AI also checks prices and restocks... Apple introduces Safari shopping notifications

▲ Photo: AI-generated image

Apple has introduced an artificial intelligence (AI) feature to its web browser Safari that notifies users of product price drops and restocking availability. This approach allows the browser to handle the task of repeatedly opening the same shopping page to check for changes. Apple unveiled this feature on September 14, alongside the launch of its next-generation Apple Intelligence.

The core of this feature is 'Get Notifications'. When a user describes the changes they want to monitor on a webpage, Safari monitors that page and sends a notification when a change is detected. Apple presented price reductions and product restocking as prime examples of its use. It also includes a feature that automatically groups related tabs by topic, helping to organize pages when comparing multiple products and reviews.

Applying these new features to daily life could change how long purchases are delayed. For example, imagine finding a desirable pair of headphones but not needing to buy them immediately. You can request to monitor the price changes of that product and, once a notification arrives, review the purchasing conditions again. The browser acts as an assistant, checking for changes in items of interest while the consumer is doing other things.

Support information related to domestic users has also been released. Apple's iOS/iPadOS 27 feature support table includes Korean as a supported language for Safari's 'Get Notifications'. However, the September 14 launch announcement did not specify compatibility with individual domestic shopping malls or concrete notification intervals. It is necessary to individually check for Korean language support and actual operation on the sites one uses.

Device requirements must also be considered. For iPhones, iOS 27 is required on Apple Intelligence-supported devices such as iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max, and iPhone 16 or later models. The device language and Siri language must be set to the same supported language. Safari's new AI features are also available on supported iPads and Macs.

The schedule for Safari's Korean language support and the launch of the new conversational service 'Siri AI' in Korean differs. Apple announced that Siri AI will first be offered in English beta, and the Korean version will be gradually provided as a beta version starting in October. This is why it is necessary to check the support timing for each feature you wish to use.

After receiving a notification, it is important to distinguish between the displayed price on the product page and the actual payment amount. Shipping costs, coupon application conditions, and membership discount eligibility must also be checked together to determine the total purchase cost. As a hypothetical example, even if the displayed price of a product that was 300,000 won including free shipping drops to 285,000 won, if a new shipping fee of 20,000 won is added, the final payment amount becomes 305,000 won. This is a difference that can be missed if only looking at the price drop notification.

Coinreaders AI Life suggests 'time spent checking' and 'actual amount spent' as criteria for utilization. First, one can consider narrowing down the scope to a few items they intend to purchase and setting a budget. After using it, one can check whether the effort of repeatedly checking pages has decreased and whether notifications have led to an increase in unplanned purchases.

This Safari update demonstrates the small role AI can play in everyday life. It involves entrusting technology with the task of monitoring desired changes, while consumers decide on purchases based on necessity and budget. The utility of lifestyle AI is revealed not in the number of features, but in the time actually saved and the expenses that can be managed.