ChatGPT Expands with Integrated Apps, Moving Toward an Operating System
Key Points
- ChatGPT now supports third‑party apps that launch via simple text commands.
- Initial apps include Spotify, Booking.com, Canva, Coursera, Expedia, Figma, and Zillow.
- First use triggers a connection request to clarify data sharing with the app.
- The feature is not yet available to users in the European Union.
- OpenAI will create a dedicated app directory, akin to an app store, for future submissions.
- Executives describe the evolution as turning ChatGPT into a universal operating system.
- The next six months will focus on expanding app availability and refining the interface.
OpenAI has introduced third‑party apps that run inside ChatGPT, allowing users to trigger services like Spotify, Booking.com, and Canva by mentioning the app name in a chat. The new functionality works through a simple prompt interface, and the first use prompts a connection request to clarify data sharing. While the rollout currently excludes EU customers, OpenAI plans to open a dedicated directory for app discovery and expects a surge of submissions. Executives describe the evolution as turning ChatGPT into a universal operating system that blends search, desktop tasks, and AI agents under one text‑based interface.
Third‑Party Apps Integrated Directly into ChatGPT
OpenAI has added a set of third‑party applications that can be launched from within the ChatGPT conversational window. Users simply type the name of an app—such as "Spotify"—followed by a request, and the app appears as an icon above the input field, offering relevant suggestions. The first interaction prompts the user to authorize the connection, making data sharing transparent.
Initial App Offering and Availability
The initial lineup includes services from Booking.com, Canva, Coursera, Expedia, Figma, Spotify, and Zillow. These apps enable tasks ranging from booking travel to designing graphics without leaving the chat interface. The feature is currently unavailable to customers in the European Union, who will receive access at a later stage.
Roadmap Toward an App Directory and Broader Ecosystem
OpenAI plans to launch a dedicated directory where users can browse and search for additional apps. The company expects a large number of submissions as developers seek to claim space in the emerging ecosystem. Executives anticipate that the directory will function similarly to an app store, providing monetization options for creators.
Vision of ChatGPT as an Operating System
Nick Turley, head of ChatGPT, described the upcoming months as a transition from a useful app to a platform that feels like an operating system. The vision is a single universal interface— the text prompt window— that unifies web search, desktop functions, and AI agents. Over the next six months, OpenAI aims to evolve the experience so that users can accomplish a wide range of tasks through conversational commands alone.
Potential Challenges and Outlook
The rollout raises questions about quality control, as early app stores historically faced low‑quality or misleading submissions. OpenAI’s directory will need mechanisms to maintain standards and protect user data. Despite these challenges, the integration of apps marks a significant step toward a more seamless, AI‑driven workflow for consumers and professionals alike.