I thought ChatGPT’s voice mode was a gimmick – these 7 use cases changed my mind

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ZDNET’s key takeaways

• Speaking to ChatGPT feels extra collaborative than typing.
• It shines for brainstorming, prep, and translation.
• Utilization limits can interrupt productiveness mid-session.

Over the previous 12 months or so, I’ve had the chance to speak with OpenAI. More often than not, these conversations have been about programming or coding-related capabilities, however just lately, I had a dialogue about Voice Mode.

OpenAI needed to get throughout quite a lot of examples you are able to do with it. The last time I took a look at Voice Mode, I used to be assessing its technical information. The AI fabricated solutions so as to present speedy responses which, at the moment, nerfed its usefulness to me.

Additionally: Is ChatGPT Plus still worth your $20? I compared it to the Free, Go, and Pro plans – here’s my advice

After that fail, I form of ignored the potential. However the options that OpenAI made about easy methods to get essentially the most out of Voice Mode play to its strengths and made me wish to test it out once more. So, I made a decision to have a dialog in Voice Mode about Voice Mode.

That dialog proved to be very productive, and now I’ll spotlight seven issues you are able to do with Voice Mode that’ll enhance your productiveness. Learn on to the tip as a result of there is a bonus, an eighth concept that itself is definitely worth the worth of entry.

(Disclosure: Ziff Davis, ZDNET’s father or mother firm, filed an April 2025 lawsuit towards OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in coaching and working its AI methods.)

Utilizing Voice Mode

Voice Mode runs on cellular units, in addition to in your browser. On cellular, there are two ChatGPT widgets accessible for the lock display screen. One widget opens the app, and one launches ChatGPT Voice. Should you select the Voice widget, you may have speedy one-tap entry to Voice Mode proper out of your lock display screen.

I discovered the in-the-browser desktop functionality actually attention-grabbing as a result of it really works when the tab is backgrounded. Simply faucet the small icon on the fitting of the chat bar.

Additionally: This simple ChatGPT trick helps you spot scams before you click or respond

So, for instance, I used to be capable of have an e-mail message open whereas I used to be within the Gmail tab of Chrome whereas speaking with ChatGPT Voice Mode. I discovered that fairly useful, particularly as I used to be going via the e-mail thread I had with OpenAI on this matter.

All the pieces that you simply focus on by voice turns into a ChatGPT transcript. That permits you to return and reduce and paste from the chat transcript into different paperwork or your e-mail.

I did be aware that after I used Voice Mode for a productiveness dialogue, the resultant transcript was extra chatty. You will need to perform a little bit extra digging in your transcript to seek out the jewels that you simply wish to paste into different issues, nevertheless it does work.

You can too use Voice Mode for pure dictation by telling it “begin dictation” and “cease dictation.” That permits Voice Mode to seize your precise phrases after which save them to the chat.

You’ll be able to select from a wide range of voices.

I selected Vale, which has a British accent and a Mary Poppins really feel to it. If you would like one other British accent, there’s additionally Arbor, which has slightly bit extra of an Suave Dodger really feel to it. There are additionally extra cheerful or extra business-like American-accent voices which you could select.

Voice Mode makes use of that ought to get you began

The next concepts have been supplied by OpenAI, however I added a further concept as a bonus. Remember that there are much more methods you should use Voice Mode as a productiveness pal, however this record ought to get you pondering.

1. On the spot translation whereas touring

One of many conceits old skool science fiction like Star Trek, Physician Who, and Farscape used was that everybody spoke English, even aliens from distant planets. The best way protagonists communicated with aliens was some type of universal translator, a tool that transformed spoken phrase from one language to a different.

Now, nevertheless, your cellphone generally is a common translator. Simply open up the ChatGPT app and let it translate for you. You’ll be able to inform it to translate into the language of selection. Then, once you say one thing in English, it is going to say one thing which means the identical factor within the goal language. What makes this such a sensible instrument is that it might translate what the opposite particular person is saying in that language again to English.

Additionally: OpenAI just unveiled its Google Translate competitor, and ChatGPT already wins in a big way

OpenAI would not immediately record the variety of languages, nor does it specify the languages it might translate. Nonetheless, as this Instagram clip shows, it is actually potential to make use of ChatGPT to assist talk whereas touring.

As you may think, I discovered some counterproductive methods to make this characteristic entertain me. Translating into conversational Klingon appeared like desk stakes, and it achieved it. The AI failed translating into Shyriiwook, the language of Wookiees. Apparently, it’s miles too guttural for the AI to handle. Nonetheless, I used to be capable of translate spoken English into Huttese, the language spoken by Hutts like Jabba and broadly understood within the Star Wars underworld.

2. Speak it out to arrange your ideas

I usually discover that utilizing one other particular person as a sounding board may help me arrange my ideas. Because it seems, you too can use ChatGPT’s Voice Mode to do the identical factor.

When in Voice Mode, you can provide it prompts like “I’ll ramble for 60 seconds about what’s stressing me out. Then summarize what you heard and provides me 3 subsequent steps,” or “I’ve a busy day, assist me construct a to-do record from every thing I am about to let you know.”

Additionally: I stopped using ChatGPT for everything: These AI models beat it at research, coding, and more

I used Voice Mode to speak via a number of the concepts on this article. Though I used to be ultimately reduce off in my dialog (extra on that beneath), I requested it to undergo what we might talked about and extract questions I might requested it as a fast bullet record. It did, and I used these inquiries to construct up my fast lightning spherical Q&A beneath.

For this functionality, simply inform the AI to pay attention, then discuss to it. Once you’re performed, and even a part of the best way via, ask it to arrange, make clear, or inspire you for extra ideas.

3. An on-the-go thought associate

The earlier method talks about utilizing ChatGPT’s Voice Mode to construction info, mainly to show concepts into an inventory, a plan, or concise notes.

However you’ll be able to take ChatGPT in the other way that can assist you brainstorm concepts, what the buzzword followers name “ideation.” On this instance, you are not simply organizing your ideas, you are exploring to seek out one thing new. You are utilizing ChatGPT to set off pondering, evaluation, and new concepts.

Additionally: How to learn ChatGPT in an hour – for free

Use prompts like “Are you able to discuss me via this,” or “Are you able to information me into discovering new approaches?” to completely set off this method.

4. Prep for an interview or massive assembly with stay follow

This was enjoyable. I requested ChatGPT to ask me 5 interview questions, as if I have been auditioning for a product supervisor gig. Again after I was a mere younger pup, I used to be a product supervisor after which product advertising and marketing director for some pc and software program corporations.

ChatGPT requested me a collection of questions. What I preferred about this was that it was interactive. It is a lot completely different to reply a stay follow query verbally than it’s to return to your pc, take into consideration a solution, and write it up as paragraphs.

Additionally: ChatGPT ads start today: Here’s what to expect – and which AIs don’t have them

I additionally valued the truth that ChatGPT may consider the responses and provides me suggestions. You can too inform it to level out once you’re rambling, verify the way you’re doing by way of staying on matter, and assist you to follow answering questions concisely.

5. Fingers-free assistant for on a regular basis duties

This works nicely when you open and unlock your cellphone. Should you’re commuting, cooking, or doing one thing along with your palms like packing for journey or cleansing up a workbench, you’ll be able to discuss to ChatGPT, and it might each file and reply.

The instance that involves thoughts for my life-style is making a purchasing record. My spouse and I eat just about the identical meals each week, with a number of minor exceptions. So we may simply feed the complete record of all our meals into ChatGPT. Then, with the cellphone in my pocket and my AirPods in my ears, I can have it stroll me via the fridge, the large freezer, and our cupboards, figuring out whether or not we nonetheless have sufficient of a given merchandise or want extra.

For instance, I may say, “I am on the freezer, what ought to I examine?” It would say, “Let me know what number of luggage of frozen broccoli you continue to have.” I would reply, “We’ve 3.” And it may say, “I will add seven luggage to the record.”

Additionally: I’m a ChatGPT power user: Here are 7 useful settings that are turned off by default

As soon as the method is completed, I may have it assemble an inventory of what we’d like, which might change into our very correct purchasing record.

What hands-free duties may ChatGPT assist you to with? Let me know beneath.

6. Actual-time copy editor for messages you are about to ship

I have a tendency to love to compose and ship my very own e-mail messages and texts. However the hands-free dictation characteristic of ChatGPT Voice Mode has its attraction.

For instance, you’ll be able to dictate a message in additional of a brainstorming mode, after which ask ChatGPT to wash it up so you’ll be able to reduce and paste it into an e-mail. Or you might give it a immediate like, “I’ll dictate a textual content to my pal. Rewrite it to sound heat and clear. I do not wish to sound dramatic.”

Additionally: People are using ChatGPT to write their text messages – here’s how you can tell

That final immediate was supplied by OpenAI. Might there be some juicy backstory about drama? Nah, I do not wish to know. Simply use this characteristic to wash up rambling for some fast cuts and pastes.

7. Ask questions on photos in actual time

This can be a characteristic solely accessible to paid tiers of ChatGPT. It additionally differs in taste relying on whether or not you are utilizing it in your desktop in your browser, or utilizing the cellular app.

When in desktop mode, it is potential to feed in a screenshot or a photograph, and have the AI let you know about it. I usually feed screenshots into ChatGPT. This was my first time attempting it in Voice Mode.

I discovered it significantly useful with kinds as a result of I may screenshot the shape, feed that into ChatGPT, and let Voice Mode run in a background tab. Then, with the shape within the foreground tab, I may discuss to the AI and have it assist me with what needs to be put into every discipline.

Additionally: ChatGPT’s new Lockdown Mode can stop prompt injection – here’s how it works

In cellular mode, you should use current images which might be already in your cellphone or take images of places, indicators, plates of meals, contents of your fridge, or anything you may wish to know extra about, and have Voice Mode assist you to out with the contents. One nice instance takes us again to translation: you’ll be able to snap an image of an indication that is in one other language and get a translation again from ChatGPT.

Bonus: Train buddy

OpenAI did not recommend this, however I simply tried it out, and it is fairly cool. You should use ChatGPT Voice Mode as an train buddy that can assist you preserve observe of reps, remind you what to do subsequent, and to encourage you to proceed.

I attempted it with weights. I prompted it, “Okay, I am at ten reps. What’s subsequent?” to which I bought a response again, “It’s good to do 5 extra of this train, after which change to facet lateral raises. You are doing nice. Stick with it.”

I do not usually like my AIs sucking as much as me or encouraging me, however in the case of exercising, I will take all the assistance I can get.

Voice Mode feels completely different

Utilizing Voice Mode as a productiveness helper is a little bit of an odd expertise. It’s precisely the identical ChatGPT expertise you may have when typing in textual content. However since you’re speaking, it actually does form of really feel like a dialog.

I discovered that there was extra depth (and extra meandering) to the enter I supplied to the AI when utilizing Voice Mode than there was after I was typing, so my prompts have been considerably extra loquacious.

Additionally: How I bring my child’s art to life with ChatGPT, Gemini, and Sora – and you can too

The tone of voice that the AI makes use of tends to result in a sense of colleague-like communication in comparison with simply studying a chat response on the display screen. The sensation of the dialog is far more linked. I am unsure whether or not that is good or unhealthy, however it’s an attention-grabbing expertise.

As I mentioned in my earlier article, I really feel like I’m nonetheless sacrificing precision for dialog fluidity. However should you use Voice Mode for work that advantages from conversational fluidity, it really works surprisingly nicely.

Till it would not.

Unclear limits

I’m utilizing the $20-per-month ChatGPT Plus plan. About half-hour into my dialog exploring Voice Mode, I bought this message.

There are two points right here: how a lot time is allowed, and what is the distinction between Superior and Commonplace Voice Mode?

CNET has an explainer that describes each modes. In response to the article, “In commonplace mode, the AI creates its response in textual content first after which a separate voice instrument reads the textual content aloud. Whereas the voice could sound respectable, it might really feel unnatural and infrequently delayed. A unified mannequin like superior voice would not separate writing and talking.” 

The extra superior mode adjusts its tone so it sounds extra pure. You’ll be able to let you know’re utilizing Superior Mode as a result of the voice indicator is a blue circle. Commonplace mode reveals a black circle.

Sadly, in the case of limits you may encounter, OpenAI’s Voice Mode FAQ is not significantly useful. I do not suppose it is updated. It talks about limits to GPT-4o, however GPT-4o was retired earlier this month.

In any case, here is what OpenAI says about limits:

• Free (logged-in) customers: Voice runs on GPT-4o mini and is proscribed to a set variety of hours per day.
• Plus subscribers: Voice begins with GPT-4o and is sort of limitless every day; after GPT-4o minutes are used, it continues with GPT-4o mini.
• Professional subscribers: Limitless GPT-4o voice use, topic to abuse guardrails.
• Enterprise: Limitless GPT-4o voice use, billed in accordance with credit score consumption.

With my Plus plan, I hit a wall about half-hour in. Since I am testing for high quality, I made a decision to skip downgrading to the Commonplace mode.

Additionally: Want better ChatGPT responses? Try this surprising trick, researchers say

I encourage OpenAI to replace its FAQ paperwork with the fitting mannequin names and extra tangibly comprehensible restrict info.

What about you?

Have you ever tried ChatGPT’s Voice Mode as a productiveness instrument, or do you principally stick with typing? Do you see your self utilizing it extra for organizing your ideas, brainstorming concepts, stay interview prep, translation, or hands-free duties?

Additionally: Is an AI subscription worth it? How to choose your premium chatbot plan – and what not to do

Have you ever run into utilization limits? Did utilization limits change how you utilize it? Does Voice Mode really feel extra conversational and useful to you, or much less exact? What different productiveness duties do you suggest utilizing voice mode for? Tell us within the feedback beneath.

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