The AI revolution continues, and South Africa is taking notice! OpenAI's Sora, the AI video app that lets you create videos from text prompts, has made a massive splash on Android. In just its first day on the Google Play Store, Sora racked up an estimated 470,000 downloads across available markets. That's a whopper of a launch, especially compared to its iOS debut.
Android Domination: 4x Bigger Than iOS Launch
Appfigures reports that the Android launch was more than four times the size of the iOS launch, boasting a staggering 327% more installs (around 360,000). However, it's important to note that the iOS version was initially limited to the US and Canada and required an invite.
Sora on Android, on the other hand, is available in the US, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. Plus, OpenAI ditched the invite requirement in late October for its biggest markets, making it much more accessible.
What's the Hype About Sora?
Sora lets you create videos using AI based on your text prompts. Imagine describing a scene – a bustling marketplace in Johannesburg, a serene sunset over the Drakensberg mountains – and Sora brings it to life! A key feature is 'Cameos,' which allows you to animate yourself and your friends in these AI-generated videos. You can then scroll through a TikTok-style feed to see what others are creating. It's a whole new world of creative expression!
The app's initial iOS launch was also a huge success, hitting over a million installs in its first week and quickly climbing to the top of the App Store charts. Even now, it's still a top-ranked app in the US. But the Android launch shows that the appetite for AI-powered video creation is only growing.
What's Next for Sora?
OpenAI is planning even more features for Sora, including new creation tools and improved social features. They're also working with unions and public figures to address concerns about inappropriate or illegal videos, including deepfakes. This is a crucial step to ensure responsible use of this powerful technology.
Ready to jump in? You can download Sora on the Google Play Store now and start creating your own AI-powered videos. The future of video creation is here, and it's available on Android!