OpenAI discontinues Atlas browser, but integrates its features into ChatGPT app
OpenAI announced the end of its Atlas browser, but its core capabilities have been integrated into the updated ChatGPT desktop app and Chrome extension, indicating a strategic shift rather than a retreat from the browser market.
OpenAI has announced that its Atlas browser will be deprecated as of August 9, but this does not mean the company is giving up on the browsing space. Instead, Atlas's features have been integrated into the new ChatGPT desktop app, which combines chat, the Codex coding agent, and a built-in browser. Users can access the browser via a shortcut in the top-right corner of the interface or by pressing Ctrl, Alt, and B simultaneously.
Additionally, OpenAI has updated its Chrome extension, which now competes directly with Google's Gemini. After granting permission, the extension can read page content and answer questions about it. The new ChatGPT app also includes a feature called "Sites," which allows users to create web apps for personal use, such as live dashboards or project trackers.
While some media and social media users declared Atlas "dead," OpenAI representatives emphasize this is a strategic move. Company employee James Sun noted that all new features are built on learnings from Atlas users. Thus, the discontinuation of Atlas is not a failure but part of a broader plan to create a "super app," first discussed in March.
