Apple announces that its artificial intelligence in Safari will allow users to create extensions by describing them to the browser. The move aims to alleviate the shortage of add-ons compared to Chrome or Firefox. However, the company's history shows deliberate control over extensions to keep its ecosystem closed, and this solution does not break that dynamic.
Generative AI with technical and access limitations 🧠
AI-created extensions will be basic and less powerful than those available on Chrome. To use them, the user must have an iCloud+ subscription or pay per use. Additionally, Apple will share browsing data to train its model. The ban on extensions that deeply modify the browser or compete with Apple services, such as advanced ad blockers, remains in place.
The masterstroke: fewer features, more surveillance 🔍
Apple sells as innovation what should have always been free: functional extensions. Now, instead of opening Safari, it asks you to whisper your needs to an AI that, of course, listens to everything. The best part is that if you want an extension that actually works, you'll have to pay and give up your history. Good thing the competition doesn't know about these magic tricks.