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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- OpenAI’s Atlas browser is right here for Mac customers, with Agent mode.
- Agent navigates websites, fills carts, and performs real-world job.
- My fast purchasing take a look at exhibits loads of potential – and small hurdles.
OpenAI has launched its new AI browser, Atlas, however it’s solely out there to Mac customers for now.
I watched the corporate’s demo this afternoon and instantly needed to strive it, being a Mac person myself. The brand new browser combines what looks like one of the best of ChatGPT with a full-featured internet interface. And, for Plus and Professional customers, it features a highly effective Agent mode that provides 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 methods.)
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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 individuals from Safeway through Instacart — all with out anybody having to click on a factor. It was spectacular.
However I reside in a rural space the place Instacart does not exist, and Walmart is among 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 a number of objects as a substitute of the 50-plus merchandise I normally order throughout my weekly grocery deliveries.
Additionally: ChatGPT can purchase stuff for you now – without end altering on-line purchasing
After downloading Atlas, the setup course of requested me to import Chrome knowledge, use Apple Keychain for passwords, and set it as my default browser. As soon as I authorized 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 middle and a few ideas beneath. OpenAI stated these ideas will get higher over time primarily based on my looking habits and utilization knowledge.
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 most likely go do different issues and test again in a couple of minutes, however I wished to see what Agent would do.
The place issues acquired bumpy
Instantly, Agent bumped into some hurdles. Walmart’s website threw up a language-selection pop-up that appeared to dam Agent from navigating. Regardless of giving Atlas entry to my Chrome knowledge 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.
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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 out and including objects to the cart. However I observed it wasn’t selecting the manufacturers I normally 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 best merchandise and types I take advantage of.”
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 accurately. When the checkout display appeared, I solely needed to choose a supply window, regulate the tip, and ensure cost.
My order is now on its manner.
What labored and what’s subsequent
General, the expertise is half magic, half refining. After adjusting my immediate a number of occasions and manually signing into Walmart, Agent mode understood the duty completely, interacted with Walmart’s on-line retailer, and acquired me nearly all the way in which to checkout.
It struggled with pop-ups and my purchasing preferences once I wasn’t signed in to Walmart and did not discuss with my buy historical past with out me telling it to take action instantly. Nonetheless, for a first-day take a look at, and for being model 1.0, it is surprisingly succesful. I may’ve most likely achieved the order quicker myself, positive, however watching ChatGPT Agent really navigate a reside web site, click on by means of menus, and construct a purchasing cart was undeniably cool. The entire expertise took me about 10 minutes. Not unhealthy, proper?
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I am unable to wait to see what else I can do. I feel it might be superior to make use of across the holidays. As an illustration, I am already planning to ask it to seek out the most well liked toys for 4-year-olds on Amazon, filter by finest sellers and evaluations, stick with a price range, and fill out my cart robotically. If it really works, it may save me hours of gift-hunting — or at the least encourage a number of nice current concepts.
It is early days, but when OpenAI retains updating Atlas and Agent mode, which it plans to do, they may simply turn out to be some of the helpful AI instruments out there for on a regular basis customers.
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