Sora Arrives on Android in the US, Canada, and More
▼ Summary
– Sora, OpenAI’s AI video generator, is now available on Android in the U.S., Canada, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam after its initial iOS launch in September.
– The Android version includes all iOS features, such as the “Cameos” function for creating personalized videos using the user’s likeness.
– Sora enables video sharing in a TikTok-like feed, positioning OpenAI to compete with platforms like Meta’s Vibes, TikTok, and Instagram.
– The app has faced criticism for deepfakes, leading to policy changes like pausing content of Martin Luther King Jr. and switching to an opt-in system for copyrighted characters.
– OpenAI plans future updates for Sora, including character cameos for pets and objects, basic video editing tools, and customizable social feeds.
The Sora AI video generator from OpenAI is now officially available for Android users across the United States, Canada, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. This expansion follows a successful iOS launch last September, where the app quickly climbed to the top of the App Store charts and surpassed one million downloads in just one week. With its debut on the Google Play Store, Sora is positioned to reach a much wider audience, likely driving a significant increase in global downloads.
Android users will find the same full set of features available on iOS, including the popular “Cameos” function. This tool enables individuals to produce videos of themselves performing various actions using their own likeness. All generated videos can be shared in a TikTok-style feed, where people can explore and interact with content posted by others. This design appears to be a deliberate strategy by OpenAI to carve out a stronger presence in the competitive short-form video market, positioning Sora as a rival to platforms like Meta’s new AI video feed Vibes, as well as established giants such as TikTok and Instagram.
Despite its rapid growth, the app has encountered controversy, particularly around the creation of deepfakes. Shortly after launch, some users began uploading inappropriate videos featuring historical figures like Martin Luther King Jr., prompting Sora to temporarily block content generation depicting Dr. King and to reinforce its safety measures. The company has also responded to criticism over the use of copyrighted characters, such as SpongeBob and Pikachu, by shifting its policy from an “opt-out” to an “opt-in” model, giving rights holders greater control over how their intellectual property is used.
In another development, Sora is currently engaged in a legal conflict with the celebrity video platform Cameo over the naming of its flagship “Cameo” feature. Looking forward, OpenAI has announced several upcoming additions to the app. These include character cameos, which will allow users to produce AI-generated videos starring their pets or even inanimate objects. Basic video editing capabilities are also in the works, such as a tool for stitching multiple clips together. Additionally, Sora plans to introduce more personalized social feed options, enabling users to tailor their viewing experience around content from specific creators rather than a broad, general audience.
(Source: TechCrunch)
