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Chatbox app is back on the US app store(github.com)
42 points by themez 5 hours ago | 13 comments
  • viraptor2 hours ago

    Cool that they did that, but they could also start behaving properly. The app labels itself at GPL licensed, but the most recent releases are not available on GitHub. It's been the situation for quite a while now and it's been raised with the author a few times in the issues. They don't seem to care.

  • llamasushi38 minutes ago

    Small anecdote, but back in early 2024 (like, March), I did a ton of searching for an AI helper app that would allow me to use the gemini API key from AI studio. Chatbox was one of only two that I found (can't remember the other), but even back then I was astounded by its functionality and ease of use. It supported a ton of stuff, like custom system prompts, etc. Basically recreated a lot of the lmstudio experience but on a phone.

    You'd be surprised, but it was extremely difficult to find an android app that supported API key usage. Ahead of its time.

  • yosito4 hours ago

    Based on the marketing page and App Store page, I can't really tell what sets this apart from ChatGPT. It looks like essentially the same thing, with a slightly different UI. What features does it have that add value over ChatGPT?

    • rd074 hours ago |parent

      Chatbox is basically a client for various LLM. It can even connect to locally hosted LLM on Ollama.

      • higginsniggins3 hours ago |parent

        how is this different then t3chat?

        • viraptor2 hours ago |parent

          t3chat doesn't have a mobile app.

  • teekert2 hours ago

    Well, you’re talking to a company that trademarked “Apple”.

  • esseph4 hours ago

    You know what I just realized?

    I couldn't tell you the last time I installed a new app on my phone.

    Everything there is mostly out to exploit me, or a direct security liability regardless of what app store.

    • TheDong4 hours ago |parent

      > Everything there is mostly out to exploit me, or a direct security liability regardless of what app store.

      As a shining bright light of hope, I will list some apps I have installed which do not appear to me to fall into those buckets.

      1. Anki - Flash cards app, I can memorize stuff. It's really good.

      2. KDE Connect - Zero exploitation, open source, even sorta works

      3. Peakfinder - So far this app has seemed okay. "I programmed PeakFinder during the day and danced Tango during the night" - Peakfinder's creator

      Also, about 70% of the apps on F-Droid https://f-droid.org/ are fine. This is what I miss most about android.

      I do think that by percentage more of the iOS apps are exploitative crap or full of ads, probably because you need to pay $100/year for the app to keep existing at all.

      One of tricks to get fewer exploitative apps is to avoid iPhone and never install anything that needs google play services.

      Also, delete any app that has an ad instantly unless it's really important.

      • Groxx3 hours ago |parent

        >This is what I miss most about android.

        oh don't worry, Google is trying to kill that too. you won't have to miss Android soon. https://developer.android.com/developer-verification discussion: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45017028

    • macintux2 hours ago |parent

      I experienced deja vu today when an upcoming festival’s website encouraged me to install a custom app for the event on my phone. Felt very 2010(ish).

    • MaxikCZ2 hours ago |parent

      Its really sad to search for some basic functionality like "use phone as wireless mic for PC" only to be hit with wall of in-app pirchases and ads. I understand that the main reason is keeping app on store requires paying ransom to google, which is the worst reason one could imagine.

    • PlunderBunny2 hours ago |parent

      I had the same realisation about game app specifically - in the early days of the App Store, I’d buy several games a year, and play dozens more free games. I can’t remember the last game I bought.