Editorial illustration for Manus 2.0 Adds Event Triggers, Remote Computer Control From Phone
Manus 2.0 Adds Phone Control, Event Triggers
Manus is no longer just a chatbot that runs errands. With version 2.0, the Chinese AI agent startup is rebuilding its product into a platform, adding video editing, multiplayer game hosting, and the ability to run personal agents straight from a phone. The desktop app has been renamed Manus Studio, and it now ships with two new workspaces, Video Editor and Game Dev, where users can step in and adjust outputs by hand instead of leaving everything to the agent. Automations can also trigger on real events now, an email landing in an inbox, a message in Slack, rather than waiting on a schedule or a manual prompt.
The update lands at an awkward moment for the company. Meta agreed to acquire Manus in late 2025, only to have the deal blocked by Beijing and unwound soon after. Tencent has since moved in, reportedly negotiating for the largest stake in the startup.
Meta, meanwhile, is pushing ahead with its own competing agent, Muse, which offers every user a cloud computer of their own. Manus is answering with something similar, and with a new companion app called Cue that pushes the idea of an agent's independence even further.
Manus is turning its AI agent into a platform with version 2.0, letting users edit videos, host multiplayer games, and run personal agents with their own phone numbers.
Why this matters
Manus is betting that the winning agent product isn't the smartest model but the most useful surface, and the numbers back that thesis better than the feature list does. A 23.2 percent drop in token use and a 32 percent cost cut on the Cascade harness matter more to builders than multiplayer games or a Video Editor tab, because that's the kind of efficiency gain that decides whether running agents continuously is actually viable at scale. Event-triggered automations, firing off an incoming email or a Slack message, push Manus toward always-on infrastructure rather than a chat window you visit.
Computer Use, gated to approved files and apps, is the more interesting bet: real machine access from a phone is exactly the kind of permission model founders should be scrutinizing, not just adopting. For developers weighing which agent platform to build on, the cost curve here is the number to track quarter over quarter. If Manus keeps shaving token spend while adding capability, it's a signal the whole category is finally optimizing for deployment, not demos.
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Common Questions Answered
What new workspaces are included in Manus Studio with version 2.0?
Manus Studio now includes two new workspaces: Video Editor and Game Dev, which allow users to manually adjust AI-generated outputs instead of relying entirely on automated agent processes. These workspaces enable hands-on customization for video editing tasks and multiplayer game hosting functionality.
How does Manus 2.0 enable remote computer control from a phone?
Manus 2.0 allows users to run personal agents directly from their phone with their own phone numbers, providing remote access to computer control capabilities. This feature transforms Manus from a desktop-only chatbot into a mobile-accessible platform for managing automated tasks.
What efficiency improvements does Manus 2.0 deliver in terms of token usage and costs?
Manus 2.0 achieves a 23.2 percent reduction in token use and a 32 percent cost cut on the Cascade harness compared to previous versions. These efficiency gains are critical for determining whether running agents continuously at scale is economically viable for builders.
What are event triggers in Manus 2.0 and how do they function?
Event-triggered automations in Manus 2.0 allow users to set up automated workflows that fire off based on specific events or conditions. This feature enables more sophisticated and responsive agent behavior without requiring constant manual intervention.
How is Manus positioning itself differently from other AI agent products?
Manus is betting that the most successful AI agent product prioritizes the most useful interface and practical efficiency over raw model intelligence. The company believes that delivering cost-effective, scalable solutions with hands-on customization options matters more to users than advanced features alone.
Further Reading
- Manus 2.0 lets users edit videos, host multiplayer games, and run agents remotely from their phone - The Decoder
- Introducing Manus 2.0 - Manus Blog
- Manus launches AI agent platform as startup expands tools - Investing.com
- What is new in Manus 2.0? - Manus Help Center
- Manus 2.0 and Cue: What Manus Launched on Sept 28 - Cellcog
