OpenAI Now Lets Developers Create Mini Apps Inside ChatGPT – extremetech.com
OpenAI has officially opened submissions for apps in ChatGPT, letting developers publish tools directly to the platform. App developers can now submit their apps for review using the new Apps SDK. If the apps get approved, they will be listed in a new directory. Users who want to use a particular app can find this directory through the tools menu or by using a direct web link. The system lets software perform tasks like ordering groceries or turning outlines into slides.
Users can start these apps by typing “@” during a chat or by selecting them from a menu. The “@” functionality creates a direct pathway for users to access specific tools without navigating away from their conversation. OpenAI is also testing ways to recommend helpful apps automatically based on what users are talking about. This recommendation engine uses context from ongoing conversations to surface relevant tools at the right moment, so let’s say you want to edit a photo, ChatGPT will suggest you use the Adobe Photoshop tool available on ChatGPT.
The launch comes at a time when major AI companies recognize the value of building ecosystems around their platforms. Anthropic has also introduced the Model Context Protocol (MCP), an open standard that connects AI assistants to systems like Slack or Google Drive.
OpenAI mentions that app submissions now include details on MCP connectivity, indicating that compatibility with open standards has become part of the approval process. This interoperability means apps built to MCP standards can work across multiple AI platforms and services, not just OpenAI’s ecosystem.
All in all, this essentially would turn ChatGPT into a conversational operating system. It connects conversations with AI to real-world actions. Developers can add specialized features, much as the App Store changed smartphones.
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