Microsoft Slips Standalone Copilot AI App Into Android Store
Microsoft has secretly released a new stand-alone AI chatbot
software for Android without making any noise or sending out a corporate news
release. This release from the Redmond, Washington-based tech giant, known as
Copilot, was first noticed by a Twitter user. It contributes to the growing
category of AI-powered smartphone applications, further broadening the range of
choices that users may access right from their fingertips.
The Copilot app, which is now accessible on the Google Play
Store, is the most recent action taken by Microsoft to capitalize on its
collaboration with top AI company OpenAI. The Copilot app combines GPT-Vision's
image-analyzing skills with the advanced language and image-generation
capabilities of GPT-4 and DALL-E 3. Put another way, the new Copilot claims to
produce text responses with the same level of intelligence as ChatGPT Plus and
photographs that are just as stunning as those produced by OpenAI's premium
service.
App users may ask sophisticated inquiries, create
images, and compose documents—all AI-enhanced functions. It seems to be an
extension of the old standalone Bing search app.
Microsoft houses all of its AI-powered services under the
Copilot name. Its coding assistance, its now-deprecated virtual assistant
Cortana, and its chatbot and online search powered by AI are now all part of
the Copilot product family.
Notably, Copilot for Android offers sophisticated AI
capabilities without charge, in contrast to ChatGPT Plus's subscription-based
business strategy. By portraying Microsoft's product as a strong rival to other
free or integrated assistants like Siri, Google Assistant, and Samsung's Bixby,
the company is making a strategic shift in the competitive environment.
A major benefit for those who want to try the newest AI
model without shelling out a lot of money for a subscription is that Copilot is
powered right out of the box by GPT-4, a more modern version renowned for its
sophisticated comprehension and reaction skills.
Although the Copilot app is only available for Android
users, rumors that an iOS version would be released soon haven't stopped,
particularly considering how much of the market Apple occupies and how
important it is from a strategic standpoint to reach as many customers as
possible. The original ChatGPT app from OpenAI had a similar situation when it
was initially released on iOS and subsequently transferred to Android.
Decrypt got in touch with Microsoft to inquire about the
app's details and to find out whether an iOS version will be available.
However, an automated email response from Microsoft states that their media
relations division is having a "wellness break," therefore they
choose not to react.