OpenAI, the renowned artificial intelligence research laboratory, has made an exciting announcement by launching an iOS app for its popular language model, ChatGPT. The company has also hinted that an Android version of the app will be released in the near future. Available as a free download on the App Store, the ChatGPT app brings the power of AI chatbot interactions to iPhones and iPads, providing users with a seamless experience.
One of the key features of the app is its ability to sync chat history with the web, allowing users to seamlessly switch between devices without losing their conversation progress. Additionally, the app introduces voice input functionality, leveraging OpenAI's open-source speech recognition model, Whisper. This innovation enables users to engage in conversations with the ChatGPT app using their voice, enhancing the overall user experience.
OpenAI has initially rolled out the app in the United States and plans to expand its availability to other countries in the coming weeks. This strategic approach ensures a controlled launch and allows OpenAI to gather user feedback for further improvements and enhancements.
The release of the ChatGPT app took many by surprise, as OpenAI had not previously indicated plans for a mobile application. However, it is a logical step considering the tremendous popularity and widespread use of ChatGPT since its launch last November. While exact user numbers have not been officially confirmed by OpenAI, industry estimates suggest that the app may have amassed around 100 million users by January this year.
The new app's arrival is significant, especially considering OpenAI's evolving approach to ChatGPT's market positioning. Initially introduced as an experimental chatbot, it quickly found favor with consumers, who utilized the bot for a wide range of purposes, from academic assistance to business applications. In February, OpenAI introduced ChatGPT Plus, a premium subscription offering priority access and responses generated by the company's latest language model, GPT-4, available for $20 per month.
Until now, accessing OpenAI's language models on mobile platforms has often involved utilizing Microsoft's Bing app, which integrates the company's GPT-4-powered chatbot. However, the official ChatGPT app's launch is expected to attract a significant number of users away from Microsoft's offering. Microsoft has been using its chatbot as a means to drive engagement with Bing and Edge, and the availability of an official ChatGPT app may divert users' attention from alternative options, including spam and fake apps that falsely claim to provide access to the chatbot on mobile devices.
It is worth noting that the same concerns surrounding ChatGPT's usage on the web also apply to the mobile app. These include the bot's occasional tendency to generate fabricated information with unwavering confidence and privacy-related apprehensions. OpenAI has recently addressed some of these concerns by providing users with the ability to make conversations private.
Furthermore, the app's home screen displays a warning advising users not to share sensitive information within the app, reinforcing the importance of privacy and caution.
