The era of mobile chatbots is upon us, and following Bing AI’s foray into the domain, OpenAI has now launched its first mobile version of the immensely popular ChatGPT on iOS. Available for download on iPhones, this free and official iteration of the ChatGPT chatbot is built on the powerful GPT-3 model. Users can access the ChatGPT+ and GPT-4 powered services by logging into their accounts or upgrading within the app, potentially offering enhanced accuracy through more recent training.
While the launch of ChatGPT on iOS marks a significant expansion, it is currently limited to the United States, with no Android version available. However, OpenAI has assured Android users that they are next in line for the mobile experience, with ChatGPT expected to arrive on their devices soon, as mentioned in the company’s blog post.
The iOS version of ChatGPT operates similarly to its desktop and web-based counterparts, featuring a streamlined interface. Upon installation, users are greeted with a white screen displaying a black or blue dot at the center. A prompt window allows users to enter their queries, and the responses are generated swiftly and with substantial detail. Notably, this mobile version introduces the capability to input voice queries, denoted by a voice recording icon. However, early users have encountered some issues with speech recognition, which OpenAI is likely to address in subsequent updates.
Although ChatGPT on iOS provides a convenient mobile chatbot experience, it falls short of Siri’s functionalities. For instance, it lacks the ability to perform tasks like setting timers on the device. Similarly, Siri and ChatGPT are both unable to directly control the iPhone’s brightness settings. As voice assistants continue to evolve, it is clear that both Siri and ChatGPT have room for improvement before becoming the ultimate mobile voice AI.
For those interested in exploring the genuine ChatGPT app, it is now available for download from the App Store under the name “OpenAI ChatGPT.” Users are advised to beware of numerous free imitations and opt for the official version to ensure an authentic experience. As OpenAI continues to expand its AI offerings, the introduction of ChatGPT on iOS opens up new possibilities for on-the-go interactions with the chatbot, further blurring the lines between human and artificial intelligence.
