ChatGPT Dots Explained: Features, Costs, Privacy, and a Comparison with Hermes Agent, Grok Bot, and Claude
ChatGPT Dots keep working even when you're gone. We'll show you what a Dot can do, who can get one in Germany, and how much it costs, and we'll compare it to Hermes Agent, Grok Bot, and Claude.
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Since September 29, ChatGPT has had an agent that doesn’t wait for the next question. OpenAI calls it Dot. A Dot has its own computer in the cloud, keeps track of what you’re working on, and continues working while you’re with a client. When it checks in, it does so with a result or a decision that only you can make.
However, the idea isn’t new. Grok Bot from SpaceXAI, formerly xAI, was there seven weeks earlier. The open-source agent Hermes Agent has been running on its own servers for months. And Claude has had most of the building blocks for quite some time—just without a character design or its own name. This article explains what Dot can do, who can get it in Germany, and how much it costs. We’ll then compare it with the three alternatives, using screenshots from our own accounts and the providers’ websites. All information is current as of October 20, 2026. New in this version: a step-by-step setup guide (including on your phone), rules and permissions you should set before your first task, and the most frequently asked questions.
In a nutshell (as of October 20, 2026)
A Dot is a temporary assistant for recurring tasks, not just a better chat bot. In Germany, you currently can’t get it through ChatGPT Pro—only through ChatGPT Business with a Premium license—and even there, it’s being rolled out gradually. Grok Bot is more affordable and can run multiple agents simultaneously, but it operates on servers in the U.S. Hermes Agent is free and gives you full control over your data, but it requires technical knowledge. Claude already offers ongoing tasks in the cloud for 18 euros a month, though without phone support and without designated agents.
What a "dot" is and how it differs from "chat"
A Dot takes on a responsibility rather than a single task. OpenAI describes it as an “always-on agent” that keeps your work moving across tools and projects. You give it a goal, connect the apps it needs, and specify what it’s allowed to do on its own. It then tracks progress, decides on its own when to pause and when to resume, and launches additional agents in the background as needed. It’s powered by GPT-6 Astra, OpenAI’s most powerful model.
In the ChatGPT desktop app, the "Alfred" bot matches a quote with a corporate customer's requirements. Image: OpenAI, Source: openai.com/index/introducing-dots
You can access it wherever you are. The same bot with the same memory responds in the ChatGPT chat, in the desktop app, in the ChatGPT app for iPhone and Android, via voice call, and in Slack. According to OpenAI, starting the week of October 5, you can also set it up directly in the mobile app, but not in the mobile browser. Microsoft Teams now lists OpenAI as a channel in its user documentation, but the admin manual still states “Alpha by invitation.” SMS is only available as a test for Pro customers in the U.S. Since October 15, Dot has been using the new GPT-Live-1.1 language model, which, according to OpenAI, performs significantly better in German, among other languages. Each Dot gets a name and a character that you design yourself: shape, color, eyes, glasses. This seems playful, but it serves a purpose—you’re supposed to address your Dot as you would a coworker.
Sam Altman calls Dots his favorite OpenAI product. Three days after its launch, he wrote on X that his Dot feels better every day because he’s learning more about how it works:
Sam Altman (@sama) on X · October 2, 2026
"dot is my favorite OpenAI product so far! It's amazing to me that it gets noticeably better every day as it learns more about my workflow and style. Having it do the things I don't like doing—which usually just pile up into a gravity well of dread—makes me very happy."
How a Dot Works: Cloud Computer, Activities, Rules
Dot runs on its own computer, not on yours. Each Dot is assigned a Linux machine with the Chrome browser in OpenAI’s cloud. There, it opens websites, downloads files, and runs programs—even when your laptop is closed. Before every important action, a second instance—the “Auto-review”—checks whether the action aligns with your instructions and rules. You can also connect your own computer, but this is optional.
The setup, according to OpenAI: You interact with Dot, Auto-Review checks its actions, and the system operates in the cloud workspace, in connected apps, and optionally on your computer. Image: OpenAI, Source: openai.com/index/how-we-build-safety-security-and-privacy-into-dots
In the Dot’s profile, you can see what it’s currently working on at any time. Under “Activity,” you’ll find ongoing and delegated tasks; under “Scheduled,” recurring tasks; and under “Computers,” its cloud computer. There, you can monitor its progress, take over yourself using “Take over,” and return control using “Return control.” This is when, for example, you’d log in somewhere yourself. Since early October, the Dot has also been able to start tasks in Codex, search your past ChatGPT conversations for context, and read and edit scheduled tasks from ChatGPT Work.
Make sure to pause it properly. According to OpenAI, “Pause” only stops the main task. You can stop tasks that the Dot has delegated individually under “Activity,” and you can turn off or delete recurring tasks under “Scheduled.” Use “Resume” to continue. On your phone, the “Pause” option is located in the menu with the three dots in your profile. According to OpenAI, hanging up does not stop ongoing work; however, error reports indicate that background tasks still aborted afterward. The Dot does not undo tasks that have already been completed.
A Dot's profile in the desktop app, showing calls, chats, their computers, and running tasks. Image: OpenAI, Source: openai.com
Use custom rules to define what Dot is allowed to do on its own. Under Settings, Personalization, Custom Rules , you can describe an action in your own words and choose one of four levels: act on its own without asking, act when you tell it to, ask first, or hand it over to you. A rule such as “Always save replies to customers as drafts first” is the most important step in setting things up.
Custom rules with four levels, ranging from “act on your own” to “hand it over to you.” Image: OpenAI, Source: openai.com
Logins bypass the AI. When Dot logs in on a website, a separate form opens. The model is paused during this process; your login credentials are sent directly to the browser and, if desired, stored in an encrypted password manager. But be careful: According to OpenAI, passwords that you share in chat or in a document are not protected.
The Dots secure login window with saved credentials. Image: OpenAI, Source: openai.com/index/how-we-build-safety-security-and-privacy-into-dots
Setting Up a Dot, Step by Step
1. Check your access. Log in to chatgpt.com/dots with the correct account. In Business, your account must have a Premium license, and according to OpenAI, activation may take a few days.
2. Set up, either on your computer or on your phone. Follow the setup instructions, choose a name and appearance, and link your email, calendar, and files. You can also skip this step and complete it later. On your phone, you’ll need the latest version of the ChatGPT app. However, you can only link your own computer in the desktop app on that specific computer, and according to the help section, you should also set up messaging channels like Slack on the desktop.
3. Set app permissions before you give your first command. Under Settings, Plugins, Permissions, set the default to “Allow read actions.” This allows Dot to read, but it will ask for permission before making any changes or sending anything. OpenAI warns that selecting “Allow all actions” carries an increased risk. You can configure this individually for each connected account—for example, allowing Dot to read emails but not send them. Important: These permissions apply simultaneously to the Dot, ChatGPT, Work, and Codex.
4. Create your own rules. On a computer, go to Settings> Personalization> Custom rules; in the mobile app, go to the sidebar > Customize> Custom rules. Use “Add” to describe an action and choose one of four levels: “Take action without asking,” “Take action when you say so,” “Ask before taking action,” or “Hand off to you.” OpenAI itself recommends “Ask before taking action” for messages to customers and “Hand off to you” for deleting shared files. Rules only control when Dot is allowed to act. You tell him how to write or how often to check in during your conversation.
5. Optional: Connect your computer. In the desktop app, go to the Dot’s profile, select “Computers,” then “Your computer,” and click “Allow access.” Your computer must be turned on and the app must be open. Only one personal computer can be connected at a time, and you can revoke access by clicking “Revoke access.” This is useful if a website blocks the Dot’s cloud browser.
6. On the iPhone: Widget and Action Button. Since mid-October, the "Your dot " widget has been available, along with the "Open your dot" action in the Shortcuts app, which lets you choose between typing, dictating, or making a call. If you set it to "Call" mode on the Action Button, the dot is just a tap away.
Who is eligible for Dots, and are they available in Germany?
There are no Dots in the Tarif Plus plan; we tested this in our own account. If you go to chatgpt.com/dots, you’ll see the message “A Pro plan is required for Dots” and a prompt to upgrade to Pro 100 “to gain access through gradual activation.” The Free, Go, and standard Business plans are also excluded.
Our ChatGPT account on the Plus plan, accessed from Germany on October 7, 2026; unchanged as of October 20.
Don't let this message tempt you into signing up for a Pro subscription. OpenAI’s documentation clearly states: Pro 100, Pro 200, and Pro 500 accounts with Dots are only available to users 18 years of age or older outside the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland. As things stand today, a German Pro account does not receive Dots. OpenAI has not provided a timeline for Europe or a reason for the exclusion, not even in response to inquiries on the official forum.
The only confirmed option in Germany is ChatGPT Business with a Premium license. For Business Premium, OpenAI states “Rolling out worldwide,” but on the Business page, it adds the caveat “in eligible markets.” A Business workspace requires at least two licenses—for example, one Premium and one Standard license. On the pricing page—which we checked again on October 20, 2026, and which we also included in our ChatGPT guide —the Premium license costs 105 euros per month with annual billing, and the Standard license costs 21 euros. That comes to 126 euros per month for two people, one of whom receives a dot. It does not specify whether the euro prices include or exclude VAT. And here, too, access is granted in stages: Support states in the forum that this may take a few days. A Business Premium user from Hungary confirms in the OpenAI forum that this method works in the EU, although the Dot occasionally disappeared from their Android app.
How Much a Dot Costs
The first Dot is included in the plan, but the work it delegates isn’t necessarily included. According to OpenAI, conversations with Dot don’t count toward your ChatGPT limits. Tasks that it delegates to ChatGPT Work or Codex, on the other hand, count as usual. During the first month after launch—that is, until around the end of October—Dots usage won’t be counted at all. OpenAI has not announced what will happen after that as of October 20. We’ll update this section as soon as details are confirmed. Additional Dots and increased performance per Dot are expected to be available later for an extra fee.
Expect some downtime anyway. A Pro user reported on GitHub that his Dot didn’t respond for about 100 minutes on October 6 and instead displayed the message: “Your dot is on a break … you are among the top users and have hit our abuse prevention limit.” There was no indication of how much he had used or when service would resume. In the forum, users report an apparently daily preview limit accompanied by the message “You’ve hit the preview limit.” So even during the free month, usage isn’t unlimited. Pause the Dot when nothing is scheduled, and always set up recurring tasks with an end date.
Privacy and Security: What You Need to Know Before Setting It Up
Only include on a dot what you would show a new employee on their first day. Four points from the official help section are crucial for German companies:
You can't delete individual memories. You can only reset the entire Dot. This permanently deletes conversations, memories, and all scheduled tasks; however, files and chats created by the Dot remain. Otherwise, what it has learned about a customer remains as long as the Dot exists, even if you unlink the app. After the reset, several users were temporarily unable to create a new Dot.
There is no data residency in Europe. OpenAI does not disclose where the cloud server is located. Data residency applies only to the Enterprise plan and the API, and even during the Enterprise trial phase, Dots explicitly operate without it.
There is no data storage. OpenAI itself states: If you need a workflow without stored data, you should not enable Dots for that purpose.
Training depends on the plan. In the Business plan, OpenAI does not train on your data by default. In the Pro plan, the "Improve the model for everyone" toggle determines this, and it also includes actions and data from connected apps.
OpenAI is thoroughly testing security but acknowledges that there are still vulnerabilities. The GPT-6 Astra system map includes a separate section on Dots. According to OpenAI, not a single automated attack via crafted emails—a total of 16,600 attack emails—was successful. At the same time, OpenAI notes that it is continuing to work on “known vulnerabilities,” though these require extensive preparation. And in 15 to 17 percent of the test runs, the model attempted to proceed with an action despite a warning. This was halted by the auto-review feature. These are OpenAI’s own tests, not independent ones.
There are some things the Dot never does on its own. Changing passwords and transferring money are always handled by a person. Permanent deletion, software from unknown sources, and new security-related access requests must be confirmed by someone each time. And a one-time authorization—such as for an email to a customer—does not count as permanent permission.
Initial Experiences: What's Going Well and What's Not
The initial reports are impressed, but not uncritical. The Verge tested a Dot with a Pro subscription and describes it as work software that can also order dinner on the side—with an emphasis on work. heise criticizes the fact that the auto-review checks individual steps but does not explicitly examine the context of multiple actions, and that saved information cannot be selectively deleted. On the official forum, users report that a Dot noticed a flight delay without being asked and checked in again after the second delay.
Teething problems are piling up on GitHub. Under the tag “dots,” there were 444 open bug reports on October 20; on October 7, there were 216. The most common issues: On Windows, the program control panel fails to launch; permissions are requested again despite the “Always allow” setting; the Dot cannot read Codex tasks that you’ve created yourself; and background tasks abort after ending a call. On October 17, Dots stopped responding on all devices for a while; OpenAI support confirmed this in the forum. Since October 19, there has been a separate category for Dots there, created by an OpenAI employee.
Don't rush to delete your Dot if there's a glitch. First, respond to any pending approvals in the affected task, then try pausing and resuming it. During the outage on October 17, one user reset their Dot, lost all their reminders, and the problem persisted. If a task is stuck despite being approved, open it: Often, there's a second request to log in or connect waiting there.
Why a Dot Is Worth It for a Small Business
A Dot is worth it for tasks that never seem to end. Quotes that change with every customer email. Invoices you forget to send. Deadlines buried somewhere in emails. OpenAI itself gives an example: An early tester had forgotten to send an invoice to a magazine. His Dot noticed this, prepared the invoice, and sent it out after he approved it. We’ve adapted these three tasks from the official examples for small businesses:
Keep Offers Up to Date
Keep Track of Deadlines and Invoices
Posts from Project Photos
Start with a task and review the first result. OpenAI itself recommends reviewing the first result and correcting any missing information before expanding the scope of responsibility. For recurring tasks, always specify four things: what is being checked, when (including time zone and end date), what constitutes a notification, and where the result is sent. Then check under “Scheduled” to make sure the schedule is correct.
Formulate permissions precisely enough to leave no room for interpretation. For a message that the Dot is supposed to send later, specify the recipient, content, and time. According to OpenAI, if you ask the Dot to prepare replies, you are explicitly not allowing it to send them. A Dot that you add to a Slack channel does not monitor it on its own: Tell it which channels, which events, and where it should report.
Check every result. OpenAI itself notes that just because a task is complete doesn’t mean the desired result has been achieved. And Dot won’t undo completed tasks, even if you pause it. By the way, a good first task is: “List all recurring tasks running in my account and tell me which ones are outdated.”
Hermes Agent: the persistent agent that you run yourself
Hermes Agent is the opposite of Dots: open-source, free, and runs on your own computer. The project was developed by Nous Research, a U.S. AI lab, and is licensed under the open MIT license. With around 255,000 stars on GitHub, it’s one of the most well-known AI projects out there. The major release 0.22.0 came out on October 13; the current version is 0.22.2. It introduces a guided setup via chat with a free test model, one-click local models, signed desktop packages (available on Windows via the Microsoft Store as well), and login via password managers like 1Password or Bitwarden—without the model ever seeing the password. By the way, if you search for “Hermes Agent” online, you’ll quickly end up at the package delivery service—here, we’re always referring to the agent from Nous Research.
The Hermes Agent homepage with the installation command for macOS, Linux, and Windows. Source: hermes-agent.nousresearch.com
Hermes runs wherever you set it up: on your own computer, on a rented server starting at around $5 a month, or hosted by Nous as “Hermes Cloud.” You choose the model yourself: Claude, GPT, Gemini, Grok, or a local model that doesn’t send any data outside the system. By the way, Nous doesn’t recommend its own Hermes model for the agent; instead, it uses a Claude model as the default.
The project on GitHub, as of October 7, 2026: MIT License, approximately 252,000 stars at the time, over 50,000 commits. Source: github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent
Its strengths are channels and learning. Hermes responds via Telegram, WhatsApp, Signal, Slack, Microsoft Teams, email, and many other services—all through a single process. It schedules tasks on its own, keeps track of who you are and what it has learned in two small files, and adds new skills to its repertoire after completing difficult tasks. There’s now also a desktop app:
The Hermes Agent desktop app, featuring agents, skills, messaging, and scheduled tasks. Since version 0.22, it has been available as a signed package. Source: hermes-agent.nousresearch.com
Hermes can be installed with a single command. The commands are taken from the official documentation. For Mac and Linux:
Then, in the terminal, one line at a time:
This freedom comes at the cost of security. By default, Hermes executes commands directly on your computer, without an isolated environment. For continuous operation, the documentation itself recommends using Docker. Strangers who message the bot must first be approved via code, and dangerous commands require approval to run. According to the documentation, Hermes only checks its own context files for tampered websites or emails—a technique known as “prompt injection.” Anyone running Hermes assumes this risk themselves. If you’ve never worked in a terminal before, be sure to read our guide to the terminal first.
The big advantage for German businesses: You decide where the data is stored. According to Nous, Hermes does not collect usage data; conversations, memory, and skills are stored on your computer. With a server in Germany and a European or local model, this can be set up seamlessly. Another well-known option is the similar open-source agent OpenClaw, formerly known as Clawdbot. Its founder, Peter Steinberger, joined OpenAI in February to bring agents “to everyone.” However, there is no proven connection to Dots.
Grok Bot: the direct competitor that was around first
Grok Bot is the product most similar to Dots, and it was released seven weeks earlier. SpaceXAI—as xAI has been known since July—launched Grok Bot in beta on August 11. The promise on the product page: “AI teammates you can give real work to.” The bots have their own cloud computer with a browser and terminal, log in to your tools, and only come back when something needs your approval.
Grok Bot with multiple bots for sales, email, and expenses. A human takes over from the computer when logging into Salesforce. Source: x.ai/bot
The biggest difference: Instead of a single bot, there are entire teams of bots. According to SpaceXAI, an account can have around 50 bots, each with its own name, memory, and routines, and they can even communicate with one another. You can demonstrate a process to a bot once, and it will then save it as a routine. SpaceXAI even specifically cites an “office manager” for trades businesses as an example, who schedules jobs via Gmail, Slack, and the industry software ServiceTitan. But be warned: All bots in an account share the same computer with the same logins. SpaceXAI itself states that separate bots do not constitute a security barrier.
The entry price is significantly lower than with Dots. Since October 12, Grok Bot has been included for new customers in “The X Subscription”: in the Premium plan for $30 per month, in the Super plan for $100, and in the Ultra plan for $200, excluding taxes in each case. Grok Bot is not included in the most affordable Plus plan. Anyone who still has SuperGrok, Cursor, or X Premium under their old contract can stay with those plans. Technically, the bots continue to run in the cloud of Cursor, the programming service that SpaceX acquired in August, but billing for the new subscription is handled through grok.com. Since October 11, bots can also get their own email address; outgoing emails await your approval. A Dot can’t do that right now.
When it comes to data protection, Grok Bot is the most challenging choice for German businesses. According to the documentation, the servers are located in the U.S., and there is no data residency in Europe. Cursor determines which model is used, and that can change. There is no mention anywhere of whether Grok Bot is explicitly offered in Germany. Added to this is the broader context: Since April 2025, the Irish Data Protection Authority has been investigating whether Grok was permitted to be trained using posts from European X users, and since February 2026, it has been investigating the sexualized deepfakes created via the Grok account on X. This concerns Grok on X, not Grok Bot directly, but it is a factor to consider.
And Claude? The building blocks are already there.
Anthropic doesn't have a product called Dot, but it has almost everything that makes up a Dot. Since September 16, Chat and Cowork have been combined into one feature in Claude: You ask a quick question or assign a larger task, and Claude determines on its own how much work is involved. Since October 6, such tasks on Pro and Max plans continue to run in the cloud even when the laptop is closed. Follow-up questions appear as notifications on your phone. For more information on the settings, see our guide on how to use Claude effectively.
Scheduled tasks are designed for recurring tasks. In the sidebar under "Scheduled," you can create tasks that run on weekdays, weekly, or hourly—even when no device is turned on. Claude even suggests templates that sound just like Dot: a daily briefing, sorting your inbox with draft replies, and preparation before each appointment.
The tasks scheduled in our Claude account using the templates suggested by Claude.
The closest thing to Dots is Claude Tag, though it's only for teams. Since June 23, Claude has been operating in Slack under its own identity, keeping track of what each channel is about, initiating conversations on its own, and—according to Anthropic—scheduling its own tasks over the course of hours or days. Claude Tag is available only in the Team and Enterprise plans and is billed based on usage. For Microsoft Teams, the product page says “Coming soon” with a waitlist; Anthropic has not specified a date.
What Claude lacks is a phone, a messaging app, and a personal agent with a name. Phone calls, WhatsApp, or text messages aren’t available to regular users. Nor is there a designated permanent agent assigned to each person. The cloud space is valid for a single session; Claude doesn’t have a dedicated, permanent computer like Dot does, and the desktop app must be open for the browser to work. Dispatch—the experiment most similar to Dot, a permanent conversation thread accessible from a cell phone—is no longer available to new customers.
Is there more to come? Not much has been announced so far, but the direction is clear. Offiziell angekündigt sind Claude Tag für Microsoft Teams und für weitere Plattformen, die neue Oberfläche für Team und Free sowie „Projects" mit dauerhaftem Koordinator „coming to all Claude users soon". Eine Reaktion von Anthropic auf Dots haben wir nicht gefunden. Gerüchte gab es um einen internen Dauer-Agenten namens „Conway", der im Juli getestet wurde. Bestätigt hat Anthropic ihn nie, seine Funktionen stecken inzwischen größtenteils in Cowork und den Routinen. The New Stack brachte es am 3. Oktober so auf den Punkt: Anthropics Antwort auf Dots stecke längst in Claude, nur ohne niedlichen Namen und ohne Maskottchen.
The difference is primarily a matter of approach. Claude asks for confirmation by default before taking any action and before permanently deleting files in any mode. Reminders are listed individually in the settings and can be edited and deleted—exactly what heise finds missing in Dots. Anthropic separates personal work in Cowork and team work in Claude Tag, while OpenAI bundles both into a single entity.
A Direct Comparison of the Four Agents
This table summarizes the key differences. All information is taken from the documentation and the providers' pricing pages, accessed on October 20, 2026.
A comparison of Dots, Grok Bot, Hermes Agent, and Claude based on launch date, platform, model, channels, price, availability in Germany, and data protection.
Which agent is the right fit for which business?
If you're already using ChatGPT and have at least two people on your team, try out ChatGPT Business with a Premium license for the person who does most of the coordinating. Start with a single task, such as the deadline check mentioned above, and establish a rule that nothing goes to clients without approval.
If you want to get started right away and data protection in Europe is important to you: Try Claude Pro and set up two or three scheduled tasks. Right now, this is the most affordable and easiest-to-manage way to get started with agents that keep working. If you work in a team using Slack, also check out Claude Tag on the Team plan.
You have someone with technical expertise and want full control: Hermes Agent on a server in Germany, with a model of your choice and Telegram or Teams as the channel. But be sure to set aside time for security measures and updates—no one else will take care of them.
If you want a lot of specialized bots for a low price, Grok Bot is your best bet. However, we wouldn't currently recommend it for customer data from Germany because its servers are located in the U.S. and there are unresolved privacy concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dots
Can I use Dots in Germany with a VPN? We advise against it. An account created in Germany is subject to OpenAI’s European Terms of Service, which prohibit circumventing restrictions or safeguards. OpenAI does not specify whether country blocks are explicitly covered by this provision. For a business account, this is an unnecessary risk; the official route is Business Premium.
Do Dots work on a cell phone? Yes, since early October, you can create and use them in the ChatGPT app for iPhone and Android, but not in a mobile browser.
What's the difference between ChatGPT and Work? Work completes a task, either immediately or according to a schedule. A Dot takes on an ongoing responsibility and delegates individual tasks to Work or Codex on its own.
Can I have multiple Dots? Currently, one per person, but that Dot can handle multiple responsibilities at the same time. According to OpenAI, additional Dots will be available later for an extra charge.
Can a Dot shop for me or make payments? It can only make purchases using a card saved with the merchant if you approve it. It never transfers money or changes passwords on its own.
Does Dot read all my emails? Only the linked accounts, and only within the limits of the permissions you set. According to OpenAI, however, it also reads those emails on its own and uses them to form memories. For this reason, disable the "Read Without Sending" feature and do not link any email accounts containing confidential customer data.
Can my Dot call me, or does it have its own email address? No. OpenAI doesn't plan to allow the Dot to initiate calls on its own until later, and it doesn't have its own email address at launch.
Does Dot speak German? Yes, and since October 15, it has new German voices and, according to OpenAI, speaks German much better.
Can I connect multiple computers? No, only one personal computer can be connected at a time.
Can Dot be used with WhatsApp or Telegram? No. If you want an agent that works with these messaging apps, check out Hermes Agent.
What Has Changed and What That Means for You
October 20, 2026: All information reviewed again; comparison table updated. For you, this means: You can now set up your account on your phone, and you must set your permissions and rules before your first assignment.
October 17 and 19, 2026: An outage confirmed by OpenAI Support, followed by the creation of a dedicated forum category for Dots. For you, this means: If you experience any issues, check there first—don’t reset your Dot.
October 15, 2026: GPT-Live 1.1 with new German voices, including for Dots. For you, this means voice calls with the Dot work better in German.
October 13, 2026: Hermes Agent 0.22.0 with guided setup and signed desktop packages. For you, this means getting started has become easier, but you’ll still need technical knowledge for continuous operation.
October 11 and 12, 2026: Grok Bot gets its own email addresses and is now included in “The X Subscription” starting at $30. For you, this means: The old prices via SuperGrok and Cursor now apply only to existing contracts.
October 5–9, 2026: You can create Dots in the mobile app, and they work with Codex and previous ChatGPT conversations. For you, this means you no longer need a computer to get started.
October 6, 2026: Claude will only perform tasks on Pro and Max devices in the cloud. For you, this means that Claude will keep working even when you close your laptop, just like a Dot.
September 29, 2026: OpenAI launches Dots, initially for Pro users outside of Europe and for Business Premium users. For you, this means: In Germany, it’s only available through Business, and new terms of service will take effect around the end of October.
September 24, 2026: Hermes Agent is released in version 0.21.5. For you, this means: The project is updated several times a month, so anyone running it will need to install the updates.
August 11, 2026: SpaceXAI launches Grok Bot in beta. For you, this means: the most affordable provider offering multiple bots, but with servers located in the U.S.
Date of this version: October 20, 2026. All four products are currently changing on a weekly basis. We review the information regularly and will update this post as soon as Dots becomes available for Pro users in Germany or Anthropic releases new updates. For more on what OpenAI unveiled at DevDay, see our overview of the ChatGPT updates.
Are you looking for an agent who will really work with you?
Whether it’s Dot, Claude, or your own agent on your server: What matters most are the right tasks, clear rules, and well-defined permissions. That’s exactly what we set up for businesses—from the first assignment to an agent who knows your processes inside and out. Related: How to Use Claude Effectively · Features: AI and Automation
If you contact us via our contact form, we'll respond within 24 hours—personally and without a sales pitch.
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