AI Gets a Phone and a Wallet | Inside Manus 2.0 "Cue"
機械翻訳 / Machine-translated
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機械翻訳 / Machine-translated
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"Call this restaurant to make a reservation, and if you get a table, go ahead and pay the deposit too." The day when you can give an AI that kind of instruction may come sooner than you think. The new app "Cue," released by Manus, takes a bold step by giving AI agents their own phone numbers and wallets. In this article, we explain in detail what it can do and how much you can trust it.
On September 28, 2026 (US time), Manus, a company headquartered in Singapore, announced "Manus 2.0."
Manus is an autonomous AI agent (an AI that carries tasks through to completion on your behalf) that searches the web, reads documents, and creates files entirely on its own.
This update is built around three main pillars:
Additional features include "Cloud Computer," which lets you rent a dedicated machine in the cloud; "Remote Control," which lets you control your PC by voice from your smartphone; and "Automations," which triggers tasks based on notifications from email or Slack.
Of all these, Cue has attracted the most attention. The idea of giving each AI agent its own dedicated phone number, email address, budget-loaded wallet, and computer sets it apart from AI assistants we've seen before.
According to the official blog, each Cue agent has its own "identity."
Each agent is assigned a dedicated phone number and email address.
This means the agent can contact restaurants and other parties in its own name. You never need to share your personal number with anyone.
The agent can also answer incoming calls on your behalf and leave a summary in Cue.
However, phone numbers are available in select countries only, and in some regions only voice calls are supported.
Users set a spending limit, and the agent can make payments within that budget.
Official examples include ordering food by scanning a restaurant's QR code and holding a place in a queue.
Details such as which payment services are used and whether each transaction requires individual approval have not been disclosed at the time of announcement.
Each agent has its own cloud-based computer and continues working even after you close the app.
You can also add multiple agents to a single group chat and have them divide up work toward a shared goal — one to research, one to make reservations, one to compile everything.
The design is said to keep final decisions in the user's hands.
Manus has rebuilt the foundation that drives its task execution with a new system called "Cascade."
According to the official announcement, tests under a specific configuration showed a 23.2% reduction in token usage (the unit of text AI processes), a 28.2% reduction in task time, and a 32% reduction in cost.
However, this is explicitly stated as a result from "one specific configuration." It is not a third-party benchmark, so real-world results will vary depending on how you use it.
Manus Studio is a desktop app that handles documents, spreadsheets, PDFs, slideshows, websites, and code all in one place.
An added "Video Editor" feature lets you edit short 30–60 second product videos on a timeline, with an "Alchemy" mode that lets the AI handle the direction.
"Game Dev" lets you build playable games from templates. For multiplayer games, Cloud Computer can serve as the server.
Supported platforms include web, desktop apps for macOS and Windows, and mobile apps for iOS and Android. The iOS version of Cue is said to be pending App Store review.
You might be wondering, "What's the point of giving AI a phone and a wallet?" Here are some concrete situations to consider.
Imagine it's Friday night and you suddenly realize you haven't arranged anything for your child's birthday party.
You tell Cue: "Find a restaurant that can seat 8 people for lunch on Saturday, and make a reservation. Budget is up to 3,000 yen per person."
The agent searches for candidates, calls or emails the restaurants using its own number, and confirms availability. Once a reservation is made, you receive just a brief summary. You can focus on putting the kids to bed.
For a solo online shop owner, phone calls coming in while you're working can be a real headache.
Give an agent its own phone number to act as your front desk, and it can answer calls and summarize what callers needed.
For simple questions like "Is this item in stock?", the agent can check with an inventory-focused agent in a group chat and respond by email — all without you lifting a finger.
You're on a business trip and want to eat at a popular ramen spot, but your meeting is running long.
The agent registers your place in line via the restaurant's QR code and alerts you when your turn is approaching.
If it pre-orders your food and handles payment, the meal is ready the moment you arrive. It's a small time-saver, but those add up.
Competition in the AI agent space has intensified sharply in 2026. Here's how the major services compare.
| Service | Strengths | How It Differs from Cue |
|---|---|---|
| Manus Cue | Handles real-world tasks via phone, email, and payment | The agent itself holds the contact info and wallet |
| ChatGPT Agent (OpenAI) | Research, reservations, and shopping via browser control | Typically operates using the user's own accounts |
| Meta Muse-type agents | Everyday assistance integrated with SNS and messaging | Primarily used within Meta's own apps |
| Genspark | Research reports, phone call delegation | Focused on one-off task requests |
The biggest difference is that Cue agents act not as "your proxy" but as an "independent point of contact."
ChatGPT Agent and similar tools essentially borrow your browser or account to operate. Cue agents, by contrast, act using their own number, address, and wallet.
Think of it as handing your personal assistant their own business card and expense card. The convenience is significant — but so is the potential damage if the assistant makes a mistake.
When AI can spend money, mistakes become real financial losses.
One major concern is prompt injection — hiding malicious instructions in a web page to trick the AI into making unauthorized payments.
Yaniv Balmas, a researcher at security firm Salt Labs, has warned that relying solely on guardrails (AI safety mechanisms) is insufficient, and that multiple layers of defense should be built in.
Cue does let you set a spending cap, but the per-transaction approval process has not been publicly detailed. If you use this feature, set the limit low.
There have also been major developments on the business side.
In December 2025, Meta announced plans to acquire Manus for approximately $2 billion (around ¥300 billion). However, Chinese authorities objected on national security grounds, and the deal fell through.
Manus subsequently relaunched as an independent company, and reports indicate it is pursuing a $500 million fundraise at a $4 billion valuation.
Manus 2.0 can be seen as its bold opening move after going independent.
Manus itself is available in Japanese, so Studio's document creation features and Automations are accessible to users in Japan.
However, the phone number feature — Cue's flagship capability — is available in select countries only. Whether Japan is included has not been announced.
Phone reservations remain deeply embedded in Japanese restaurant culture. If Japanese phone numbers are supported, demand for reservation assistance could be substantial.
That said, questions of etiquette will also arise in Japan — for instance, how restaurant staff should respond to calls from AI. Rules may be needed, such as requiring AI callers to identify themselves as AI at the start of the call.
For businesses, it's essential to establish internal policies before delegating external communications or payments to AI. Decide in advance who is accountable and what spending limits apply.
Also worth noting: in August, Manus deleted some data in connection with its separation from Meta. If you're storing business data with Manus, making regular backups is a wise habit.
It is free during the early access period. However, an invitation code is required. The official blog has shared the first-come, first-served code "MEETCUE." Pricing for the full release has not yet been announced.
At this time, phone numbers are available in select countries only, and it has not been announced whether Japan is included. Other features like email and cloud computer may still be accessible from Japan.
Users set a spending cap, and the agent can only make payments within that limit. However, the detailed approval rules have not been disclosed, so it is recommended to start with a small cap.
No. Manus 2.0 is an update to the existing Manus and remains accessible via web, desktop, and mobile. Cue is provided as a separate additional app.
Cloud Computer requires a separate purchase, but specific pricing had not been published at the time of the announcement.
Start by trying Manus 2.0's Studio or Automations features for everyday document creation or routine tasks, and go from there.
This article is a cross-post from AI Friends.
