OpenAI Launches Sora 2 and a Dedicated Video Creation App

Rumors were swirling online just yesterday that OpenAI was building its own answer to popular video services, and today, those speculations have been confirmed. The company has introduced not only the new Sora 2 video model but also a separate iOS app, which is being positioned as a social platform for collaborative creativity.

The new neural network isn't just about a higher-quality picture; it demonstrates a deeper understanding of the physical world within a scene. Where a basketball player who missed a shot might have previously seen the ball magically go through the hoop, Sora 2 allows it to bounce realistically off the backboard. The developers note that the model can now simulate not just successful actions but also failures, making the videos far more lifelike.

Another significant upgrade is controllability. Users can now give the system complex, multi-step instructions—for example, asking for multiple shot changes within a single clip—while the model maintains consistency for the scene and all the objects in frame. The most talked-about feature, however, is the ability to write yourself into a video. The "Cameo" technology, after a short scan of a person's appearance and voice, allows you to add a digital copy of yourself—or even your pet—into any generated storyline. It's this capability that forms the foundation of the new Sora app for iPhone.

The app itself is designed not as an endless content feed for passive consumption, as was previously assumed, but as a tool for collaborative creation. Users can create videos, remix each other's work, and use their "Cameos" in shared projects. For teenagers, the app will feature daily time limits for feed scrolling and enhanced parental controls.

Access to both the Sora 2 model and the app is currently available by invitation only to residents of the U.S. and Canada. After the official release, a basic version will be free but with limits on the number of requests, while ChatGPT Pro subscribers will get access to a more advanced Sora 2 Pro model. No timeline has been announced for a global rollout or for the app's availability on other platforms like Android.