Microsoft announced today it has removed all usage limits for Copilot Voice and Think Deeper features, making OpenAI‘s advanced o1 reasoning model freely available to all users without restrictions.
Why it matters: The move transforms access to premium AI capabilities, as Microsoft offers unlimited free access to features that competitors like ChatGPT charge up to $20 monthly to use.
Technical Features: The newly unrestricted features leverage OpenAI’s most sophisticated models to enhance user interactions in multiple ways. These capabilities were previously limited by daily usage caps, even for free users who had access to them. The update addresses user feedback about hitting these restrictions too frequently:
- Natural voice conversations with interruption capability
- Step-by-step reasoning for complex problems
- Advanced analysis for decision-making tasks
User Benefits: The unlimited access creates several advantages for everyday users who need AI assistance. Microsoft suggests these features are particularly valuable for specific use cases that require more sophisticated AI capabilities:
- Language practice for international travel
- Mock interview preparation with feedback
- Hands-free cooking assistance with recipes
“We are seeing a lot of excitement for Voice and Think Deeper, and we know many of you have been hitting limits. This should help,” Microsoft stated in its announcement. “We are working hard to scale unlimited access to advanced features to as many people as possible, as quickly as possible.”
Think Deeper, which uses OpenAI’s o1 reasoning model, takes approximately 30 seconds to process complex queries but delivers more thorough analysis. Microsoft suggests using it for evaluating major purchases, assessing home renovation value, or planning career moves.
The Voice feature, which launched in October 2024, offers four different voice options (Wave, Meadow, Grove, and Canyon) and works across all platforms where Copilot is available.
While these premium features are now free for everyone, Microsoft maintains some advantages for its $20/month Copilot Pro subscribers, including priority access during peak usage times, additional tokens for Microsoft 365 integration, and access to experimental features through Copilot Labs.
Looking ahead, Microsoft indicated more AI features for Pro users will be announced soon, suggesting the company is balancing democratizing access while maintaining incentives for paid subscriptions.
