ChatGPT app demo of computer use and built-in browser for research and multi-app tasks

OpenAI announced updates to its Codex desktop app on Thursday that add computer-use capabilities and a built-in browser for research and multi-application tasks, the company said in a briefing with a reporter. The update allows Codex to operate desktop applications in the background without stealing focus and integrates aspects of OpenAI's Atlas browser to prototype websites and apps via a local server. OpenAI said the browser will later be extended to interact with the broader internet, take screenshots, and step through user flows. The company said over 100 plugins have been added, including integrations with Microsoft tools, Atlassian Rovo, CodeRabbit, Render, and Superpowers. A demo showed Codex checking Slack, Gmail, Google Calendar, and Notion in response to a single prompt. OpenAI is also testing enhanced memory features that learn user preferences and enable proactive suggestions, as well as expanded automations that can schedule tasks over days or weeks. Support for gpt-image-1.5 allows image asset creation within workflows. Developer features include fast frontend iteration, multiple terminal tabs, a file sidebar, GitHub pull-request review, a summary pane, and remote devbox SSH access. Computer use is limited to Mac at launch. The update is available to users with a signed-in ChatGPT account, with an EU rollout planned later. Personalization features will reach Enterprise, Edu, and EU users soon.