptions feature.

If you want your HomeKit to recognize visitors to your camera roll, go back to your iPhone screen. Home application. After adding your camera to your Home app home page, go to Recognize familiar faceslight up Facial recognitionand press Continue. To add recent visitors to your camera catalog, go to Home tab, tap the cameraand select the gear icon. Then goo Facial recognitiontap the unidentified person in your Recent list, then tap Add a name. Here you can add appropriate identifiers and even choose if you want to be notified every time this person enters your camera view.

To prevent your smart home system from alerting you every time a raccoon passes by, reduce your notifications via the Home application on your iPhone. Visit your system settings by going to Home > three-dot icon > Home Settings. Then tap Apple Intelligenceand activate Reduce notifications.