The Browser Company has officially entered maintenance mode for its Arc browser, ceasing active development as it shifts focus to a new project called Dia. While Arc is not shutting down, the team will no longer be introducing new features, although they will continue to provide regular updates for bug fixes and security vulnerabilities. In a recent blog post, CEO Josh Miller acknowledged that Arc fell short of expectations, stating that for many users, the browser was “too different, with too many new things to learn, for too little reward.” He also mentioned that Arc lacked cohesion in its features and core values, which contributed to its challenges.
As the company pivots to the new browser Dia, Miller expressed hope that this initiative would allow them to address the shortcomings experienced with Arc. Dia centers around artificial intelligence and aims to provide a more cohesive user experience. Currently in alpha testing, there are plans for an eventual expansion of access to existing Arc members. Looking forward, Miller briefly discussed Arc’s potential future.
The company had contemplated options like selling the software or making it open source. While the latter could appeal to users, it presents challenges due to Arc’s reliance on an internal SDK that Dia also uses. These considerations led the company to put those options on hold for the time being, though they remain open to revisiting them in the future. The decision to transition from Arc to Dia marks a significant shift for The Browser Company, reflecting their commitment to evolving user needs in the ever-changing landscape of web browsing.
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