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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 activity.
- My fast purchasing check reveals a number of potential – and small hurdles.
OpenAI has launched its new AI browser, Atlas, but it surely’s solely out there to Mac customers for now.
I watched the corporate’s demo this afternoon and instantly needed to attempt it, being a Mac consumer myself. The brand new browser combines what looks like 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 power 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 in opposition to OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in coaching and working its AI methods.)
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I needed 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.
Making an attempt 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 elements for eight folks from Safeway by way of 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 could make the proper check case for Atlas and Agent mode. To maintain issues easy, although, I made a decision to simply purchase just a few gadgets as an alternative of the 50-plus merchandise I often order throughout my weekly grocery deliveries.
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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 authorised 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 solutions under. OpenAI mentioned these solutions will get higher over time based mostly on my shopping habits and utilization knowledge.
I toggled on Agent mode, chosen the choice to remain logged in so ChatGPT might 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 might most likely go do different issues and examine again in a couple of minutes, however I needed to see what Agent would do.
The place issues bought 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 had been in inventory for supply.
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I finished 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 gadgets to the cart. However I seen it wasn’t selecting the manufacturers I often purchase — regardless 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 search out the precise 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 accurately. When the checkout display appeared, I solely needed to choose a supply window, regulate the tip, and ensure fee.
My order is now on its means.
What labored and what’s subsequent
General, the expertise is half magic, half refining. After adjusting my immediate just a few occasions 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 purchasing preferences after I wasn’t signed in to Walmart and did not check with my buy historical past with out me telling it to take action instantly. Nonetheless, for a first-day check, and for being model 1.0, it is surprisingly succesful. I might’ve most likely carried out the order quicker myself, positive, however watching ChatGPT Agent truly navigate a reside web site, click on by way 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 can not wait to see what else I can do. I believe it might be superior to make use of across the holidays. For example, I am already planning to ask it to search out the most popular toys for 4-year-olds on Amazon, filter by finest sellers and opinions, stick with a funds, and fill out my cart routinely. If it really works, it might save me hours of gift-hunting — or at the least 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 may simply change into one of many most helpful AI instruments out there for on a regular basis customers.
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