Shutdowns, pricing changes, new model releases, and the controversies — tracked as they happen, sourced, and updated when the facts change. Not marketing copy from the companies involved.
Launched August 24, 2026, it went straight to the top of Artificial Analysis's leaderboard. What it is, what it costs, and how to access it.
The full shutdown timeline (announced March 24, closed April 26, API off September 24), why OpenAI pulled the plug, and which tools people moved to.
Free access ended in March 2026. Separately, and more seriously: an ongoing regulatory and safety situation involving EU/Irish investigations, government bans, and an Apple App Store removal threat, sourced and factual.
Which model actually ranks highest right now, pulled directly from Artificial Analysis's Elo-based Video Arena — not any vendor's own marketing claims.
A new AI Plus tier, a split Ultra tier ($100/mo and $200/mo), and exactly where Veo 3.1 access landed.
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