A look inside OpenAI’s new ChatGPT iPhone app
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A look inside OpenAI’s new ChatGPT iPhone app

A look inside OpenAI’s new ChatGPT iPhone app

OpenAI has released the first official ChatGPT app for iOS users.

The iPhone app allows ChatGPT users to log into their accounts, access their chat history and converse in an ad-free environment.

A look inside OpenAI's new ChatGPT iPhone appScreenshot of the ChatGPT app, May 2023

The app helps all users with instant answers, personalized advice, inspiration, professional tasks and educational opportunities using GPT-3.5.

A look inside OpenAI's new ChatGPT iPhone appScreenshot of the ChatGPT app, May 2023

ChatGPT Plus users can switch between GPT-3.5 and GPT-4 in the app and have initial access to new feature versions.

A look inside OpenAI's new ChatGPT iPhone appScreenshot of the ChatGPT app, May 2023

GPT-3.5 offers fewer restrictions than GPT-4, which allows a maximum of 25 messages every three hours. GPT-4 promises higher quality output for personal and professional tasks, while GPT-3.5 offers faster and almost unlimited answers.

ChatGPT app vs website version

What are the main differences between the ChatGPT app and using ChatGPT in a web browser?

Text and voice input

The ChatGPT iPhone app accepts text and voice input using Whisper, OpenAI’s open-source speech recognition engine, trained on 680,000 hours of multilingual data.

A look inside OpenAI's new ChatGPT iPhone appScreenshot of the ChatGPT app, May 2023

Here’s how the ChatGPT app fared when summarizing the approach to data processing for Whisper, copied from the research paper.

A look inside OpenAI's new ChatGPT iPhone appScreenshot of the ChatGPT app, May 2023

It was also possible to summarize a 1:30 audio clip of a recent Senate hearing on AI regulation using voice input.

A look inside OpenAI's new ChatGPT iPhone appScreenshot of the ChatGPT app, May 2023

Missing GPT-4 Beta features

For ChatGPT Plus users, access to the GPT 4 code interpreter, web browsing and all new ChatGPT plugins is a noticeable missing feature.

Anyone who values ​​these specific features must remain at chat.openai.com in a web browser.

Plus users will also not find the option to enable beta features in the ChatGPT app settings. You may need to do this in your account settings in a web browser to get the new features in the app.

A look inside OpenAI's new ChatGPT iPhone appScreenshot of ChatGPT (website), April 2023

How to use the ChatGPT app

First, download the ChatGPT app from the App Store.

A look inside OpenAI's new ChatGPT iPhone appScreenshot from the Apple App Store, May 2023

If you log into your account and have ChatGPT Plus, you can choose between GPT-3.5 and GPT-4.

The three-dot menu gives you access to your account settings and chat history.

A look inside OpenAI's new ChatGPT iPhone appScreenshot of the ChatGPT app, May 2023

You can also use the three-dot menu within a chat to rename the chat for reference in your chat history, delete the chat, or start a new chat.

A look inside OpenAI's new ChatGPT iPhone appScreenshot of the ChatGPT app, May 2023

Best practices for the ChatGPT app

The ChatGPT app doesn’t have web browsing access yet, as mentioned when I asked them about today’s top AI news.

A look inside OpenAI's new ChatGPT iPhone appScreenshot of the ChatGPT app, May 2023

However, it offers great tips on how to get the most out of a ChatGPT iPhone app.

A look inside OpenAI's new ChatGPT iPhone appScreenshot of the ChatGPT app, May 2023

AI becomes more accessible

The launch of the ChatGPT app for iOS represents OpenAI’s commitment to building practical tools for everyday users.

By offering a wide range of features, from precise information retrieval and personal advice to professional input and individual learning, the application aims to support users in various aspects of their lives.

The integration of the Whisper speech recognition system improves accessibility, while the promise of continuous upgrades based on user feedback ensures the app will evolve to meet changing needs.

The app will begin rolling out in the US and will soon be available globally. OpenAI also pointed out that an Android app will be available soon.


Featured image: Diego Thomazini/Shutterstock