OpenAI announced on Tuesday that it will postpone the release of its highly anticipated Voice Mode feature for ChatGPT, which includes emotive expressions and real-time responses. The artificial intelligence (AI) firm showcased this advanced feature during last month’s Spring Updates event alongside the unveiling of its latest GPT-4o model. Alpha testing for the Voice Mode is now slated to begin next month.
We're sharing an update on the advanced Voice Mode we demoed during our Spring Update, which we remain very excited about:
— OpenAI (@OpenAI) June 25, 2024
We had planned to start rolling this out in alpha to a small group of ChatGPT Plus users in late June, but need one more month to reach our bar to launch.…
Voice Mode Feature Overview
- The Voice Mode feature, powered by GPT-4o, enables ChatGPT to respond verbally to prompts and queries in real time, showcasing capabilities such as voice modulation, emotional expressions, and even singing. This feature was a highlight of OpenAI’s recent event, demonstrating advancements in conversational AI.
Reasons Behind the Delay
- OpenAI cited several reasons for delaying the Voice Mode’s launch, including ongoing refinement to enhance content detection capabilities and scalability of infrastructure to ensure seamless real-time voice responses for millions of users without latency issues.
Alpha Testing and User Rollout Plan
- The current plan involves launching Voice Mode initially to a select group of ChatGPT Plus users as part of an alpha testing program. OpenAI aims to gather feedback and insights during this phase to refine the feature further. A broader rollout to all ChatGPT Plus users is expected in the fall, although a specific launch date has not been disclosed.
Other Delayed Features
- In addition to Voice Mode, OpenAI acknowledged delays in deploying other showcased features from its recent event. These include ChatGPT’s capabilities to interact with real-time video feeds and support screen-sharing functionalities. The company assured users that updates on these features will be provided as development progresses.
Launch of ChatGPT App for macOS
- Separately, OpenAI launched the ChatGPT app for macOS on Tuesday, expanding accessibility for all users. The app introduces new features such as shortcut keys for quick launch, direct loading of screenshots, and support for the standard Voice Mode. This initiative aims to enhance user experience and convenience across Apple’s desktop platform.
Conclusion
- OpenAI’s decision to delay the Voice Mode feature reflects its commitment to delivering a polished and robust AI experience. As the company prepares for alpha testing in July and continues development on other advanced features, users can anticipate significant enhancements in ChatGPT’s capabilities in the near future.
