Microsoft has unveiled its latest effort in artificial intelligence with the launch of the Copilot app for Android and iOS users. Positioned as an everyday ai companion, this standalone service differentiates itself from Microsoft's traditional Bing app and focuses solely on the capabilities of the company's advanced ai technology.
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Copilot features on iOS
The Copilot app for iOS, available for free on the App Store, mirrors its Android counterpart in functionality. Users can ask questions, compose text and generate images using ai. What sets Copilot apart is its use of GPT-4, OpenAI's latest large language model, with no subscription required, unlike ChatGPT's GPT-3.5. The app serves as an image generator and leverages OpenAI's DALL-E 3 to create ai artwork directly on mobile devices.
How Microsoft Copilot works
The Copilot app, reminiscent of the ChatGPT app for Android, offers a variety of functionality. Users can engage in chatbot interactions, leverage the power of DALL-E 3 to create images, and seek help drafting emails and documents. In particular, it provides free access to OpenAI's next-generation GPT-4 model, a feature that typically requires a subscription to ChatGPT. Additionally, users have the option to incorporate voice, image, and text input for a versatile ai experience.
Microsoft's strategic change
The recent name change from Bing Chat to Copilot signifies a strategic shift by Microsoft. While Microsoft's ai was initially integrated into the Bing search engine, it now promotes Copilot as a standalone platform. Accessible through its website, copilot.microsoft.com, the move aims to establish Copilot as a distinct entity. The launch of the mobile app further reinforces this transition, aligning with the name change from Bing Chat Enterprise to Copilot.
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Versatility between platforms
In addition to mobile apps, Microsoft expands Copilot's reach with a Bing-independent web experience. This emphasizes its commitment to an independent Copilot ecosystem. Additionally, this broader availability is part of Microsoft's push to integrate Copilot into various facets of its product portfolio. The company's recent efforts include adding Copilot to Dev Tools in Edge, expanding its use within the Microsoft 365 roadmap, and making Copilot Chat available on GitHub.
Our opinion
Microsoft's Copilot emerges as a major leader in the space of ai-powered support, offering users a seamless experience across Android, iOS, and the web. The decision to provide free access to GPT-4 shows Microsoft's commitment to democratizing advanced ai capabilities. As the company continues to improve Copilot's features and integration, it solidifies its position as a key player in the changing landscape of ai-powered applications.
