ChatGPT just got a serious upgrade. With the launch of its new App Directory, OpenAI is turning the chatbot into something closer to a true digital assistant one that doesn’t just answer questions, but actually gets things done.
App Directory replaces old connectors with real functionality
Gone are the days of clunky “connectors” hidden behind layers of menus. The new App Directory offers a streamlined way to plug ChatGPT into popular services like Gmail, Google Drive, Canva, Apple Music, and even Photoshop. You’ll find the menu right in the top left corner of the ChatGPT interface under “Apps” or you can trigger integrations on the fly by using @mentions in your prompts.
This shift marks a fundamental change. ChatGPT isn’t just summarizing an email or suggesting a playlist anymore. It can:
- Edit Canva designs directly
- Create or modify documents in Google Drive
- Search emails in Gmail
- Auto-generate playlists in Apple Music
- Interact with files instead of just commenting on them
The result is a more action-oriented tool, especially for people juggling productivity across multiple platforms.
More control for businesses, more power for users
For enterprise users, OpenAI has introduced new security and permission settings. Admins can decide which apps are accessible and what each one is allowed to do. Importantly, OpenAI says data in business environments won’t be used to train ChatGPT, which may help ease some privacy concerns.
That said, not everyone’s convinced. Some early users have called out the inconsistent polish across apps, with a few integrations feeling half-baked or glitchy. And while the potential is clear, some critics wonder if ChatGPT is becoming too complex for casual users who preferred its simpler form.
A bold step toward full assistant capabilities
Still, the direction is obvious. ChatGPT is no longer just a conversational AI, it’s positioning itself as a cross-platform productivity engine. The App Directory is a major step toward transforming how users interact with software not by opening new tabs, but by typing a single, smart command.
Whether you’re building a design in Canva, pulling files from Google Drive, or automating routine tasks, ChatGPT now has hands-on control. It’s not just giving answers anymore. It’s pushing buttons.
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