OpenAI has recently launched a new "App Directory" in ChatGPT, where users can browse the various tools currently available. At the same time, the company has officially opened its SDK to developers for building interactive experiences within the ChatGPT interface.OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has said earlier that the company plans to "build into this platform over time all the obvious features that you would expect from a mature platform." The launch of the app store is seen as a key step towards this goal.
This update also completely renamed and integrated the previous "connector" system. OpenAI now refers to these data pulling tools that connect to external services as "applications". The chat connector that previously helped users search for files from services such as Google Drive and Dropbox is now called an "application with file search capabilities." The deep research connector, used for in-depth retrieval and analysis of data, has become an "application with deep research capabilities." The sync connector, which is responsible for synchronizing information across services, has been renamed an "application with synchronization capabilities." The official support page also points out that if the user turns on the Memory function, the application can call the information therein; for users of the free, Plus, Go and Pro versions of ChatGPT, if the "Improve model for everyone" option is enabled, OpenAI may use the corresponding usage data for model training.
In addition to basic file and data tools, more interactive third-party service applications are also gradually expanding. As early as October, services such as Spotify and Zillow launched applications within ChatGPT, and now Spotify in ChatGPT has expanded to the UK, Switzerland and the entire EU market. The newly added Apple Music application can help all users discover music, create playlists, and manage libraries for paying subscribers in the conversation window; while the application of the takeout and delivery platform DoorDash can directly convert the recipe inspiration, weekly meal planning and daily purchasing needs generated by users in the chat into a shopping cart that can be placed, all within the ChatGPT interface.
In terms of business model, OpenAI has not yet given a clear answer on how this app store will actually drive its AI business towards sustainable profitability. The company only stated in the announcement that it is "exploring more monetization methods, including digital goods, etc." and will continue to learn and adjust based on the actual usage of developers and users on the platform, and will announce more details in the future. It is generally believed that with the expansion of the application ecosystem, ChatGPT is evolving from a single chat robot to a "jack of all trades" platform that integrates multiple services such as music, takeout, document processing, and information retrieval. The arrival of the app store is an important symbol of this strategic transformation.