OpenAI releases ChatGPT desktop app for all Mac users

Image: OpenAI

OpenAI has finally made its official ChatGPT app available for all macOS users running macOS Sonoma or later. Previously, it was only accessible to paying subscribers.

The Mac app mirrors the web app's functionality, offering a desktop window for back-and-forth conversations with different AI models. Choose from GPT-3.5, GPT-4, and GPT-4o. And like the web app, it even supports specialized models, like the DALL-E image generator.

While the desktop app is convenient, it doesn't offer API access. If you need that functionality, you'll still need a third-party app like Jordi Bruin's MacGPT.

OpenAI's app integrates a handy system-wide keyboard shortcut (option + space by default). This lets you type prompts instantly, similar to launching a Spotlight search.

The app's release coincides with the introduction of GPT-4o. This faster and cheaper model offers accuracy comparable (though not identical) to GPT-4, with enhanced capabilities for interacting with images and videos.

OpenAI also showcased a new, conversational voice chat approach with ChatGPT, though it's not yet available. The Mac app currently supports the traditional back-and-forth voice chat format.

Unlike the mobile apps, the Mac app isn't available on the Mac App Store. You can download it directly from OpenAI's website.

There's still no Windows app, though. Reports suggest OpenAI prioritized macOS due to user base. But Windows users have options like Microsoft's ChatGPT-powered Copilot.

This app is separate from the upcoming ChatGPT integration within Apple's fall OS update. The integration will enable Siri to direct users to ChatGPT (and potentially other models) for complex queries.

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