According to Tom’s Guide, OpenAI has officially launched its ChatGPT app store, which is currently in Beta testing. This new platform allows users to browse and connect apps directly within the ChatGPT interface, then activate them by simply @-mentioning them in a query, like “@Spotify, make a 90’s rock playlist”. The store already features major services including Spotify, Expedia, Canva, Zillow, Figma, Coursera, and AllTrails, among others like Photoshop, Instacart, and Gmail. OpenAI is now accepting submissions from developers, mirroring the model of the Apple App Store or Google Play. This move formalizes and expands the app integration feature that was previously more limited, making it far easier for users to access these tools without leaving the chat.
How the store actually works
Here’s the thing: this isn’t just a fancy directory. It fundamentally changes how you interact with these services. Before, you had to know the exact right phrasing to trigger an integration. Now, you connect the app once in the store, and then it’s just part of your chat vocabulary. You start a query with “@AppName” and make your request in plain English. The AI acts as your ultra-smart middleman, translating your vague human desires—”a hotel that feels fancy”—into the specific search parameters the app needs. It’s a layer of abstraction that removes friction. But it also means you’re trusting ChatGPT‘s interpretation of your request, which, as the testing showed with Zillow, can sometimes go off the rails. A quick conversational nudge usually fixes it, but it’s a trade-off: convenience for absolute precision.
The standout apps and why they matter
So which integrations are genuinely useful and not just gimmicks? The Spotify one is a killer app for playlist creation, basically turning you into a music curator without the work. AllTrails and Expedia show the power of conversational refinement—you can start broad and narrow down in a natural back-and-forth, which is way better than clicking through a dozen filter menus. The Canva and Figma integrations are sneaky-powerful. They democratize design by letting you describe what you want and getting a solid first draft in seconds. That’s a huge time-saver. And the Coursera one? It feels like having a personal tutor who can instantly pull up a relevant lecture on, say, the history of Algebra. That’s kind of wild.
The bigger picture and some skepticism
Now, let’s zoom out. OpenAI isn’t just building a better chatbot; it’s building an ecosystem. An app store turns ChatGPT from a tool into a platform—a destination. This is a classic, powerful tech play. They provide the audience (ChatGPT’s massive user base), and developers provide the utilities that keep people locked in. But I’ve got questions. How will discovery work when there are thousands of apps? Will there be paid apps or subscriptions that OpenAI takes a cut from? Probably. And what about data privacy? When you use “@Gmail” or “@Expedia,” you’re funneling your requests through OpenAI’s system. That’s a lot of sensitive intent and personal data flowing through a new pipe. It’s incredibly convenient, sure. But as always, if you’re not paying for the product, you are the product. This app store solidifies that reality.
