How ChatGPT Is Transforming Into The Ultimate App

The Next Evolution for AI Chatbots

OpenAI is beginning to position ChatGPT as more than just a chatbot; it's being framed as a foundational operating system. This strategic move is not only a savvy business tactic but also a logical step in the product's evolution. The new vision allows users to open the bot, call on a specific app, and perform tasks like asking Spotify to create a playlist or telling Expedia to find flights. This integration aims to streamline user experience by centralizing various functions within a single interface.

This Week's Top Tech and Culture Picks

Here is a curated list of interesting apps, content, and gadgets making waves this week:

• Apps in ChatGPT: As mentioned, OpenAI is integrating apps directly into ChatGPT, transforming it into a central hub for various online tasks. You can learn more about introducing apps in ChatGPT.

• Hidden Levels: Two popular podcasts, 99 Percent Invisible and Endless Thread, have collaborated on a six-part series exploring the real-world impacts of video game mechanics. Check out the Hidden Levels podcast.

• A Cartoonist’s Review of AI Art: The Oatmeal provides a thoughtful and poignant perspective on the current state of generative AI, questioning if AI-generated content can ever replicate the feeling of human-made art. Read the full AI art review.

• The Chair Company: From comedian Tim Robinson, this new show follows a man who stumbles into a world-bending conspiracy theory after a relatively normal event. Find out more about The Chair Company.

• How to Clean Your TV Screen: A quick five-minute video guide from Caleb Denison shows the proper way to clean your TV screen, helping you get rid of everything from dust to toddler fingerprints without damaging the display. Watch the guide on how to clean your TV screen.

• Subway Builder: For fans of simulation games like Mini Metro, this hyper-realistic game lets you build and manage a subway system using real-world data and detailed simulations. Try out Subway Builder.

• Battlefield 6: The latest installment in the series reportedly finds a balance between tight shooter gameplay and large multiplayer worlds, making the game feel more fun and less of a slog. Check out Battlefield 6.

• The Belkin Stage PowerGrip: This $80 accessory is an external battery and camera grip for the iPhone, designed to make one-handed landscape photography less awkward. See the Belkin Stage PowerGrip.

A Look Inside a Power User's Homescreen

Stephen Robles, known for his work with Riverside.fm and his Primary Technology podcast, shares a look at his highly organized iPhone homescreen and the apps he relies on daily.

• The Phone: iPhone 17 Pro Max.
• The Wallpaper: A dynamic setup that changes with Focus modes. The main wallpaper is September Gradients from Basic Apple Guy, while the weekend lockscreen features a NASA image of the Pillars of Creation.
• The Apps: His homescreen includes Maps, Wallet, Photos, Instagram, Perplexity, Home, Things, Reminders, YouTube, Slack, Bear, YouTube Studio, Safari, Threads, Messages, and Foodnoms.

Robles highlights Perplexity as his primary search tool and Bear as the best notes app. He uses both Reminders and Things for different aspects of task management. He also credits the app Foodnoms with helping him lose 30 pounds by making calorie and macro tracking simple.

Here are a few other things Stephen is currently enjoying:

• The work of Hank and John Green, particularly Hank’s commentary on Sora.
• Watching the movie Happy Gilmore and its sequel with his kids.
• The thought-provoking book Four Thousand Weeks.
• The new Skate game.

Recommendations From the Community

Here’s a selection of what the wider community is excited about this week:

• Jon recommends the NYC art-rock band The Dream Eaters, which he discovered through their unique short music videos.
• Roman has been enjoying the interview podcast First, Last, Everything, which features fascinating guests with a tech angle.
• Simon has dived into Nouveau Retro gaming by modding a PS Vita, describing it as a nerdy treasure trove of hacks and homebrew.
• Stephen is using Murena and Proton for a more private ecosystem but still prefers the suite of services offered by Nextcloud.
• Sara has found a clever use for NotebookLM by uploading product manuals, allowing her to simply ask questions to get the info she needs.
• Sophie points out that the demo for Skate Story, a visually stunning new game, has just been released.
• Matthias, after starting jump rope, bought the Powerbeats Pro 2 to have headphones that stay in during workouts.

Final Thoughts and What to Watch Next

For anyone who enjoys watching masters at their craft, the documentary Somm is a fantastic look at the intense world of Master Sommeliers. It’s a compelling story about passion, dedication, and the art of wine.

A new show that captures a similar spirit is Knife Edge: Chasing Michelin Stars on Apple TV Plus. It follows chefs as they strive to earn or keep their prestigious Michelin stars. With a melodramatic, high-stakes feel akin to Hell’s Kitchen meets Drive to Survive, it's an entertaining look at people who are exceptionally good at their jobs.