OpenAI announces the launch of a new platform within ChatGPT.Applications Directory (App Directory) allows users to directly connect ChatGPT with external services (such as Spotify, Dropbox, Apple Music, etc.) to realize the scenario of "chatting while doing business", which also means that ChatGPT has taken a key step towards becoming a "super app".
From "dialogue" to "action": ordering food and giving presentations simply by speaking
According to OpenAI's official announcement, the newly launched application catalog will be divided into three categories: "Feature", "Lifestyle" and "Productivity". It currently supports iOS, Android and the web version of ChatGPT.
In the past, using ChatGPT might have required manually copying and pasting data. Now, through "Apps," formerly known as the Connector function, AI can directly read or manipulate data from external services. Users can simply click "Connect" and authorize to directly call these services in the conversation.
• Productivity improvements:After connecting to Dropbox or Google Drive, ChatGPT can directly read reports from the cloud drive for summarization, and even convert outlines directly into presentation files.
• Lifestyle and Entertainment:Highlights of this update include the addition of Apple Music integration, allowing users to use natural language to ask AI for music recommendations, create playlists, or organize their music library.
• Entity Services:By integrating with the DoorDash delivery platform, AI can automatically convert the required ingredients into a shopping list based on recipes or meal plans, and prepare to place an order.
Open ecosystem: Developers can also list their apps.
In addition to its official partners, OpenAI has also officially opened its doors to third-party developers. OpenAI has released relevant SDKs, UI libraries, and quickstart guides to encourage developers to create applications with a "native chat experience" and submit them to the catalog for review and approval.
Regarding monetization models, the current mechanism allows developers to drive users from ChatGPT to their own websites or apps for transactions or subscriptions. However, OpenAI also revealed that it will study internal revenue-sharing mechanisms in the future, meaning ChatGPT has the potential to develop into a massive economy similar to Apple's App Store.
Of course, the official statement also emphasizes that all listed apps must provide a clear privacy policy to ensure user data security.
Analysis: The "App Store Moment" in the Agent Era?
In my opinion, OpenAI's new "Application Catalog" is fundamentally different from its previous "GPT Store." The GPT Store primarily allows users to share customized Prompt bots, while the "Application Catalog" represents a true API-level connection.
This reflects CEO Sam Altman's long-term vision: to evolve AI from simply "generating content" into "agents" capable of performing tasks. When ChatGPT can help you buy airline tickets (Booking.com), order dinner (DoorDash), and organize company documents (Dropbox), it will no longer be just a search engine replacement, but a core gateway to controlling your digital life.
For developers, this is also a signal: future apps may no longer need complex graphical interfaces (GUIs). As long as the backend API is well written, and ChatGPT acts as your frontend interface (CUI), it may be the next source of traffic dividends.
