Plex is trying to push its users into a subscription model, and to be honest, I'm somewhat upset about it.

Plex is trying to push its users into a subscription model, and to be honest, I'm somewhat upset about it.

      The top streaming deal has suddenly become three times more costly.

      I've been a long-time user of Plex, and I truly appreciate what the app offers. However, upon reading their recent announcement, I had to set my phone down and take a moment. Plex is increasing the price of its Lifetime Plex Pass from $249.99 to $749.99 effective July 1, 2026.

      This isn't merely a price hike; it represents a massive 200% increase. The manner in which they've presented this change only adds to my frustration. This follows a price rise from last year when the lifetime pass was raised from $119.99 to $249.99, along with another increase in the remote pass announced last month.

      Is Plex trying to shift everyone towards subscriptions?

      In their announcement, Plex mentioned they contemplated eliminating the Lifetime Pass altogether since recurring subscriptions are more beneficial for long-term development. They decided to keep it, but at a price that is hard for most users to justify.

      I believe pricing something out of reach is quite similar to discontinuing it. The new lifetime fee of $749.99 is akin to paying for a decade of subscriptions at the current rate, which is ridiculous. It’s evident that the company is steering new customers towards a subscription model, and that frustrates me.

      To their credit, current Lifetime Pass holders will retain all their benefits without any additional costs. For the moment, the prices for monthly and annual subscriptions remain unchanged. So, if you're interested in securing a lifetime pass, I suggest you act quickly.

      Is there anything positive on the horizon?

      To soften the blow of this news, Plex shared a roadmap of upcoming features along with the announcement. Enhancements are coming for downloads, including the ability to group by show and automatically download new episodes.

      Support for music and photo libraries is returning to mobile apps. Additional features such as playlist creation, NFO metadata support, IPv6 compatibility, and audio improvements like dialog enhancement are also on the way.

      It’s a decent list, and I must acknowledge Plex for sharing it. However, a promising feature roadmap does not make a 200% price increase any easier to accept.

      If Plex plays a significant role in your daily routine, you have until 12:01 AM UTC on July 1 to purchase the Lifetime Pass at $249.99. After that, it will rise to $749.99, and honestly, at that price, the subscription starts to seem much more appealing, which is likely the goal.

      ---

      Spotify introduces verified podcast badges to ensure you're listening to genuine hosts rather than AI imitators.

      After launching verified artist badges for music creators, Spotify has now announced verified podcast badges, allowing listeners to confirm they’re tuned in to their favorite hosts and not some AI clone.

      The badge will appear as a light green checkmark on show pages and search results, indicating that the show has been verified for authenticity. Not every podcast will receive the badge immediately; Spotify is beginning with select shows and plans to expand gradually over the coming months.

      ---

      YouTube provides Gemini Omni for free, but the best AI search functions remain behind a paywall.

      During Google I/O 2026, Google unveiled upgrades to YouTube, giving users a free AI-powered creative studio while also offering a paywalled search enhancement. The new feature called Ask YouTube resembles AI Mode and is designed for the extensive video library available on the platform.

      Additionally, Google introduced Gemini Omni, a "create anything from anything" tool, which will be accessible in the YouTube Shorts Remix and Create app, marking a significant announcement for content creators. However, while Omni is currently free, Ask YouTube requires a subscription.

      ---

      Google and Xreal's Project Aura smart glasses are set to launch later this year.

      Google is developing several smart glasses, with the first one utilizing the Android XR platform being expected around July. The market for these devices is expected to become quite competitive soon. Earlier today at the I/O 2026 Developers Conference, Google also unveiled a new category of audio glasses created in collaboration with Warby Parker and Gentle Monster.

      The most intriguing product among them is the Xreal Project Aura smart glasses, which feature full hand gesture support and a mixed-reality view for Android apps accessible via the Play Store. These smart glasses were initially showcased in December 2025, but Xreal confirmed today that they will be available in 2026.

Plex is trying to push its users into a subscription model, and to be honest, I'm somewhat upset about it. Plex is trying to push its users into a subscription model, and to be honest, I'm somewhat upset about it. Plex is trying to push its users into a subscription model, and to be honest, I'm somewhat upset about it. Plex is trying to push its users into a subscription model, and to be honest, I'm somewhat upset about it. Plex is trying to push its users into a subscription model, and to be honest, I'm somewhat upset about it. Plex is trying to push its users into a subscription model, and to be honest, I'm somewhat upset about it. Plex is trying to push its users into a subscription model, and to be honest, I'm somewhat upset about it.

Other articles

Fairplay and NCSE have requested that the FTC look into Roblox regarding child safety concerns and allegations of ‘unfair and deceptive’ marketing practices. Fairplay and NCSE have requested that the FTC look into Roblox regarding child safety concerns and allegations of ‘unfair and deceptive’ marketing practices. Fairplay and the National Center on Sexual Exploitation have requested that the US Federal Trade Commission look into Roblox for allegedly engaging in 'unfair and deceptive' design and marketing practices. Gemini is now able to create videos, summarize your morning, and handle digital tasks while you rest. Gemini is now able to create videos, summarize your morning, and handle digital tasks while you rest. Google's Gemini app is undergoing a significant enhancement, which includes cinematic video creation, morning summaries, more detailed responses, and a round-the-clock assistant that manages tasks. OpenAI has launched a new website that allows you to determine whether an image is genuine or artificially generated. OpenAI has launched a new website that allows you to determine whether an image is genuine or artificially generated. OpenAI is collaborating with Google to simplify the identification of AI-generated images by employing invisible watermarks, metadata, and a public verification tool that is currently available for use. Google Play is introducing app previews similar to TikTok and incorporating AI-driven search features. Google Play is introducing app previews similar to TikTok and incorporating AI-driven search features. Google has announced the integration of Google Play with the Gemini app, which will enhance app and content discovery. The company has also introduced Play Shorts, a short video feed for exploring apps, along with Ask Play, a conversational AI search feature that assists users in finding the appropriate apps. ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Grok are not prepared to inform American voters. ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Grok are not prepared to inform American voters. Chatbots are not dependable for news updates. With the midterm elections 167 days away, let's examine what existing research reveals about ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Grok, along with the actions being taken by the labs. French firms have submitted a $10 billion proposal for one of the five AI gigafactory locations planned by the EU. French firms have submitted a $10 billion proposal for one of the five AI gigafactory locations planned by the EU. A French consortium led by Scaleway has submitted a bid of approximately $10 billion to construct one of the AI gigafactories proposed by the European Union.

Plex is trying to push its users into a subscription model, and to be honest, I'm somewhat upset about it.

Starting July 1, 2026, Plex will increase the cost of its Lifetime Plex Pass from $249.99 to $749.99. While it may be presented as a positive change, I’m not convinced, either figuratively or literally.