xAI has officially launched its Grok AI assistant as a standalone iOS app in the US, marking a substantial growth integration with the platform.
Grok, previously available only to X premium subscribers, became available to all X users last month. It provides features similar to popular AI assistants such as OpenAI's ChatGPT, Anthropic's Claude, and Google Gemini.
The Grok app retains its basic functions, such as answering questions, summarizing text, generating images, and addressing "spicy questions" that other AI tools avoid.
Grok, known for its humorous and engaging conversation style, has released a new app that allows users to communicate with the AI without requiring access to X. Users can sign in using Apple, Google, or X accounts or email.
Initially tested in select countries in December 2024, the app's rollout aligns with xAI's efforts to democratize access to advanced AI tools.
The app's free tier allows 10 queries every two hours and three image analysis requests daily. However, it is unclear whether X Premium customers would receive any further benefits from the app.
Grok's standalone app design is minimalistic, focusing on simplicity and usability. Screenshots show its key functions, such as real-time information retrieval and AI image generation.
Despite these advancements, Grok faces challenges similar to other AI assistants, such as occasional accuracy and peculiar image outputs.
The release also highlights xAI's desire to create Grok as a versatile AI platform. A dedicated Grok.com website and xAI's recent $6 billion fundraising round are also in the works, which includes strategic backing from Nvidia and AMD, demonstrating its long-term vision.
xAI appeals to developers and researchers by providing an open-source version of the Grok AI model, potentially boosting adoption.
While Grok's ability to deliver on its promise of innovation and boundary-pushing replies will be tested, its standalone availability and distinguishing features make it a significant rival in the AI sector.