OpenAI has officially launched its Sora AI video generator application for Android users in the U.S., Canada, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. This expansion follows the application's initial release on iOS in September, which saw it quickly ascend to the top of the App Store charts, accumulating over 1 million downloads within its first week.
The Android version of Sora maintains feature parity with its iOS counterpart, including the "Cameos" functionality. This feature enables users to generate videos incorporating their own likeness performing various activities. Content created within the app can be shared in a feed structure designed for user engagement and discovery, similar to existing short-form video platforms.
This strategic move is anticipated to broaden Sora's user base significantly, positioning OpenAI to intensify competition within the short-form video sharing sector. The company's offering directly challenges established platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, as well as Meta's recently introduced AI video feed, Vibes.
Since its initial launch, Sora has faced scrutiny regarding content moderation. Following the upload of unauthorized depictions of historical figures, OpenAI paused the generation of content featuring Martin Luther King Jr. last month and reinforced its content guardrails. The company also modified its policy concerning copyrighted characters, transitioning from an "opt-out" to an "opt-in" system for intellectual property rights holders after instances involving characters like SpongeBob and Pikachu.
Additionally, OpenAI is currently involved in a legal dispute with the celebrity video platform Cameo over the naming of Sora's "Cameo" feature, as reported by Reuters.
Looking ahead, OpenAI has outlined plans to introduce further functionalities to Sora. These include expanded "character cameos" allowing for the creation of AI-generated videos featuring pets and inanimate objects. Basic video editing tools, such as the ability to stitch multiple clips, are also slated for future integration. The company also intends to enhance user control over social feeds, enabling customization to prioritize content from selected individuals.
