Get ready to create! Microsoft is bringing the magic of AI video generation right to your fingertips through its Bing mobile app. The company has just rolled out Bing Video Creator, a new tool powered by none other than OpenAI’s impressive Sora text-to-video model. This is a big deal because, until now, getting your hands on Sora typically required a paid ChatGPT subscription.
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Think of it as making powerful AI video creation accessible to everyone, directly from your phone. You can now simply describe the video you imagine, and Bing will help bring it to life.
Key Takeaways:
- Free Sora Access: Bing Video Creator offers a way to use OpenAI’s Sora model without a subscription.
- Mobile First: Available now on the Bing apps for Android and iPhone.
- Easy to Use: Generate videos by typing descriptions into the Bing search bar or using a dedicated menu option.
- Quick Creations: Generate short, 5-second vertical videos.
What is Bing Video Creator?
At its heart, Bing Video Creator is a new feature within the Microsoft Bing mobile app that lets you turn text descriptions into short video clips. It leverages OpenAI’s Sora, a leading artificial intelligence model designed specifically for creating realistic and imaginative videos from text prompts.
Microsoft’s goal here is to “democratize AI video generation,” making it easy and free for anyone to experiment with turning their ideas into visual stories. While Sora is often behind a paywall (like in ChatGPT Plus), this Bing integration opens up a free tier for anyone using the app.
How to Get Started with AI Video
Getting your hands on this new tool is straightforward. Bing Video Creator is currently rolling out globally to the Bing Search apps on Android and iPhone. (Note: It’s not available in China or Russia). Microsoft also mentioned that support for desktop users and its Copilot search experience is on the way soon.
Once the feature is live for you, you can access it in a couple of ways:
- Look for the Video Creator option within the menu found at the bottom right corner of the Bing app.
- Alternatively, you might be able to simply type a detailed description of the video you want to create directly into the main Bing search bar.
Using the Creator: What to Expect
Creating a video is as simple as typing what you want to see. Imagine a “fluffy cat riding a skateboard” or a “futuristic city skyline at sunset.” You type that description, and the AI gets to work.
You can queue up to three video generation requests at a time. Bing offers two speed options for creating your videos:
- Standard: This speed is free for all users. It might take a little longer, but it costs you nothing.
- Fast: If you’re in a hurry, the Fast option promises videos in “seconds.” You get 10 Fast generations for free initially. After that, you can either use the free Standard speed or redeem 100 Microsoft Rewards points for each additional Fast generation. (Microsoft Rewards lets you earn points for using Bing and other Microsoft services, which you can then redeem for various perks).
When your video is ready, you’ll receive a notification. The videos are currently limited to five seconds in length and generated in a 9:16 vertical format, perfect for mobile viewing and sharing on platforms like TikTok or Instagram Stories. Microsoft plans to add support for the wider 16:9 horizontal format later.
Your generated videos will be stored within the Bing app for up to 90 days. During this time, you can easily download them to your device or share them directly to other social media platforms or messaging apps.
Examples of AI-generated videos from the Microsoft Bing app, including an otter chef and a hamster sweeping.
Here are two examples of the kind of AI-generated clips you can expect from the Bing Video Creator, showing an otter chef and a hamster sweeping.
What About Video Quality?
When looking at the example videos Microsoft released, like the otter chef or the sweeping hamster, they showcase some of the capabilities but also some limitations of the current AI video generation. You might notice some slightly unnatural movements or character appearances – they can look a bit cartoony compared to highly polished examples sometimes shown by AI labs.
This is a good point to consider the state of AI video today. While models like Sora and Google’s Veo 3 are making incredible strides, the technology is still evolving. Based on our own [experience experimenting with Sora](link to Verge Sora hands-on if available, otherwise remove or rephrase) previously, the examples Microsoft shows through Bing Video Creator seem to be a more realistic representation of what the model currently produces for typical users, compared to the [highly refined demo videos OpenAI released initially](link to OpenAI Sora announcement if available, otherwise remove or rephrase) when Sora was first teased.
It’s important to have realistic expectations – you’re not going to be generating Hollywood-level CGI sequences instantly. However, for quick, imaginative, or illustrative clips, this free access to Sora via Bing is a fantastic starting point.
The Takeaway: AI Video for Everyone
Microsoft’s integration of Sora into the Bing mobile app is a significant step in making powerful AI creative tools available to the general public. It bypasses subscription costs and puts video generation capability directly into the device many people use most: their smartphone.
While the videos are short and the quality is still developing, the ease of use and free access make Bing Video Creator an exciting tool for anyone curious about AI art and video. It’s a simple way to experiment and see your imaginative prompts come to life, all from the convenience of your phone.
Want to learn more about the latest in AI video technology? [Explore more articles on AI developments and tools.](link to relevant category page if available, otherwise remove or rephrase)
