ChatGPT's enterprise success against Copilot fuels OpenAI/Microsoft rivalry

I pasted your prompt:

  ffmpeg command to convert movie.mov into a reasonably sized mp4

  ffmpeg -i movie.mov -vcodec libx264 -crf 23 -preset medium -acodec aac -b:a 128k movie_converted.mp4

  Here’s the breakdown:
  - -vcodec libx264: Uses the H.264 video codec, great for compression and compatibility.
  - -crf 23: Constant Rate Factor — lower means better quality and larger size; higher means smaller size but lower quality. 23 is a nice middle ground.
  - -preset medium: Controls encoding speed vs. compression efficiency. You can try slow or faster depending on your needs.
  - -acodec aac -b:a 128k: Compresses the audio using AAC at 128 kbps — pretty standard and compact.
  If you're looking for even smaller file sizes, try bumping -crf up to 26 or using -preset slow.
  Want to bake in scaling, remove metadata, or trim the video too? Happy to tailor the command further.

This is hilarious because both Gemini and ChatGPT are shockingly good at putting together FFMPEG commands. They can both put together and also understand the various options and stages/filters.

I cannot reproduce this in any version of copilot?

Copilot with outlook.com

Copilot base one that comes with M365,

And the add-on one for 30$/mo.

Copilot in VS code

All produce: ffmpeg -i movie.mov -vcodec libx264 -crf 23 -preset medium -acodec aac -b:a 128k output.mp4

Which is not surprising because its just an Open AI 4o call... so how are you getting this?

What model? It got right first try here with your exact prompt using the free GPT-4.1 model.

https://i.imgur.com/toLzwCk.png

ffmpeg -i movie.mov -c:v libx264 -preset medium -crf 23 -c:a aac -b:a 128k movie.mp4

BUT, I have this in my copilot-instructions.md file:

    # Always follow these steps when responding to any request
    1. Please do a round of thinking in <thinking></thinking> tags
    2. Then a round of self-critique in <critique></critique> tags
    3. Then a final round of <thinking>, before responding.
    4. If you need more information, ask for it.

This is pretty interesting, I had a very similar experience with Github Copilot's plugin inside Jetbrains IDE today (set to use 4o). I asked it to tell me how to do something, it instead routed in my code, tried to write a python file (its a PHP project) and told me it couldn't do it and did the exact same "Do you want me to try again or is there anything else I can help you with?"

Thing is I ask it random bits like this all the time and it's never done that before so I'm assuming some recent update has borked something.

Your conversations are notebooks and the code it conjured up should be behind a dropdown arrow. For visualization it seems to work fine (i.e. Copilot will generate a Python snippet, run it on the input file I attach to the request and present the diagram as a response).

Microsoft has really screwed up on branding yet again. Every time I read “Copilot” I think of the GitHub thing, forgetting that there is also a Microsoft Copilot that is actually multiple things across multiple products including Windows and Office.

It’s also a website like ChatGPT apparently? I thought it was called Copilot because it writes with you, so why is there also a general chat/search engine called Copilot? Jesus.

ohh wow, that's bad, just tried this with Gemini 2.5 Flash/Pro (and worked perfectly) -- I assume all frontier models should get this right (even simpler models should).

I'll add, that Google search AI integration is quite good. I'm actually amazed how well it works, given the scale of Google Search. Nowadays I don't click search results in 50% of searches, because Google AI outputs response good enough for me.

The problem is that they made huge time consuming investments in technology to make copilot work with the various O365 controls, then confused everyone by slathering copilot on everything.

Wonder why they’re going so slowly…

(& small typo, “Proclarity” = *Perplexity)

Even with their failures Microsoft still has OpenAI over a barrel.

Access to their IP, and 20% of revenue (not profit).

The biggest problem with Microsoft is their UX. From finding out where to actually use their products, to signing in, wading through modals, popups, terms and agreements, redirects that don’t work and links that point to nowhere. Along the way you’ll run into inconsistent, decades old UI elements and marketing pages that fully misunderstand why you’re there.

It’s a big, unsolvable mess that will forever prevent them from competing with legacy-free, capable startups.

They should delete all their public facing websites and start over.

How have they failed? They still get 49% of openAI’s profits so if openAI wins, Microsoft wins.

I'm confused over what anyone means when they say "Copilot", since it could mean the VS Code editor features or various features on github.com or the thing that Microsoft sell as part of their 365 office software.

I think this article is about the 365 suite.

Yes! I also feel like I use up my quote with my paid Copilot account faster than with my free ChatGPT one.

Just ask Copilot

I wonder if a Lexus/Toyota Acura/Honda Lamborghini/Audi OpenAI/Microsoft marketing split isn't in the best interests of tech giants going forward since LLMs are nondeterministic, unlike the deterministic nation-states they've built up till now...

Why is Microsoft special?

ChatGPT. Perplexity. Google AI Mode. All let you get a message off.

… WAIT! copilot dot microsoft dot com lets you just send a message without logging in.

—

heh, the second result on DuckDuckGo is an MS article: “What is Copilot, and how can you use it?”

Products mentioned in the article, they say:

| Copilot | Copilot app | Copilot for individuals |

And a link for each one. Does Satya squirm when he sees that, but doesn’t have the power to change it?

Also the word “individuals” (allegedly previously mentioned) appears only once on the page.

Here are the results I just got.

1. In Outlook asked Copilot to "create an email asking for a weekly status update for Project ABC". Iterating a bit, I asked it to be more casual and shorter. Here's what I got:

  Hey Team,

  Hope you're all doing great. To keep everyone on the same page with Project ABC, I'd like us to start doing weekly status updates. Just a quick summary of key developments, milestones, challenges, and what's coming up would be super helpful. This way, we can coordinate better and tackle any issues right away.

  Thanks for your cooperation and hard work. Looking forward to your updates!

2. I provided Copilot with this prompt:

"I am upgrading the electrical service at my house from 100a to 200a service. Create a project plan in Planner for this project."

Here's the response I got:

  Nice! Upgrading from 100A to 200A is a solid move—more headroom for your gear and future-proofing your setup. Here's a breakdown of how you could structure this as a project in Microsoft Planner, with buckets and tasks to keep it organized:

  ---

  ### **Bucket 1: Planning & Permitting**
  - **Assess current electrical load and future needs**
  - **Consult with a licensed electrician**
  - **Request utility service requirements**
  - **Obtain local permits for electrical service upgrade**
  - **Review NEC and local code requirements**

  ---

  ### **Bucket 2: Materials & Scheduling**
  - **Select upgraded panel (200A rated) and breakers**
  - **Order required materials (panel, feeder wires, conduit, ground rods, etc.)**
  - **Coordinate shutdown and install time with utility provider**
  - **Schedule rough-in inspection with local authority**

  ---

  ### **Bucket 3: Installation**
  - **Shut off power at the main disconnect (coordinate with utility)**
  - **Remove existing 100A panel and components**
  - **Install 200A panel and connect feeders**
  - **Upgrade grounding/bonding system as required**
  - **Replace meter socket if required**

  ---

  ### **Bucket 4: Inspections & Finalization**
  - **Schedule and pass electrical inspection**
  - **Have utility restore permanent power**
  - **Label circuits clearly in new panel**
  - **Update homeowner insurance with new electrical capacity**

  ---

  ### **Bucket 5: Post-Project Wrap-Up**
  - **Document panel layout and upgrades**
  - **Evaluate energy use and plan for future expansion (EV charger, generator, etc.)**
  - **Close out permits with inspection authority**

  ---

  You can assign these tasks to yourself or any contractors involved, and add due dates to align with your timelines. Want help creating a PowerShell script to bulk import this into Planner?

3. I provided Copilot with this prompt:

  book a meeting with <name> for August 1 entitled "Test Meeting"

  I can't directly book meetings or access your calendar, but I can help you set it up! Here's an example of what to enter in Outlook or your preferred calendar app:

  **Title:** Test Meeting  
  **Date:** August 1  
  **Attendees:** Bryan Herbst  
  **Time:** [Insert your preferred time]  
  **Location:** [Optional]  
  **Description:** [Add any notes or agenda items]

  If you're using PowerShell or a script to automate calendar events—especially within Microsoft 365—I can help you write that too. Want to go that route?

Mind providing a link? I may or may not be creating the exact same thing...

Also if anyone from OpenAI or any of its competitors wants to talk my email is on my HN profile ;-)

That they only receive 20% of the revenue.

the other 51%