Mistral AI has recently updated its Le Chat tool, implementing several changes and hinting at future developments. The Model Selector feature has been removed, replaced by what seems to be an automatic selection mode. In this setup, general queries now default to Mistral 2 and image attachments automatically route to Pixtral. Additionally, users can still specify custom agents using @ mention shortcuts, allowing them to control the assistant they engage.
There is speculation about a new multi-model under the codename Pandragon, potentially corresponding to a model called Mistral 2.1. This model is expected to support multi-modal capabilities and include tools for functionalities such as web search and image generation. Although it’s not confirmed whether Pandragon and Mistral 2.1 are the same model, descriptions in the code suggest that Mistral 2.1 may indeed bring multi-model support.
In the current release of Le Chat, the hidden beta UI hints that three new features could soon be accessible to all users, potentially without a private beta phase (?). These features, though not fully implemented due to the absence of image previews, are as follows: first, a web search feature powered by Brave Search Index, positioning Mistral uniquely with a search index different from Bing or Google; second, an image generation feature supported by Flux, similar to how Grok operates; and third, a collaborative interface called Canvas, which allows users to edit and refine generative content with preview and export options, resembling Anthropic’s Artifacts or OpenAI’s Canvas.
Additionally, two more features are on the horizon. PDF attachment support is one such feature, suggested by an update to the attachment button UI, although it’s not yet functional. Another planned feature, uncovered in the code, is a router feature named Connectors, with a Notion Alpha integration as one of its functions. This would presumably let users connect to Notion via an API key or sync and allow Le Chat to retrieve Notion data through Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG). Notion Alpha, however, does not appear under the beta features section, suggesting it could be reserved for enterprise or team accounts.
Overall, Mistral AI continues to progress with Le Chat's feature set, advancing its functionality while differentiating itself with unique choices, such as using the Brave Search Index. Despite still positioning itself alongside major competitors, Mistral maintains a notable distinction by keeping its models open-source, offering robust performance metrics and transparency in its development approach.
