OpenAI hit a game-changer with Apps inside ChatGPT! So, you read correctly. Now, there is no need to switch between ChatGPT and the desired app, as the app can be used directly from within the chat. That went pretty fast.
Consider this: You just finished talking with ChatGPT about sketching a new logo. Normally, you would ask ChatGPT for prompts or ideas and then switch to Figma, Canva, or another tool. But now? You just type, “Figma, turn this scribble into a workable diagram,” and Figma opens right within your ChatGPT window. No app-hopping, no friction.
OpenAI launched this feature at DevDay 2025, Introducing both the user interface and the Apps SDK, so third-party developers could roll out their own interactive integrations. From the developers’ point of view, this unlocks direct access to the conversational power of ChatGPT, and from the end-users’ point of view, it means services will now be embedded into their chat interface. It’s something every tech fan would love.
Clearly, this move is seen as one step in OpenAI’s journey of creating an entire ecosystem. It used to be that they had the GPT Store, but that was an app store separate from ChatGPT. Now the apps are stitched directly into the conversation.
The early round of app integration inside ChatGPT lineup includes: Booking.com, Spotify, Zillow, Coursera, Canva, with even more integrations in the pipeline, such as DoorDash, Uber, and Instacart.
Imagine telling ChatGPT, “Find me a one-bedroom apartment near me under $1,500,” only to have an interactive map appear, offering options to click, ask questions, and fine-tune filters, all without ever leaving the chat. It is not just generative AI getting smart; generative AI is getting useful in a new way.
Moreover, OpenAI specifies that apps in ChatGPT are only allowed to request minimal data and must clearly state which permissions they require. It is not exactly clear how much conversation history these apps get to see: is it the full chat, just the prompt, or simply whatever data is passed to the apps?
Now, here is an interesting question to consider: How does ChatGPT select which app to choose when more than one provider is competing for its attention (say, Spotify vs. Apple Music)? Could this become a paid-for placement? User experience is the top priority, at least in OpenAI’s words.
In a way, generative AI just got a lot more hands-on. It’s no longer just about presenting the output. Rather, ChatGPT is becoming a platform, a do-it-all tool for conversational productivity.
The next big question: Who will build the killer app inside ChatGPT? That should be where the real fun begins.
