OpenAI’s ChatGPT has undergone a transformative evolution, now manifesting as a cutting-edge smartphone application. This development is a boon for enthusiasts of artificial intelligence chatbots, while simultaneously spelling trouble for clone apps that sought to capitalize on this technology.
The eagerly awaited release of the free ChatGPT app took place on May 18, initially gracing iPhones and iPads in the United States, with plans to expand its availability to Android devices in the near future. Distinguishing itself from its desktop web counterpart, the mobile iteration on Apple’s iOS platform introduces the novel capability of voice-based interaction.
OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, reassured users that the app will remain devoid of advertisements while ensuring seamless synchronization of chat history across devices.
In an official blog post unveiling this new endeavor, OpenAI declared, “We are commencing our rollout in the United States and have intentions to extend access to additional countries in the coming weeks.”
Although OpenAI unleashed ChatGPT to the public over five months ago, captivating attention and generating both excitement and concerns due to its remarkable ability to produce human-like essays, poems, form letters, and conversational responses across a wide array of topics, the company did not rush to bring it to the smartphone realm — the primary gateway for internet access for most individuals.
This delay in the mobile release inadvertently facilitated the rise of numerous clones leveraging similar technology, some of which were flagged as “fleeceware” by the security firm Sophos in a recent report. These clone apps employ deceptive tactics, coaxing unsuspecting users into unwittingly enrolling in recurring subscriptions disguised as free trials or resorting to invasive advertising techniques.
Notably, the newly introduced ChatGPT app offers users the choice to upgrade to a premium version, affording access to supplementary features.
Microsoft, as OpenAI’s primary partner, has invested substantial capital into the startup and has seamlessly integrated ChatGPT-like capabilities into its own product lineup, including a chatbot employed within its Bing search engine.
