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 wished to get throughout a lot of examples you are able to do with it. The final time I took a have a look at Voice Mode, I used to be assessing its technical information. The AI fabricated solutions to be able to present fast responses which, at the moment, nerfed its usefulness to me.

Additionally: Is ChatGPT Plus nonetheless price your $20? I in contrast it to the Free, Go, and Professional plans – here is my recommendation

After that fail, I sort of ignored the potential. However the solutions that OpenAI made about find out how to get probably the most out of Voice Mode play to its strengths and made me need 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 will 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 well worth the worth of entry.

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

Utilizing Voice Mode

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

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

Additionally: This easy ChatGPT trick helps you notice scams earlier than you click on or reply

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 by way of the e-mail thread I had with OpenAI on this subject.

All the pieces that you just talk about by voice turns into a ChatGPT transcript. That permits you to return and lower and paste from the chat transcript into different paperwork or your e mail.

I did observe that once I used Voice Mode for a productiveness dialogue, the resultant transcript was extra chatty. You will should perform a little bit extra digging in your transcript to seek out the jewels that you just need to paste into different issues, but it surely does work.

It’s also possible to use Voice Mode for pure dictation by telling it “begin dictation” and “cease dictation.” That enables 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 need one other British accent, there’s additionally Arbor, which has a bit of bit extra of an Suave Dodger really feel to it. There are additionally extra cheerful or extra business-like American-accent voices that you may select.

Voice Mode makes use of that ought to get you began

The next concepts had been offered by OpenAI, however I added a further concept as a bonus. Understand that there are much more methods you need to use Voice Mode as a productiveness pal, however this checklist ought to get you considering.

1. On the spot translation whereas touring

One of many conceits old fashioned 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 common translator, a tool that transformed spoken phrase from one language to a different.

Now, nonetheless, your telephone 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 alternative. Then, once you say one thing in English, it’ll say one thing which means the identical factor within the goal language. What makes this such a sensible device is that it could possibly translate what the opposite individual is saying in that language again to English.

Additionally: OpenAI simply unveiled its Google Translate competitor, and ChatGPT already wins in a giant approach

OpenAI would not instantly checklist the variety of languages, nor does it specify the languages it could possibly translate. Nonetheless, as this Instagram clip reveals, it is actually doable to make use of ChatGPT to assist talk whereas touring.

As you may think, I discovered some counterproductive methods to make this function 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 is 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 extensively understood within the Star Wars underworld.

2. Speak it out to prepare your ideas

I typically discover that utilizing one other individual as a sounding board will help me arrange my ideas. Because it seems, you may as well use ChatGPT’s Voice Mode to do the identical factor.

When in Voice Mode, you can provide it prompts like “I will 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 checklist from every thing I am about to inform you.”

Additionally: I ended utilizing ChatGPT for every thing: These AI fashions beat it at analysis, coding, and extra

I used Voice Mode to speak by way of among the concepts on this article. Though I used to be ultimately lower off in my dialog (extra on that under), I requested it to undergo what we would talked about and extract questions I would requested it as a fast bullet checklist. It did, and I used these inquiries to construct up my fast lightning spherical Q&A under.

For this functionality, simply inform the AI to pay attention, then discuss to it. Whenever you’re accomplished, and even a part of the best way by way of, ask it to prepare, make clear, or inspire you for added ideas.

3. An on-the-go thought accomplice

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 possibly can 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 considering, evaluation, and new concepts.

Additionally: Find out how to study ChatGPT in an hour – without spending a dime

Use prompts like “Are you able to discuss me by way of this,” or “Are you able to information me into discovering new approaches?” to totally set off this system.

4. Prep for an interview or huge assembly with stay observe

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

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

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I additionally valued the truth that ChatGPT may consider the responses and provides me suggestions. It’s also possible to inform it to level out once you’re rambling, affirm the way you’re doing when it comes to staying on subject, and enable you observe answering questions concisely.

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

This works nicely when you open and unlock your telephone. In the event you’re commuting, cooking, or doing one thing along with your palms like packing for journey or cleansing up a workbench, you possibly can discuss to ChatGPT, and it could possibly each report and reply.

The instance that involves thoughts for my way of life is making a buying checklist. My spouse and I eat just about the identical meals each week, with a couple of minor exceptions. So we may simply feed the total checklist of all our meals into ChatGPT. Then, with the telephone in my pocket and my AirPods in my ears, I can have it stroll me by way of 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 baggage of frozen broccoli you continue to have.” I’d reply, “Now we have 3.” And it may say, “I am going to add seven baggage to the checklist.”

Additionally: I am a ChatGPT energy consumer: Listed below are 7 helpful settings which are turned off by default

As soon as the method is finished, I may have it assemble an inventory of what we want, which might turn into our very correct buying checklist.

What hands-free duties would possibly ChatGPT enable you with? Let me know under.

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 function of ChatGPT Voice Mode has its enchantment.

For instance, you possibly can dictate a message in additional of a brainstorming mode, after which ask ChatGPT to wash it up so you possibly can lower and paste it into an e mail. Or you possibly can give it a immediate like, “I will dictate a textual content to my buddy. Rewrite it to sound heat and clear. I do not need to sound dramatic.”

Additionally: Individuals are utilizing ChatGPT to write down their textual content messages – here is how one can inform

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

7. Ask questions on pictures in actual time

It is a function solely out there 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 doable to feed in a screenshot or a photograph, and have the AI inform you about it. I typically feed screenshots into ChatGPT. This was my first time attempting it in Voice Mode.

I discovered it notably useful with types 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 area.

Additionally: ChatGPT’s new Lockdown Mode can cease immediate injection – here is the way it works

In cellular mode, you need to use current images which are already in your telephone or take images of areas, indicators, plates of meals, contents of your fridge, or the rest you would possibly need to know extra about, and have Voice Mode enable you out with the contents. One nice instance takes us again to translation: you possibly can 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 utilize ChatGPT Voice Mode as an train buddy that can assist you hold monitor 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 acquired a response again, “It’s worthwhile 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 on the subject of exercising, I am going to 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 will have when typing in textual content. However since you’re speaking, it actually does sort of really feel like a dialog.

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

Additionally: How I deliver my kid’s artwork to life with ChatGPT, Gemini, and Sora – and you’ll 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 rather more related. I am unsure whether or not that is good or unhealthy, however it’s an fascinating expertise.

As I stated in my earlier article, I really feel like I’m nonetheless sacrificing precision for dialog fluidity. However in case 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 acquired 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. Based on the article, “In commonplace mode, the AI creates its response in textual content first after which a separate voice device reads the textual content aloud. Whereas the voice could sound respectable, it could possibly 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 inform you’re utilizing Superior Mode as a result of the voice indicator is a blue circle. Commonplace mode reveals a black circle.

Sadly, on the subject of limits you would possibly encounter, OpenAI’s Voice Mode FAQ is not notably 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 almost limitless each 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 line 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: Need higher ChatGPT responses? Do that shocking trick, researchers say

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

What about you?

Have you ever tried ChatGPT’s Voice Mode as a productiveness device, 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 price it? How to decide on your premium chatbot plan – and what to not do

Have you ever run into utilization limits? Did utilization limits change how you employ 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 under.

You’ll be able to observe my day-to-day undertaking updates on social media. Be sure you subscribe to my weekly replace publication, and observe me on Twitter/X at @DavidGewirtz, on Fb at Fb.com/DavidGewirtz, on Instagram at Instagram.com/DavidGewirtz, on Bluesky at @DavidGewirtz.com, and on YouTube at YouTube.com/DavidGewirtzTV.