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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- OpenAI’s Atlast browser is right here for Mac customers, with Agent mode.
- Agent navigates websites, fills carts, and performs real-world activity.
- My fast procuring take a look at reveals plenty of potential – and small hurdles.
OpenAI has launched its new AI browser, Atlas, nevertheless it’s solely obtainable to Mac customers for now.
I watched the corporate’s demo this afternoon and instantly needed to attempt it, being a Mac person myself. The brand new browser combines what looks as if the perfect of ChatGPT with a full-featured internet interface. And, for Plus and Professional customers, it features a highly effective Agent mode that offers ChatGPT the flexibility to take over your browser, click on round, and carry out duties for you.
(Disclosure: Ziff Davis, ZDNET’s mother or father firm, filed an April 2025 lawsuit towards OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in coaching and working its AI programs.)
I wished to see how far this might go, so I put Agent to work on one thing I might usually do myself: ordering groceries and {hardware} provides from Walmart for same-day supply.
Attempting Atlas with Agent for errands
Throughout OpenAI’s demo, CEO Sam Altman and different executives confirmed off Agent mode by asking ChatGPT to learn a recipe, then order the substances for eight folks from Safeway through Instacart — all with out anybody having to click on a factor. It was spectacular.
However I stay in a rural space the place Instacart does not exist, and Walmart is without doubt one of the few native shops that delivers. I figured it might make the proper take a look at case for Atlas and Agent mode. To maintain issues easy, although, I made a decision to simply purchase just a few objects as an alternative of the 50-plus merchandise I often order throughout my weekly grocery deliveries.
After downloading Atlas, the setup course of requested me to import Chrome information, use Apple Keychain for passwords, and set it as my default browser. As soon as I accredited these and different permissions, the browser launched. The interface jogs my memory of a brand new Google Chrome tab — a easy white web page with a search field within the heart and a few solutions beneath. OpenAI stated these solutions will get higher over time based mostly on my looking habits and utilization information.
I toggled on Agent mode, chosen the choice to remain logged in so ChatGPT may work inside my signed-in accounts, and entered my first immediate:
“Order me wooden putty, paintable caulk, and 2-inch screws from Walmart.”
Agent instantly took over my Atlas tab — cursor and all — whereas I sat again and watched. That is the place I may in all probability go do different issues and examine again in a couple of minutes, however I wished to see what Agent would do.
The place issues bought bumpy
Straight away, Agent bumped into some hurdles. Walmart’s web site threw up a language-selection pop-up that appeared to dam Agent from navigating. Regardless of giving Atlas entry to my Chrome information and Keychain, I wasn’t logged into Walmart within the browser, so Agent additionally did not know my location or default retailer. With out that information, it could not inform which merchandise have been in inventory for supply.
I ended the session, signed into Walmart manually, reselected Agent mode, and refined my immediate:
“Order me 5 wooden putty, 5 paintable caulk, and one pack of 2-inch screws. I would like them delivered to my home from the Malone, NY, location in an hour.”
Agent began over, this time efficiently looking and including objects to the cart. However I seen it wasn’t selecting the manufacturers I often purchase — despite the fact that I might bought them earlier than. So I attempted one other refinement to my immediate:
“Order me 5 wooden putty, 5 paintable caulk, and one pack of 2-inch screws. I would like them delivered to my home from the Malone, NY, location in an hour. I’ve ordered these earlier than, so use my previous purchases to seek out the proper merchandise and types I exploit.”
This time, it labored.
Agent went to my buy historical past in Walmart, looked for the merchandise, discovered them in my previous orders, and loaded up my Walmart cart appropriately. When the checkout display appeared, I solely needed to choose a supply window, alter the tip, and make sure cost.
My order is now on its method.
What labored and what’s subsequent
Total, the expertise is half magic, half refining. After adjusting my immediate just a few instances and manually signing into Walmart, Agent mode understood the duty completely, interacted with Walmart’s on-line retailer, and bought me nearly all the way in which to checkout.
It struggled with pop-ups and my procuring preferences after I wasn’t signed in to Walmart and did not seek advice from my buy historical past with out me telling it to take action immediately. Nonetheless, for a first-day take a look at, and for being model 1.0, it is surprisingly succesful. I may’ve in all probability finished the order sooner myself, positive, however watching ChatGPT Agent really navigate a stay web site, click on by way of menus, and construct a procuring cart was undeniably cool. The entire expertise took me about 10 minutes. Not unhealthy, proper?
I can not wait to see what else I can do. I feel it may very well be superior to make use of across the holidays. For example, I am already planning to ask it to seek out the most popular toys for 4-year-olds on Amazon, filter by finest sellers and evaluations, follow a funds, and fill out my cart robotically. If it really works, it may save me hours of gift-hunting — or no less than encourage just a few nice current concepts.
It is early days, but when OpenAI retains updating Atlas and Agent mode, which it plans to do, they might simply turn out to be probably the most helpful AI instruments obtainable for on a regular basis customers.
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