OpenAI has updated the ChatGPT iPhone app to enable users to access their four most recent photos with a long press on the plus button, simplifying the process of sharing images while Apple’s Siri AI visual features remain unavailable on iPhones in the European Union.
- Long press on ChatGPT iPhone plus button shows four recent photos
- Feature simplifies attaching photos, reducing taps from three to one
- Launched amid Apple’s Siri AI visual assistant delay in the EU
What happened
OpenAI has introduced a shortcut in its ChatGPT app for iPhone that allows users to quickly access their four most recent photos by long pressing the plus button. Previously, users had to open the plus menu, select Photos, and then navigate their entire photo library to find an image, which could be cumbersome for those with large collections.
This update was rolled out as part of OpenAI’s weekly improvements released on August 21, alongside enhancements like better handling of current time queries and faster loading for extended conversations on the web version.
Why it matters
Apple has delayed the release of Siri’s AI-powered camera and visual assistant features on iPhones and iPads in the European Union due to regulatory issues related to the Digital Markets Act. The EU demands interoperability rules that Apple argues would compromise their system security and user experience, leaving EU device users without these native visual intelligence capabilities.
This regulatory deadlock affects roughly 450 million people in the EU, creating a unique market gap. OpenAI’s new photo shortcut in ChatGPT is a subtle yet meaningful workaround, providing iPhone users in Europe a quicker way to share visual information despite the absence of Apple’s native AI assistant features.
What to watch next
The evolution of AI-driven visual assistance on smartphones in the EU remains uncertain as Apple and regulators continue to dispute over the Digital Markets Act’s implications. How and when Apple might roll out its Siri AI camera features in the region is still unsettled, which keeps the demand for alternative solutions high.
Meanwhile, OpenAI is expanding its presence in Europe not only through product feature improvements but also commercial moves such as launching ads in 31 European countries. Observers should watch for further innovations from OpenAI that leverage this gap, potentially shaping the future landscape of AI assistance on iPhones across the continent.