xAI launches Grok chatbot app for iOS in the U.S.

xAI, the artificial intelligence company founded by Elon Musk, has released a standalone iOS app in the U.S. for its AI-powered chatbot, Grok. First reported by TechCrunch, the app, currently in beta, offers the same capabilities as Grok’s integration with the social media platform X. Users can access real-time information, ask questions, and generate images through the chatbot.

The standalone app represents an expansion of Grok’s reach, as xAI continues to position itself as a competitor in the crowded AI chatbot space. Previously, Grok was available exclusively to X Premium subscribers, but the platform recently made the chatbot accessible to all users. This move aligns it with other free-to-use AI chatbots like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Anthropic’s Claude, Google Gemini, and Microsoft’s Copilot.

xAI began testing the Grok iOS app in select countries in December before rolling it out in the U.S. While the company has not announced when an Android version of the app will be available, the iOS launch marks a significant step toward broader accessibility.

In addition to the app release, xAI appears to be developing a dedicated Grok website at Grok.com, which currently features a “coming soon” message. The website’s launch could further enhance Grok’s visibility and user engagement outside the confines of X.

The launch of the Grok app and the anticipated website come as xAI continues to secure significant financial backing. Following a $6 billion funding round in June, the company raised an additional $6 billion, with strategic investments from major technology players like Nvidia and AMD. These investments are expected to bolster xAI’s capabilities in developing and scaling advanced AI technologies.

The introduction of Grok’s standalone app positions xAI as a more direct competitor in the AI chatbot arena, as the company seeks to attract users with its emphasis on real-time information retrieval and creative tools. By making the chatbot accessible to a wider audience and signaling its commitment to innovation through expanded funding and development, xAI aims to solidify its place among leading AI platforms.

As the Grok app gains traction, it remains to be seen how it will compete with more established chatbots and whether it can leverage its ties to X and xAI’s growing ecosystem to carve out a unique niche in the market.