Microsoft slides standalone Copilot AI app to Android Store

In an audio—or corporate press release—Microsoft has quietly released a new standalone AI chatbot app for Android. Dubbed Copilot and first spotted by a Twitter user, this release from the Redmond tech behemoth continues to expand the range of options consumers can access from the palm of their hands by adding to the field of AI-powered mobile apps.

The Copilot app, now available on the Google Play Store, is Microsoft's latest move to expand its partnership with leading AI developer OpenAI. The CoPilot application combines the advanced language and image generation capabilities of GPT-4 and DALL-E 3 with the image analysis features of GPT-Vision. In other words, the new CoPilot promises to provide similar complexity in text responses as ChatGPT Plus and the same impressive visuals compared to those created by OpenAI's paid service.

The app, which looks like an evolution of the previous standalone Bing search app, allows users to engage in a variety of AI-enhanced tasks, from asking complex questions to creating visual images and documents.

Copilot is the brand name Microsoft uses to house all of its AI-powered services. Its Code assistant, its discontinued virtual assistant Cortana, and its AI-powered web search and chatbot all now fall under the Copilot umbrella as one product.

Copilot's launch for Android is particularly notable for offering advanced AI features at no cost, unlike the subscription-based model of ChatGPT Plus. This approach marks a strategic pivot in the competitive landscape, positioning Microsoft's offering as a strong alternative to other free or integrated assistants such as Siri, Google Assistant and Samsung's Bixby.

The fact that Copilot is out of the gate with GPT-4—the latest iteration known for its deep understanding and reactive capabilities—is a big plus for those who want to try out the latest AI model without spending a lot of money on a subscription.

Although the CoPilot app is only available for Android users, the lack of an iOS version could be expected, especially given the high market share of Apple's operating system and the strategic importance of reaching as wide a user base as possible. The same thing happened with OpenAI's original ChatGPT app, which was ported to Android after first being made available on iOS.

Decrypt contacted Microsoft to find out more about the app and confirm an iOS release. However, Microsoft did not respond, saying their media relations office is taking a “health leave,” according to an automated email response.

As traditional virtual assistants face new competitors, the industry is racing to rapidly diversify offerings and come up with more advanced user-centric solutions. There are many other apps on the market, from chatbots like Poe and Replika to general assistants like ChatGPT and Copilot.

Also, many existing and popular apps like Facetune, Deepl, Grammarly and Duolingo have added it thanks to AI integration. These services harness the power of generative AI to provide a better user experience, allowing people to get better recommendations, make better image edits, receive better translations, and benefit from overall better results in all modes.

Edited by Ryan Ozawa.