"OpenAI’s new Apps SDK transforms ChatGPT into a multi-app platform — now you can call Spotify, Zillow, Canva, and more from right inside your chat."
What’s new: ChatGPT becomes more than a chatbot
At DevDay 2025 in San Francisco, OpenAI announced a bold expansion of what ChatGPT can do: it’s not just a conversational AI anymore — it’s becoming an app ecosystem. With the new Apps SDK, you can now launch and control third-party services like Spotify, Canva, Zillow, and more, all from within a ChatGPT conversation.
How it works: Speak and apps obey
Imagine asking ChatGPT:
“Spotify, put together a playlist for my Friday party”
or
“Show me homes on Zillow under $700,000”
ChatGPT will call the appropriate app in the background and return results without you having to leave the chat window. The first time you invoke an app, you’ll link your account and permit data sharing. After that, it becomes seamless — no extra steps, just conversation.
Which apps are available today?
OpenAI launched with a strong lineup of integration partners (for non–EU users): Booking.com, Canva, Coursera, Expedia, Figma, Spotify, and Zillow. These span design, music, travel, education, and real estate. More are on the way, including DoorDash, Uber, Target, Khan Academy, and others.
In his keynote, Sam Altman demoed a scenario where you sketch a UI flow, say “Figma, turn this into a diagram,” and the system generates it automatically.
Under the hood: The tech that powers it
The Apps SDK builds on something called the Model Context Protocol (MCP) — an open standard originally backed by Anthropic — which streamlines how AI models talk to external tools and services. That means developers can build both simple “cards” that pop into your chat or full-screen interactive experiences. It’s a modular approach that keeps things lightweight yet capable.
Why this matters: Convenience, context & scale
- Contextual assistance: ChatGPT can suggest apps when relevant — planning travel surfaces Expedia, design work triggers Figma, etc.
- Simplified workflows: You don’t have to switch windows or apps — everything stays in one conversational thread.
- Growth engine: With 800 million weekly users and millions of developers already onboard, the platform is ripe for expansion.
Comparison: Before vs. After Apps SDK
| Before (ChatGPT alone) | After (with Apps SDK) |
|---|---|
| Text-based responses only | Text + embedded apps and actions |
| You search apps manually | Apps emerge contextually within chat |
| Switch between tools | One unified conversational interface |
What to expect going forward
Later this year, developers can submit their apps for review, and OpenAI plans to launch a public directory and monetization capabilities (e.g. instant checkout). The aim? Make ChatGPT function a bit like an operating system — a nexus for app access, commands, and services.
FAQs
Will my privacy be safe?
Yes — for example, Spotify says it won’t share your music or podcast content with OpenAI for model training, even as it enables personalized recommendations. You always have to consent before account linking.
Can I use this in Europe?
Not immediately. The initial rollout excludes EU users, likely due to regulatory and data privacy concerns.
How many users and developers are active now?
OpenAI reports over 800 million weekly users, up from 500 million earlier in 2025. Around 4 million developers are building on the platform, and API usage is 6 billion tokens per minute.
Final thoughts
The Apps SDK marks a turning point. ChatGPT is evolving from a conversational assistant into a unified access layer for a universe of web services. If everything goes as planned, we’re looking at a future where the line between chatting and doing blurs — all powered by the words you type.
