ChatGPT: A Potential Challenger to Google Assistant on Android
Google Assistant currently holds the crown as the go-to choice for Android phones. Its dominance isn't merely due to being the default on many Android devices but also because it surpasses most other available assistants.
In a bid to elevate its capabilities, Google is integrating generative AI technology from Bard, a versatile language model handling text, voice, and images. Notably, Google isn't the sole player in the arena of AI-based Android assistants.
According to a recent report by Android Authority, ChatGPT, renowned for its advanced language skills, is emerging as a potential new assistant option for Android users.
It's worth noting that third-party assistants are not a novel concept in the Android realm. Previously, contenders like Microsoft's Cortana and Amazon's Alexa provided alternatives for users seeking diverse assistant experiences on Android. Yet, none managed to dethrone Google Assistant from its pinnacle.
However, ChatGPT might disrupt the status quo. Android Authority unearthed a recent activity in the latest Android app version, suggesting an overlay with voice input support akin to Google Assistant. Presently, this feature isn't fully functional.
Further exploration into the app's code reveals indications of efforts to make ChatGPT the default assistant, featuring references to an "assistant_interaction_service" and a "supportsAssist" tag. Nevertheless, substantial work lies ahead.
Intriguingly, Microsoft relinquished Bing's default assistant capabilities upon introducing its GPT-based LLM experience. The potential timeline for this shift and whether it will be a free feature remain uncertain. OpenAI, the brains behind ChatGPT, offers additional features through a Plus subscription, and code hints imply that a Quick Settings tile for ChatGPT might be exclusive to this paid tier.
While there are signs pointing to ChatGPT's potential as an Android assistant, it's premature to predict the outcome with certainty.