Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company, xAI, is gearing up to launch its Grok AI chatbot as a standalone app for Android users.
Although currently listed on Google Play, the app remains unavailable for download, offering users the option to pre-register for automatic installation upon release.
Push for Broader Mobile Accessibility
This move comes after the recent launch of Grok’s standalone iOS app, signaling xAI’s efforts to enhance accessibility across mobile platforms.
An xAI engineer recently confirmed the Android version’s development on X (formerly Twitter), solidifying expectations for a broader rollout.
During an early testing phase, Grok’s Android app was briefly downloadable in regions like Australia, Canada, India, the Philippines, and Saudi Arabia.
Access was initially limited to 1,000 test participants, but the beta version has since been closed, with the Play Store now displaying a “coming soon” message alongside the pre-registration option.
Features of the Android Version
The Android app is expected to mirror its iOS counterpart, featuring:
- Text-based responses
- Image generation
- Real-time information sourcing from X
- Support for Grok 2, xAI’s latest large language model
According to the Google Play listing, the app will be free with no mandatory sign-in for general use. Users seeking personalized experiences or integration with X accounts will have the option to sign in.
The iOS version allows sign-ins via Apple accounts, though it remains unclear whether Google account logins will be supported for Android.
While the app highlights text and image response capabilities, potential web search integration remains unspecified.
Free Access Across Platforms
Initially exclusive to X Premium subscribers, Grok AI is now freely available to all users. This move positions Grok as a strong contender against popular AI models, including OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Anthropic’s Claude, Google Gemini, and Microsoft Copilot.
The free-access approach aims to foster adoption and boost engagement.
Advanced Features Rivaling ChatGPT
Grok goes beyond basic text responses by offering:
- High-quality AI image generation
- File and image upload capabilities for AI analysis
- Real-time information sourcing from X and the web
Despite these capabilities, Grok currently lacks voice or video features akin to ChatGPT’s Advanced Voice Mode.
A Growing Digital Ecosystem
xAI is also developing a dedicated website, Grok.com, which is operational in select regions. In the U.S., it currently displays a “coming soon” message, indicating the company’s intent to expand Grok beyond mobile platforms.
Funding Milestones
xAI has secured significant investments to support Grok’s development, raising $6 billion in June 2024 and an additional $6 billion from strategic backers, including Nvidia and AMD. This substantial funding underscores the company’s ambition to become a leading AI player.
Awaiting the Android Launch
Though the Grok AI Android app is available for pre-registration on Google Play, xAI has not announced an official launch date. With the iOS version gaining traction, anticipation continues to build among Android users.
