ChatGPT Advanced Voice Model Begins Roll Out For Select Users

ChatGPT’s latest: the Advanced Voice Mode allows users to have natural conversations with ChatGPT using real-time voice interaction. This feature makes it feel more like speaking to a person than using a standard chatbot. Users can ask questions and interrupt when needed, making the conversation more fluid and responsive.

This new mode has been available to a small group, and is still in its testing phase. It was first demonstrated earlier in the year, and OpenAI is gradually releasing it to more users who subscribe to the Plus service.

Who Can Access Advanced Voice Mode?

A user on X shared a screenshot from OpenAI, and in the message, they announced, “As of now, access to Advanced Voice mode is being rolled out in a limited alpha to a select group of users. While being a long-time Plus user and having been selected for SearchGPT are both indicators of your active engagement with our platform, access to the Advanced Voice mode alpha on September 24, 2024, will depend on a variety of factors including but not limited to participation invitations and the specific criteria set for the alpha testing phase.”

Right now, Advanced Voice Mode is only available to a limited number of ChatGPT Plus subscribers. Users on Plus pay $20 a month for extra feature, such as faster responses and early access to new features, such as this. OpenAI selects testers based on different factors, though they haven’t shared the exact criteria publicly.

More users are expected to be invited as the testing progresses, with the feature expected to reach all Plus users by the end of autumn. It’s not available to free users yet, but feedback from testers will likely influence future availability.

How Does Advanced Voice Mode Change Conversations?

The biggest improvement with Advanced Voice Mode is the more natural flow of conversation. The voice interactions are designed to sound more like real speech, with tone and inflection that match the context of the conversation. This makes it feel less like a chatbot and more like a human interaction.

Also, the ability to switch between voice and text during a conversation is one to look at. It gives users flexibility in how they communicate, and lets them to choose the method that works best for them in different situations. It could be a quick question, or holding a longer conversation. Either way, the transition between modes is smooth and simple.

What Devices Support Advanced Voice Mode?

Advanced Voice Mode works on both iOS and Android devices, but users need to update their apps to the latest version. iPhone users will need iOS 16.4 or later, while Android users must have the updated version of the ChatGPT app. Once the app is updated, users can activate voice mode by granting microphone permissions.

The feature is made specifically for smartphones, and users might find it works best with headphones or in quieter environments, as background noise can interfere with voice recognition. In noisy places, iPhone users can enable a setting called Voice Isolation, which helps block out unwanted sounds and keeps the conversation clearer.

OpenAI has more plans in development for Advanced Voice Mode, such as adding in video and screen-sharing features in the future. These features are still in the works, but testers will likely get a first look before the general public.

The focus for now is on making sure the voice feature works smoothly. With all the feedback coming in from testers, the company will continue refining it. More improvements are expected, which could eventually lead to a wider rollout beyond the current group of testers.