AI news: GPT-6.1 Terra at half price, ChatGPT reads iCloud, Gemini API stores requests

This week AI got cheaper and moved closer to your data. OpenAI halved the price of its mid-tier model and opened ChatGPT to iCloud Mail, while Google changed a default data storage setting in the Gemini API. For businesses, these details now matter more than new model names.

OpenAI: GPT-6.1 Terra at half the price

On 26 October OpenAI released GPT-6.1 Terra, a new version of its mid-sized model. It is available to Plus, Pro, Enterprise and Edu users in ChatGPT Work and Codex, and to developers in the API as gpt-6.1-terra.

API pricing is $1 per million input tokens, $0.05 for cached input and $5 per million output tokens. That is 50% below the previous GPT-5.6 Terra. OpenAI says the model understands what is on screen, works across apps, and finishes tasks on average more than three times faster than the larger GPT-6 Astra and GPT-6.1 Sol. On an internal test of error-inducing prompts, its error rate at low effort fell from 53.6% to 16.7%.

For the hardest coding work OpenAI still points to Sol and Astra. Terra reaches the Critical level for cybersecurity capability under OpenAI's Preparedness Framework, so it keeps the same safeguards as Astra.

ChatGPT connects to iCloud Mail and Calendar

Since 27 October ChatGPT has plugins for iCloud Mail and iCloud Calendar, on all plans, on the web, desktop and iOS. In Mail it can search and read messages, manage drafts, send email and look up contacts. In Calendar it can read, schedule and update events.

Each service needs its own app-specific password. Mail only works with @icloud.com, @me.com and @mac.com addresses, not with Gmail or Outlook accounts in Apple Mail.

Gemini API: requests are now stored by default

On 26 October Google changed the default for new paid-tier projects in the Gemini API. Requests to generateContent, streamGenerateContent and batchGenerateContent are now stored by default (store=true), matching the Interactions API. Existing projects keep their current setting.

You can opt out per request with store=false, or for the whole project in the Logs and Datasets settings. A day later Google also released the Gemini API CLI in beta, a command-line client for AI agents, scripts and CI pipelines.

Anthropic files for an IPO

On 26 October Anthropic filed a Form S-1 with the US Securities and Exchange Commission for an initial public offering. It plans to list on Nasdaq under the symbol "ANT". The number of shares and the price range have not been set.

What it means for your business

1. Recalculate your AI costs. If you use GPT-5.6 Terra through the API, moving to GPT-6.1 Terra can halve the bill. Test it on your own tasks first.
2. Check the Gemini API storage setting. If you set up a new paid project that handles customer data, decide on storage deliberately and record it in your data processing records, especially under GDPR.
3. Set rules for mailbox access. Once AI can send email on your behalf, decide who may connect business accounts and for which tasks.

If you want to bring AI into your business safely and cost-effectively, see our AI automation service or get in touch.