Manus releases desktop version of AI agent, capable of directly accessing local files and applications
Meta's Manus has launched the "My Computer" feature, allowing AI agents to perform tasks directly on users' devices, including organizing hard drive images and files, and collaborating with programming applications. It requires explicit user authorization before executing any tasks to mitigate security and privacy risks. The market views "My Computer" as a strategic competitor directly targeting OpenClaw
The AI startup Manus, acquired by Meta, launched a desktop application on Monday that deploys its AI agents directly to users' personal devices, marking a significant transformation of the product from a purely cloud-based model to localized operation.
The core feature released is called "My Computer," which allows Manus agents to directly read, analyze, and edit local files, as well as launch or control applications on the user's device. This capability positions Manus in more direct competition with OpenClaw, which has recently garnered widespread market attention.
The direct implications of this feature upgrade for users and the market are that Manus's AI agents are no longer limited to cloud and web interfaces but can deeply integrate into users' local workflows. At the same time, security and privacy concerns have arisen, and Manus stated it would manage this through an explicit user authorization mechanism.
From Cloud to Local: Core Features Significantly Expanded
Previously, Manus's general AI agents operated solely in the cloud, requiring users to access them via a web interface. The newly launched desktop application breaks this limitation, with the "My Computer" feature enabling agents to perform complex multi-step tasks directly on users' devices.
According to Manus, the specific capabilities of this feature include: organizing thousands of image files on the hard drive, collaborating with programming applications, and creating applications within minutes.
These localized capabilities will build upon existing features, which already include integration with Google Calendar, Gmail, and several third-party platforms.
Security and Privacy: Local Permissions Raise Industry Concerns
Experts point out that granting AI agents access to local device permissions poses potential security and privacy risks, a concern that has sparked widespread discussion in the industry following the rise of OpenClaw.
In response to these concerns, Manus stated that the "My Computer" feature requires explicit user authorization before executing any tasks and offers two authorization modes:
"Allow Once" is suitable for item-by-item confirmation, while "Always Allow" is for trusted repetitive operations. Manus claims this design aims to ensure users always maintain control.
Benchmarking OpenClaw: Competitive Landscape Becomes Clearer
Manus's extension to local devices is viewed as a strategic move directly targeting OpenClaw.
NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang referred to OpenClaw as "the next ChatGPT" during an interview on CNBC's "Mad Money."
Notably, OpenClaw's developer Peter Steinberger has joined OpenAI—one of Meta's main competitors in the AI field.
The two products exhibit significant differences in their business models: OpenClaw is free and open-source under the MIT license, while Manus primarily operates on a paid subscription model.
