r/OpenAI•
jozefiria

Shimmer and keeping legacy "standard* voice?

Question

TL:dr: Have ChatGPT ever signalled the conversationality of the old voice mode will ever return, and will Shimmer ever be available as a voice?

I know that Advanced Voice (or I think simply "ChatGPT Voice" as it's now been rebranded) is taking over all voice and the legacy option to use Standard Voice is retiring 9th September.

I also know that lots of people couldn't stand the new Advanced Voice. Me included.

I use a couple of Custom GPTs as tools to talk through situations. They're very conversational, supportive tone and it's seriously been an incredible tool for many uses. These used Shimmer (all custom GPTs did/do and Standard Voice.)

As of a couple days ago it seems these have moved over to Advanced Voice. It's completely broken the use case of the Custom GPTs as the new advanced voice has got that Custom Service Rep tone and seems to finish every statement with "let me know if there's anything else I can help with!", i.e. seems to end rather than continue the conversation).

Shimmer was quite a soothing voice and it always asked deepening questions at the end of whatever it was saying. It was empathetic and honestly just mind-blowingly brilliant, almost like a therapist and just someone to bounce off.

I can use legacy chat until September 9th. After that, I feel my use of Chat GPT voice will end and I'll watch for developments. I've tried the new voice several times and it just doesn't work the same for the use case. Too condescending and blunt.

I have tried to find a way to feedback to Chat GPT but can't actually seem to find a route, I guess my questions are:

  • Does anyone feel the same about what I've felt?
  • Has ChatGPT acknowledged the widespread dislike of the new voice modes?
  • Any hint of Shimmer being available as a voice option at least?

Thanks.

Posted Aug 11, 2025, 1:14 PM UTC

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