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OpenAI's new Sora 2 AI video and audio engine is here.
Sora 2 is featured in the new free Sora by OpenAI app.
The app is currently invite-only and limited to select countries.
A new app is climbing up the App Store's Top Charts, and like many of the apps in the rankings, it revolves around AI. OpenAI has released an iOS app version of its Sora AI video generator that allows users to create personalized AI-generated videos. Since its invite-only launch on Tuesday, alongside the new Sora 2 model, the Sora app has enjoyed the number three spot in the App Store's Top Charts, behind the Google Gemini and ChatGPT apps.
What is the Sora app?
The app utilizes OpenAI's Sora 2 AI video engine, and its layout features a social media-esque style, allowing users to discover and interact with other people's video creations. Aside from the social aspect, users can create short-form, AI-generated videos featuring themselves or their friends.
Also: How to use OpenAI's Sora to create stunning AI-generated videos
Additionally, OpenAI asserts there are safeguards and limits within the app, including likeness protection for users who want to control how and when their image is used in other users' cameos. A one-time video and audio recording of yourself captures your likeness, which will be used within the app.
For now, the Sora app is invite-only and restricted to iOS, and availability is limited to the US and Canada.
How to access Sora 2
OpenAI's Sora 2 AI-generated video and audio engine is only available to use within the Sora app. According to OpenAI, Sora 2's capabilities significantly exceed those of the previous model, offering synchronized dialogue and sound, greater adherence to the natural laws of physics, a deeper understanding of complex instructions, and more realistic results.
Also: The fastest growing AI chatbot lately? It's not ChatGPT or Gemini
If you want to try your hand at accessing Sora 2 before it's widely available, you can download the Sora iOS app in the App Store. Then, you can sign up to receive a notification when your account is granted access.
It's unclear how long it takes to receive access, or if certain accounts are given precedence over others. In a blog post, the Sora Team said Sora 2 will be free to users with "generous limits," so people can openly explore its capabilities.
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OpenAI's Sora 2 video engine directly competes with Google's Veo 2, the company's well-received AI video and audio engine. However, Google's Veo 2 is not available to free-tier users and instead is open to Gemini Advanced subscribers.