OpenAI’s latest moves at DevDay mark a decisive push to turn ChatGPT from a conversational assistant into a full-fledged platform — one that runs third‑party “mini apps,” supports direct purchases via an embedded checkout flow, and offers developers an SDK and app directory to build inside the chat. The net result: ChatGPT can now host interactive experiences from Canva to Spotify, complete multi‑step workflows without leaving the interface, and let users buy physical goods through a new Instant Checkout powered by the Agentic Commerce Protocol. These changes reframe ChatGPT as more than a chatbot — it’s being positioned as an interface or mini operating system that bundles discovery, creation, and transactions in a single conversational layer.
OpenAI used its 2025 DevDay to unveil a suite of product expansions that together create a new ecosystem inside ChatGPT. The announcements include: a ChatGPT Apps SDK enabling developers to embed interactive apps (mini apps) inside conversations; an app directory and curated discovery system; an Instant Checkout capability that allows single‑item purchases inside chat; and an expanded set of developer tooling (AgentKit and Agent/Chat tools) intended to accelerate agentic workflows. Early app partners announced include Canva, Spotify, Figma, Zillow, Expedia, Coursera, and Booking.com, with additional partners such as Uber, DoorDash, Target and Shopify merchants expected to come online gradually.
OpenAI and Stripe jointly introduced the Agentic Commerce Protocol (ACP), an open standard that defines how AI agents, merchants, and payment processors communicate so that agent‑driven purchases are secure and merchant systems remain the source of truth for orders and fulfillment. Instant Checkout initially supports U.S. Etsy sellers and approved Shopify merchants, with multi‑item cart support and geographic expansion planned in future releases.
This package of features reframes ChatGPT as more than a query tool; it’s an extensible runtime where third‑party services can inject functionality directly into conversational turns. That shift has profound implications for users, developers, merchants and platform competition.
Key practical capabilities:
The ACP is being published as an open standard so other AI agents and platforms can implement compatible commerce flows — a key move that positions Instant Checkout as a potential cross‑platform commerce primitive rather than a closed, proprietary channel. Stripe and OpenAI’s documentation show how one REST call creates a checkout session and how tokenized payment credentials are used for secure authorization.
Platforms generate value through network effects: more users attract more developers, more apps increase user utility, and more commerce creates revenue opportunities. OpenAI’s scale — which OpenAI reports at “700+ million weekly users” and which other outlets have contextualized around 800 million figures — makes ChatGPT an attractive endpoint for developers and merchants looking for low‑friction discovery channels.
If that shift accelerates, it has consequences for search engines, ad models, app stores, and browser vendors. Platforms that can claim the conversational surface — whether OpenAI, Google, Microsoft, or others — will gain outsized influence over how users find and transact with services.
The upside is tangible: simplified workflows, new distribution channels for developers and merchants, and an experience that reduces friction between intent and outcome. The downside is equally real: increased data‑flow complexity, security and fraud vectors, potential platform lock‑in, and regulatory pushback in some markets.
For users, merchants and policymakers, the new ChatGPT era will demand active oversight — careful product design, rigorous permission models, robust fraud protections, and transparent moderation and ranking rules. For the industry, it will trigger a race to own the conversational layer that now looks increasingly like the operating surface of tomorrow’s digital experiences.
Source: Hindustan Times OpenAI embeds ‘Chat’ feature into ChatGPT to make it a mini OS unto itself
Background / Overview
OpenAI used its 2025 DevDay to unveil a suite of product expansions that together create a new ecosystem inside ChatGPT. The announcements include: a ChatGPT Apps SDK enabling developers to embed interactive apps (mini apps) inside conversations; an app directory and curated discovery system; an Instant Checkout capability that allows single‑item purchases inside chat; and an expanded set of developer tooling (AgentKit and Agent/Chat tools) intended to accelerate agentic workflows. Early app partners announced include Canva, Spotify, Figma, Zillow, Expedia, Coursera, and Booking.com, with additional partners such as Uber, DoorDash, Target and Shopify merchants expected to come online gradually. OpenAI and Stripe jointly introduced the Agentic Commerce Protocol (ACP), an open standard that defines how AI agents, merchants, and payment processors communicate so that agent‑driven purchases are secure and merchant systems remain the source of truth for orders and fulfillment. Instant Checkout initially supports U.S. Etsy sellers and approved Shopify merchants, with multi‑item cart support and geographic expansion planned in future releases.
This package of features reframes ChatGPT as more than a query tool; it’s an extensible runtime where third‑party services can inject functionality directly into conversational turns. That shift has profound implications for users, developers, merchants and platform competition.
What “Chat as a mini OS” actually means
The building blocks: apps, SDK, and the conversational runtime
OpenAI’s Apps SDK gives developers a way to implement interactive components that live inside a ChatGPT conversation. Rather than sending users to an external webpage or a separate app, these mini apps can respond in context, render interactive elements (maps, playlists, galleries), accept user inputs, and maintain conversational state across multiple steps. The SDK and app directory together recreate an app‑store experience inside ChatGPT’s UI.Key practical capabilities:
- In‑chat product discovery and display (lists, images, maps).
- Multistep workflows with preserved context (design a poster, then produce copy and a deck).
- App‑initiated interactive UI elements embedded directly in the chat thread.
- Connectors and permission prompts that allow users to link accounts and authorize limited data access.
Commerce inside chat: Instant Checkout and the Agentic Commerce Protocol
Instant Checkout is the commerce leg of the mini‑OS idea. When ChatGPT presents product results, items that have enabled Instant Checkout offer a “Buy” button. Once tapped users confirm shipping and payment details; the agent then passes a structured checkout session to the merchant over the ACP and the merchant handles fulfillment using its normal systems. Stripe helped design the ACP and is a central payments partner for the initial rollout. OpenAI emphasizes that merchants remain the merchant of record and that payments and fulfillment continue to flow through merchant systems.The ACP is being published as an open standard so other AI agents and platforms can implement compatible commerce flows — a key move that positions Instant Checkout as a potential cross‑platform commerce primitive rather than a closed, proprietary channel. Stripe and OpenAI’s documentation show how one REST call creates a checkout session and how tokenized payment credentials are used for secure authorization.
Why OpenAI is making ChatGPT an ecosystem
1) Ecosystem play and platform leverage
By enabling apps inside chat, OpenAI is building a platform that encourages developers to target ChatGPT as a runtime environment rather than (or in addition to) native mobile or web. That shifts the center of gravity: discovery and interaction happen where ChatGPT lives, and user workflows (research → design → purchase) can be completed without switching contexts.Platforms generate value through network effects: more users attract more developers, more apps increase user utility, and more commerce creates revenue opportunities. OpenAI’s scale — which OpenAI reports at “700+ million weekly users” and which other outlets have contextualized around 800 million figures — makes ChatGPT an attractive endpoint for developers and merchants looking for low‑friction discovery channels.
2) New monetisation vectors
Instant Checkout opens obvious transaction revenue: merchants will pay a small fee on completed purchases, and OpenAI can surface paid placements or commerce features later. The app directory and future monetization policies create additional channels: paid app listings, subscription revenue shares, or in‑chat purchases of digital goods and services. This transforms ChatGPT’s revenue model from primarily subscription and API usage into one that includes commerce take rates and platform fees.3) User stickiness and data advantage
If users can complete a chain of work (ideate → build → buy) inside ChatGPT, they will naturally spend more time in the environment and store more state there (history, linked accounts, payment methods). That increases lock‑in and makes ChatGPT the hub of personal productivity and commerce, reinforcing the platform’s ability to personalize and monetize experiences.Technical and product details worth knowing
App behavior and user controls
OpenAI has built permission prompts and connection flows so users explicitly authorize data sharing and account connections when they first use an app inside ChatGPT. Apps operate behind a review and submission process (developers will be able to apply and have apps reviewed before full directory listing). The SDK preview is available now and OpenAI plans to accept app submissions for broader review later in 2025.Checkout mechanics and merchant control
Instant Checkout uses tokenized payment credentials and a session update flow: ChatGPT creates a checkout session with cart contents and buyer context, the merchant returns an authoritative cart state and processes payments and fulfillment. The merchant remains the merchant of record and is responsible for returns, support, and compliance — a design intended to keep commerce control with sellers rather than centralizing it inside OpenAI. Developers and merchants can implement the ACP to expose products for agentic checkout.Geographic and regulatory boundaries
Some features are regionally restricted in early rollouts. Reports indicate Instant Checkout and some apps are initially U.S.‑centric, and availability in the EU and other regulated markets may lag due to stricter data and AI rules. OpenAI’s documentation and multiple news outlets flag that not all regions are yet supported. This phased regional deployment matters for both compliance and user expectation management.Competitive landscape — how Google, Microsoft, and others will respond
OpenAI’s strategy invites immediate comparison to rival approaches:- Google is integrating Gemini into Search and Workspace, pushing assistance deeper into existing product surfaces.
- Microsoft has been embedding Copilot into Windows and Office to make assistant actions native to productivity apps.
- Anthropic and other AI firms are building agentic experiences and focused integrations.
Benefits for users, developers and merchants
- For users: streamlined workflows, single‑place context, reduced friction to complete tasks, and quicker discovery.
- For developers: a new channel to reach ChatGPT’s large, engaged user base and an SDK to create UI‑rich, conversational apps.
- For merchants: an additional distribution vector with ACP designed to keep merchants in control of payments and fulfillment while reaching users in‑moment.
Important risks and unanswered questions
Data privacy and permissions model
Embedding third‑party apps inside the chat raises complicated data‑flow questions. Even with explicit permission prompts, apps may request or infer context that users did not fully anticipate. The combined environment — where conversational history, file uploads, connectors, and app state coexist — increases the surface area for accidental data leakage or overbroad access. OpenAI’s documentation highlights permission flows, but the exact granularity and auditability of those permissions will be critical and remains something to watch as apps proliferate.Security, fraud and payment risk
Agent‑driven checkout presents new attack vectors: manipulated checkout sessions, token replay, social engineering through conversational prompts, or compromised third‑party apps exposing payment tokens. Stripe and OpenAI designed ACP with tokenization and merchant authorization checks, but real‑world security depends on robust merchant implementations and continuous monitoring. Regulatory and fraud teams at merchants will need new controls to validate and reconcile agent‑initiated orders.Content moderation and trustworthiness
When apps can inject interactive elements and present product or service recommendations, the system must ensure results remain relevant and not manipulated. OpenAI has stated that product results will be “organic and unsponsored” and that Instant Checkout will not prioritize Instant Checkout‑enabled items, but enforcement at scale is nontrivial. The risk of biased rankings, covert promotions, or low‑quality sellers gaining visibility is real and will require ongoing audit, transparency, and perhaps independent oversight.Ecosystem lock‑in and competition impacts
If workflows increasingly depend on ChatGPT‑hosted apps, switching costs rise. Users who store payment methods, link accounts, or build project histories in ChatGPT may find it harder to migrate to alternatives. That could attract regulatory attention around platform dominance, app store behaviors, and interoperability — especially if app discovery and monetization decisions favor certain partners. Business Insider and other outlets flagged the potential for the new ChatGPT app directory to be seen as an app‑store competitor to Apple and Google.Regional and legal risks
The European Union, the UK, and other jurisdictions with strict privacy or AI laws may impose requirements that limit feature rollouts or force design adjustments (data localization, processor responsibilities, explainability, consumer protections). OpenAI will need to navigate these frameworks and may have to vary functionality by region. Early non‑availability in Europe for certain features has already been reported.Developer and merchant checklist: what to prepare now
- Evaluate whether to support ACP and Instant Checkout:
- Review the Agentic Commerce Protocol specs and determine integration effort.
- Design for explicit permissions and minimal data sharing:
- Limit requested scopes and document exactly how conversational context will be used.
- Harden payment and order acceptance flows:
- Ensure merchant systems validate agent‑initiated requests and token usage.
- Plan moderation and content integrity:
- Implement product quality signals and allow consumers to see provenance of recommendations.
- Monitor regional compliance:
- Be prepared to restrict participation or alter data handling for EU/UK markets.
Broader platform and market implications
The browser, the OS, and the new interface layer
ChatGPT’s push crystallizes an architectural debate: will the web/browser remain the default interface for discovery, or will conversational assistants become the primary interaction layer? Embedding apps and commerce inside ChatGPT suggests a future where the assistant acts as the aggregator and orchestrator of user intent, while the browser becomes a secondary or specialized tool.If that shift accelerates, it has consequences for search engines, ad models, app stores, and browser vendors. Platforms that can claim the conversational surface — whether OpenAI, Google, Microsoft, or others — will gain outsized influence over how users find and transact with services.
The arms race in “assistant ownership”
Expect a sprint to capture the conversational interface. Google will continue to surface Gemini inside Search and Workspace; Microsoft will intensify Copilot integrations across Windows and Office; and others will seek either open standards interop or exclusive experiences. The Agentic Commerce Protocol being open is a tactical move to invite cross‑platform adoption, but it also opens the door for competing assistants to adopt similar commerce specs and vying for the same app developer attention.Flagged claims and cautionary notes
- OpenAI’s long‑term plan to ship a consumer AI device in 2026 has been reported by multiple outlets and discussed publicly, but specific launch dates, product details and global availability are not final and remain subject to change. Readers should treat calendar estimates and design descriptions as tentative until OpenAI publishes firm product timelines.
- The exact scale of “weekly users” varies by reporting: OpenAI’s blog cites “700+ million” weekly users while other outlets have reported figures near 800 million; these audience estimates are large and directionally meaningful, but precise numbers can fluctuate by measurement methodology.
- Any claim that ChatGPT is now “an OS” should be read as a strategic framing rather than a literal replacement of Windows, macOS or mobile OSes. ChatGPT’s runtime can host apps in the conversational context, but it does not — today — replace device‑level services, drivers or offline OS capabilities.
Practical guidance for users and enterprises
- Treat app permissions seriously: only connect apps you trust and review the data scopes requested during first authorization.
- Keep payment methods and sensitive credentials under conscious control; prefer one‑time token authorizations and monitor bank statements for unexpected activity.
- For enterprises: evaluate governance around ChatGPT usage, set up policies for data handling, and consider whether to disallow certain connectors in regulated environments until compliance reviews are complete.
- For developers and merchants: start with lower‑risk integrations (product catalogs, read‑only features), validate user flows, and invest in telemetry and reconciliation to detect agent‑initiated order anomalies.
Conclusion
OpenAI’s new Chat feature, Apps SDK, and Instant Checkout amount to more than incremental product updates: they represent an intentional shift toward making ChatGPT an extensible, transaction‑enabled hub for digital life. The technical scaffolding — SDKs, AgentKit, ACP — shows careful design to keep merchants and developers in control, while packaging compelling user convenience: in‑chat design, multi‑step workflows, and single‑tap purchases.The upside is tangible: simplified workflows, new distribution channels for developers and merchants, and an experience that reduces friction between intent and outcome. The downside is equally real: increased data‑flow complexity, security and fraud vectors, potential platform lock‑in, and regulatory pushback in some markets.
For users, merchants and policymakers, the new ChatGPT era will demand active oversight — careful product design, rigorous permission models, robust fraud protections, and transparent moderation and ranking rules. For the industry, it will trigger a race to own the conversational layer that now looks increasingly like the operating surface of tomorrow’s digital experiences.
Source: Hindustan Times OpenAI embeds ‘Chat’ feature into ChatGPT to make it a mini OS unto itself