ChatGPT Voice Can Now Work With Connected Apps

ChatGPT is expanding the role of its voice feature by allowing it to work with connected applications. This means users can speak their requests instead of typing them when they want information from supported services such as Gmail and Slack.

The feature is designed to make connected apps more useful during voice conversations. Once an eligible service is connected, users can ask ChatGPT to look for permitted information and bring the relevant result into the conversation. Availability depends on the app, account, region and other settings.

For example, a user with an authorized Gmail connection can ask ChatGPT about relevant email information through a voice conversation. Similarly, supported Slack connections can be used to search messages, threads and channels that the user already has permission to access.

The feature is not limited to simply reading information. Some connected apps can support actions as well, although the exact capabilities depend on the individual service and the permissions granted to ChatGPT.

One important limitation remains around approval. If an action requires confirmation, Voice displays an approval request on the screen. Users need to use the on screen controls to approve or decline it. Simply saying yes through the microphone does not provide the required approval.

This means a voice conversation cannot necessarily complete every task from start to finish without the user looking at the device. For actions that require confirmation, the user must review the request and make the decision through the available screen controls.

Connected app permissions also continue to apply. ChatGPT does not receive unlimited access simply because an app has been connected. The information and actions available depend on the permissions granted when the service was authorized, as well as account and workspace restrictions.

Users can also review or disconnect connected accounts through ChatGPT settings. Disconnecting an account stops future access through that connection, although it does not automatically remove existing conversations or other separately stored information.

Gmail is one of the Google services that can be connected to ChatGPT. When a Google service is connected, ChatGPT can access information needed for supported requests according to the users Google account permissions and applicable workspace controls.

Slack provides another example of how the feature can be used. The ChatGPT Slack app can search conversations, threads and channels that the user is already authorized to access. Available actions depend on the Slack authorization, workspace settings and ChatGPT app permissions.

The voice capability also extends into ChatGPT Work for eligible users. OpenAI says Voice can be used with Work to interact with connected apps and work with documents, presentations and spreadsheets. Access to both Voice and Work is required for that experience.

This makes the feature particularly useful for situations where users want to ask questions while keeping their hands away from the keyboard. Instead of opening several services separately, they can speak a request and allow ChatGPT to retrieve information from connected sources where supported.

However, users still need to pay attention to permissions before connecting personal accounts. Connected services may contain emails, workplace conversations, documents and other private information, so users should review what access is being granted.

OpenAI also notes that connected app availability can vary according to the ChatGPT plan, region, interface, workspace settings and the particular service being used. A feature available to one account may therefore not necessarily appear for another account.

The expansion shows how ChatGPT voice is moving beyond a simple question and answer experience. With connected apps, a spoken request can potentially become a way to search information across services without manually switching between them.

At the same time, the approval system keeps certain actions under the users direct control. This distinction is important because reading information and making changes to an external account are not necessarily treated in the same way.

For users who already have supported apps connected to ChatGPT, the new voice capabilities could make everyday information searches more convenient. Before using the feature, however, checking the connected account, permissions and available actions remains important.