Ever wanted a kitchen buddy who talks back? Grok Voice—xAI’s latest beta drop—hit my iOS app this week, and I’ve been testing it while chopping onions. It’s February 2025, and this AI’s chatting me up with a voice called Sal, straight out of a sci-fi flick. Here’s how it turned my mundane cooking into a cosmic convo.
Why I Tried It
I’m no tech genius—just a guy who burns toast. But Grok Voice, free with my X Premium+ sub, promised a talking AI. Musk hyped it on X as “awesome but patchy,” and with a fix dropped February 24, I had to see if it could spice up my stir-fry nights.
The Experiment
“Sal, how do I make a killer pasta sauce?” I asked, half-expecting silence. Instead, Sal’s smooth tone kicked in: “Tomatoes, garlic, a splash of wine—simmer it slow, mate.” It even hummed a tune—off-key but charming. Next, I pushed it: “Tell me about alien food.” Sal riffed, “Glorgs on Zeta-9 slurp neon slime—tastes like regret.” I laughed, sauce forgotten.
The Good and the Rough
Sal’s got personality—witty, warm, like a friend who’s seen too many space movies. The February 24 update cut the stutters, but it’s slow—pauses mid-sentence like it’s pondering life. No accent options yet, and it skipped when I mumbled. Still, it’s a beta—raw but alive.
What’s Cooking Next?
X users say Tesla’s getting Grok Voice soon—imagine it narrating your commute. I’d love a “chef mode” next—less alien slime, more recipes. For now, it’s my quirky sous-chef, turning kitchen chaos into a chatroom.
Wrap-Up
Grok Voice isn’t perfect, but it’s fun. It’s like xAI bottled a sci-fi pal and handed it over. Try it—ask it something wild. What’d you get out of it?