GPT Monster Morphing Muddle

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 12:33:34 +1000

As OpenAI try to move forward their models and apps they’re creating quite the muddle. My impression is that OpenAI are trying to do too much, too fast and in the process burning their users.

This morning (or overnight my time) they’ve rolled out

New Family of models with GPT-5.6 in three variants: Sol (considered its workhorse), Terra (a more intermediate option), and Luna (its budget-friendly option)
New concept “Work” - Use Work when you want ChatGPT to complete a task with a clear outcome, such as a brief, deck, analysis, recurring update, workflow, or file you can review and use.
New apps for Mac, iOS and Windows - chatgpt.com/features/…
New web experience to match the “Chat”, “Work”, “Code” switch
New “Sites” in Codex - Build and share hosted sites in ChatGPT. Sites lets ChatGPT create, host, refine, and share websites, web apps, and games. Use Sites when you want to turn a prompt or compatible existing project into a hosted experience without setting up a separate deployment workflow. Demo of Sites via YouTube
Introducing GPT‑Live: “A new generation of voice models for natural human-AI interaction, now powering ChatGPT Voice” - a seriously impressive new voice interaction model which dropped a day earlier.

The rollout is very uneven. At present I can see “Work” in web and iOS but not on desktop. I can’t see “Codex” anywhere.

OpenAI are moving to the same position as Anthropic (Claude) with one app and the three modes; Chat, Work and Code.

Use Chat when you want an answer, explanation, brainstorm, or short draft. Use Work when you want ChatGPT to complete a task with a clear outcome, such as a brief, deck, analysis, recurring update, workflow, or file you can review and use. - learn.chatgpt.com/docs/use-…

Work is a good step forward but replicates what could previously be done with Codex app. It was a solid, native app that beat Claude Cowork for speed and slickness. For example, it embedded a fully functional Web preview in the app.

It sounds like the quality of this native app has been replaced by a lumbering Electron app - a full browser in a pretty wrapper. John Gruber pulls no punches when he says, “Today’s the Day OpenAI F*cked Up the ChatGPT Mac App”

OpenAI have said more than 5 million people use Codex each week, with more than 1 million using it outside software development.

Millions of users! Why would they be so cavalier in this rollout?

It’s a shame really as the performance of the new GPT-5.6 models is very good when considered on a value for money basis. I can access them today through web and iOS but my Mac is still stuck waiting for the new app to drop.

It’s just lucky I wasn’t racing fast to meet some deadline only to be derailed by this appalling lack of planning and change management.

Rambling Rows

GPT Monster Morphing Muddle