OpenAI Launches ChatGPT Atlas Browser, Taking Direct Aim at Google Chrome

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OpenAI unveiled ChatGPT Atlas on Tuesday, its first AI-powered web browser, positioning it as a serious challenger to Google Chrome’s dominance. Built around the company’s flagship chatbot, Atlas integrates conversational search, task automation, and real-time web interaction into one platform — a move that could reshape how users navigate the internet.

With more than 800 million weekly ChatGPT users, OpenAI aims to extend its reach into everyday browsing, potentially capturing vast amounts of consumer interaction data and accelerating the shift from keyword searches to AI-driven query synthesis. The launch triggered market ripples, with Alphabet (GOOGL.O) shares falling 1.8% in afternoon trading.

Atlas introduces features such as a ChatGPT sidebar that summarizes articles, compares products, and extracts data directly from websites. A premium “agent mode” allows ChatGPT to autonomously complete online tasks, from trip planning to shopping. In a live demo, the AI browsed for a recipe, then purchased all listed ingredients via Instacart, demonstrating what OpenAI calls “autonomous digital agency.”

The browser debuted on Apple’s macOS, with Windows, iOS, and Android versions coming soon. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said the launch represents the company’s broader mission to “reimagine how people interact with information and the web.”

The move intensifies OpenAI’s rivalry with Google, which has been embedding its Gemini AI model into Chrome and search results. Google Chrome still commands 71.9% of the global browser market, according to StatCounter, but analysts say Atlas could erode that lead — especially if OpenAI enters the digital advertising space.

“Integrating chat into a browser is a precursor for OpenAI to start selling ads,” said Gil Luria, analyst at D.A. Davidson. “If it does, it could take a meaningful share of search advertising from Google, which currently holds about 90% of that market.”

The launch of Atlas marks a new phase in OpenAI’s challenge to Big Tech dominance, potentially transforming how people browse, search, and transact online — and redefining the balance of power in the AI era.

Mattel and Hasbro Miss Holiday Window for “KPop Demon Hunters” Toys Despite Huge Netflix Success

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Fans eager to buy “KPop Demon Hunters” toys this holiday season will have to wait until next year, as Mattel (MAT.O) and Hasbro (HAS.O) will not ship most licensed products until January, missing the crucial shopping period. The two toymakers recently struck licensing deals with Netflix (NFLX.O) to produce dolls, games, and collectibles based on the hit animated film, which has become the streamer’s most-watched movie ever.

According to sources cited by Reuters, the companies underestimated the film’s crossover appeal among K-pop, anime, and casual audiences before its June release, delaying their licensing commitments. Typically, toymakers plan 12–18 months in advance to design, manufacture, and distribute merchandise before the holiday season, which generates roughly one-third of annual sales.

Netflix said the toys — including Mattel’s three-doll set and Hasbro’s Monopoly card game — will be available for pre-order soon but won’t arrive until early 2025. Funko (FNKO.O) will also release collectible figurines inspired by the movie’s characters, shipping by January 30, according to its website.

Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz told Reuters the company is “fast-tracking development given the strong demand,” while Hasbro’s Tim Kilpin said such breakout hits are rare and exciting, noting that “new properties like this can surprise the market.”

Released in June, “KPop Demon Hunters” quickly became a global phenomenon, with its soundtrack single “Golden” topping Billboard’s Hot 100 and a theatrical sing-along release selling out in over 1,300 cinemas. The film’s success highlights Netflix’s growing push into merchandise licensing, a strategy long dominated by Disney and Warner Bros Discovery.

Industry experts said the missed opportunity stings at a time when toy companies face rising tariffs, high production costs, and competition from digital entertainment. Still, the hype surrounding “KPop Demon Hunters” could extend well into 2025 — potentially turning next year’s release of toys and collectibles into one of the industry’s biggest events.

Anthropic, Google Discuss Cloud Deal Worth Tens of Billions, Bloomberg Reports

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Anthropic, the AI startup behind the Claude chatbot, is in advanced discussions with Google (GOOGL.O) over a massive cloud computing deal valued in the high tens of billions of dollars, according to Bloomberg News, citing people familiar with the talks. The agreement, which is not yet finalized, would see Google provide cloud infrastructure and computing power to support Anthropic’s fast-growing AI operations.

The potential deal underscores the increasing cost and scale of AI development, as companies like Anthropic, OpenAI, and Microsoft-backed Mistral race to secure computing resources needed to train and deploy large language models.

Alphabet shares rose 2.3% after hours following the report, reflecting investor optimism over Google Cloud’s role as a major infrastructure provider for next-generation AI systems. Google declined to comment, while Anthropic did not immediately respond to requests for clarification.

Anthropic, which counts Google and Amazon (AMZN.O) among its biggest investors, has seen rapid adoption of its enterprise AI products and is reportedly on track to reach a $9 billion annual revenue run rate by the end of 2025, nearly tripling its current pace, according to a Reuters report last week.

The collaboration could deepen Google’s long-standing relationship with Anthropic, which already relies heavily on Google Cloud for model training. If completed, the deal would be among the largest cloud infrastructure partnerships ever in the AI sector, solidifying both firms’ positions in the escalating competition against OpenAI and Microsoft.