OpenAI announced plans around the same period for its own unified macOS desktop “super app” combining ChatGPT, Codex, and the Atlas browser into a single interface. AdvertisementWhat Manus actually doesThe core selling point of the Manus desktop app is its “My Computer” feature, which facilitates local file organization and app automation without routing everything through cloud services. Meta acquired Manus in December 2025, and the desktop app arrived roughly three months later. The Manus acquisition accelerated what appears to have been an existing roadmap to move beyond browser-based interactions. Why local AI mattersThe distinction between cloud-dependent and locally-capable AI tools has real implications for adoption.