How the ChatGPT app changed the way I use my Mac | Digital Trends

After a long wait, OpenAI has released the ChatGPT app on macOS for everyone to use. I’ve been playing around with it to see how it works and how it works, and I’m very impressed so far. It has all the power of ChatGPT in a desktop-friendly package. Even better, you don’t need to pay to use it, as there are no download costs, and it works with a free OpenAI account (free accounts have limitations on the use of them, however, as they do on the web) .

After seeing what I could get out of it, I found that there are three things I really like about the new ChatGPT Mac app. From the way it starts to its amazing capabilities, I think you will also enjoy these features of the app.

It starts with a smart shortcut

Seasoned Mac users will know that pressing Cmd + Space opens the Spotlight search bar, allowing you to launch an app, find a file, view a description, and more. OpenAI took its cue from the Spotlight when it came to the ChatGPT app, as it opens up in an equally fast and easy way.

In case of ChatGPT, you need to press Opt+Space. This brings up a small Spotlight-like bar where you can type any question for the OpenAI chatbot to process. Its familiarity as a shortcut makes it easy to learn and easy to find on your computer, ensuring that ChatGPT is only a few clicks away.

And it’s not just a simple text input – it’s actually a full version of ChatGPT broken down into a small bar. If you select the paperclip icon, you can upload a file or photo for review, take a screenshot of the open app, take a picture using your webcam, or open a full ChatGPT window. . All that comes from a fast keyboard makes it a very useful piece.

It understands files and their contents

One of the main strengths of ChatGPT is to analyze information, even in files. The Mac app is no different, and this makes it a great tool to help you with work and leisure alike.

For example, you can enter a set of different sales reports and query it to extract key trends. Or enter multiple tasks and have them organize their due dates into an easy-to-digest list. You don’t need to extract this information and upload it to ChatGPT, as the app can scan your files and find the data itself.

The fact that you can do this on your Mac device is important. You’re unlikely to have documents like the ones above on your iPhone, for one thing. I also tend to find that I’ll have several files and Finder windows open at any given time when I’m working on my Mac; when that happens, I can drag and drop my files from Finder to ChatGPT, without opening a new browser tab and uploading them there. You can keep ChatGPT on top of other windows, which helps this case even more.

Good for working with images

One of the neat features of the ChatGPT Mac app is its ability to work with screenshots. Select the paperclip icon and select Take Screenshot, and you’ll see a list of open applications and windows. Select one and ChatGPT will pop up in a full window and pop into the question box, ready for your input.

This has all kinds of tools. You can take a screenshot of the code you are working on and ask ChatGPT to prepare it for you. Or screen the email reply and see if it can rewrite it more concisely. It’s especially useful for when speed is important – there’s no need to copy and paste any text or change tools, as ChatGPT takes care of it all for you.

Images are not the only images that ChatGPT works with. You can upload photos from your Mac or Photos library, or use your webcam to take a new photo. Want to come up with food ideas for dinner? Take a photo of the ingredients you have to offer and ChatGPT will suggest a recipe.

Also, things are easier because it’s on a Mac. You can drag and drop images from the Photos app or Finder and into ChatGPT, which wouldn’t be as easy as the iOS version. It makes working with images easier.

More coming soon

The ChatGPT app for macOS can do a lot more than the things I mentioned above. If you have connected a microphone to your Mac, for example, you can speak commands and questions to the chatbot, which you may find easier than typing (you need to open a full application window for this, rather than use Opt + Space in the question bar). And, of course, you can enter the standard text questions that are the bread and butter of ChatGPT.

OpenAI says “new GPT-4o audio and video capabilities” are “coming in the future,” as is Windows support. If you want to run it on your Mac, you will need to install MacOS 14 Sonoma or later and have an Apple Silicon chip (M1 or higher).

One of the few things I don’t like about the ChatGPT Mac app is that OpenAI uses your questions to train its chatbot, but you can turn it off by selecting the ChatGPT icon in your menu and to. Settings > Data controls and prevent Improve the model for everyone choice. Also there is no offline mode, which can help. It is something that can be provided by third party applications.

However, overall, the ChatGPT Mac tool adds a lot to your productivity, whether you want to increase your productivity or do tasks on your computer faster. It is available on the OpenAI website, but not yet on the Apple App Store.