Selected developers will receive a $500 voucher to build with the X API and gain early access to a revamped Developer Console, which aims for a more flexible and transparent experience. “We are expanding a closed beta to both new & power users who want to ship amazing apps on X,” the platform’s developer account posted.

The new model breaks away from X’s previous flat-rate structure by introducing granular pricing for various request types, including reading posts, sending direct messages, accessing trends, and pulling bookmarks. 

A built-in calculator now allows developers to estimate costs based on projected usage, a move the company says will help teams manage their spending with greater precision.

Unlike the old tiered system, which offered Basic ($200 per month), Pro ($5,000 per month), and Enterprise ($42,000 per month) plans, the pay-per-use framework is designed for a wider spectrum of developers, from startups to large-scale enterprises.

Many in the community had previously criticised the old model for being unaffordable and inflexible, particularly after X ended free API access in 2023.

That decision led to the shutdown of several popular third-party apps such as Tweetbot and Twitterrific, further affecting relations between X and its developer base. In a bid to ease some of that tension, the company later introduced top-up packs for developers who exceeded their usage limits.

Now, with this usage-based system, X appears keen to reposition itself as a platform that supports innovation rather than restricts it. Developers selected for the beta will be among the first to test the updated tools and pricing structure before a wider rollout.

Analysts say the pay-per-use API beta could help revive developer engagement on the platform, allowing X to compete more effectively with companies like Reddit, Discord, and Mastodon, all of which offer comparatively accessible API frameworks.

According to sources, the upgraded Siri will work with an improved App Intents framework, enabling developers to open parts of their apps to voice-based control. This means a user could tell Siri to find a specific photo, edit it, and send it to a contact; add items to an online shopping cart; comment on a social media post; or log into a service – all without lifting a finger.

Early tests are underway with a wide range of apps, including Uber, AllTrails, Threads, Temu, Amazon, YouTube, Facebook, WhatsApp, and Apple’s own suite. Developers are being encouraged to adapt their apps now to take advantage of the expanded capabilities before public rollout.

Apple plans to roll out the new Siri in spring 2026, alongside iOS 26.4, the biggest overhaul since the assistant launched in 2011. The feature is part of its strategy to embed Siri more deeply into the company’s ecosystem, spanning iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, AirPods, and Vision Pro. 

There are also plans to leverage processing power across devices to manage complex tasks.

However, not every app category will get full functionality from day one. Banking and healthcare, for example, may have limited integration at launch due to the risks of misinterpreted commands.

If the new system works as planned, it could finally deliver the hands-free, context-aware experience Apple promised more than a decade ago. It’s also a direct challenge to Google, Amazon, and OpenAI in the voice-driven app integration and generative capabilities space.