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Grok, the AI assistant integrated into the social media platform X, has launched as a standalone application. This app offers functionalities similar to those found in its X tab, including image generation, text summarization, and question answering, all delivered in a conversational style that xAI, the developer, describes as “humorous and engaging.”
The initial testing phase for the app began in December 2024, coinciding with the rollout of a complimentary tier of Grok accessible to all users. Prior to this, access to Grok required a subscription fee of at least $8 per month for X Premium users. Now, the free tier allows limited usage, which can include up to 10 requests every two hours and three image analysis requests daily; these limitations may also extend to the standalone app.
The Grok app offers flexibility in access, allowing users to engage without signing in or to log in via an Apple account, Google account, X account, or through a traditional email. However, it remains unclear if having an X Premium subscription affords users any enhanced features within the Grok app compared to the benefits seen on the X platform.
Similar to other AI chatbots like Gemini and ChatGPT, Grok has faced challenges related to accuracy and peculiar image outputs. Nonetheless, it distinguishes itself by promoting its capability to tackle “spicy questions,” topics that other AI services might shy away from. Additionally, a version of the Grok model is open-source, which could encourage a broader variety of user interactions and developments.
Overall, while users will need to explore the app to determine its actual capabilities and quirks, the independence from the X platform may enhance accessibility and user experience.
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www.engadget.com