Are you tired of slow and clunky web browsers that make browsing the internet a frustrating experience?
Unfortunately, all the browsers we use today on a daily basis still use a conventional design and often fail to adapt to the changing dynamics of how people use the internet. We open our browsers today and we feel nothing. The Browser Company wants to change that and takes a different approach and offers the better internet experience that everyone deserves.
What Is the Arc Browser?
Arc is an internet browser released in 2022 by the Browser Company, a team of alums from Instagram, Google Chrome, Snap, Slack, Pinterest and more. The platform is currently invite-only, meaning those who want to use it must add their email address to a waiting list.
A web browser is like your home on the internet, it has each of your data regarding your professional life, personal life, side projects, news and media — everything is on the internet. That’s why Arc has different spaces for different things — much like different rooms within a home and users have complete control over how those spaces look.
What sets the Arc browser apart from other browsers on the market is its cutting-edge technology that allows for lightning-fast page loads and seamless navigation. The browser also features a built-in ad blocker that ensures users aren’t bombarded with unwanted ads and pop-ups while they browse, resulting in a cleaner and more enjoyable browsing experience.
What does the Arc Look Like?
Arc does not look the same as Chrome, Safari or really any other internet browser out there. The biggest difference is that all activity and navigation on Arc happen from a left sidebar instead of at the top.
This left sidebar is where you can find:
Spaces
Each space is like its own window, each with tabs and folders.
Today tabs
These are regular tabs that line up on the left sidebar. You can open as many as you want.
Pinned tabs
These tabs stay pinned on your sidebar for easier access. They stay open even when you close and re-open Arc.
Favourites
These are saved tabs that pin to the top of your sidebar. You can access them on every space and use keyboard shortcuts to open them.
Easels: These are blank canvases where you can drop images, text, arrows, links and more to visualize ideas. You can create more than one easel at a time.
Notes: These blank notepads allow you to type in plain text or use rich text formatting.
The left sidebar is also where you access the Arc Library. This Library keeps all of your projects and files — notes, easels, downloaded files, screenshots, etc. — in a single location.
What Are Some of Arc’s Top Features?
The Command Bar: The command bar is separate from your left panel, but it’s another place where you can perform actions. It’s also your go-to place to change settings. You can access it by hitting Command + T.
With the command bar, you can:
Search through tabs
Open a new tab
Clear all today’s tabs
Navigate to a previous page
Activate browser extensions
Open split view
Open up developer tools
Open the Arc Library
Send in a bug report or feedback
Split View
Open and view up to four panels at the same time within Arc. You can look at tabs, notes and easels side-by-side to simplify tasks and improve usability. The left sidebar remains visible when you use this feature, making it easy to open new tabs, pin tabs, find favourites and navigate elsewhere, no matter how many panels you’re looking at.
Screenshots
You don’t need an extension or other program to take screenshots on Arc — the browser has a built-in tool. You can also edit the screenshot (such as crop out a section) within Arc, meaning no unnecessary downloads that clutter your trash bin.
One interesting Arc feature is live screenshots. You create these images by clicking the camera icon on the URL bar and editing the snipped area. Once added to an easel, the screenshot updates as the website updates.
Keyboard Shortcuts
You can find a keyboard shortcut for anything in Arc — and all shortcuts are customizable. Because the browser is Mac-focused, the shortcuts align with Apple keyboards.
For example, you can use:
Command + S: Shows or hides the left sidebar.
Command+Tab: Lets you cycle through open tabs.
Command + Shift + C: Copies the page’s URL to your clipboard (while removing trackers in the URL).
Command + Option + N: Opens up Little Arc, a mini version of Arc for quick searches.
Right now, Arc is only available for Mac. But the Browser Company says it’s working on an Arc browser for Windows, along with mobile device versions.
How to Download Arc
You can’t download and start using Arc instantly. Because the platform is still in its early stages, those who want to sign up must add their email to a waiting list. Once a spot is ready, you’ll receive an email with a link to sign up.
To add yourself to the waiting list, go to the Arc homepage at arc.net. In the upper right-hand corner, click the button that says “Try it for yourself.”
From there, you’ll enter your email address, answer a question about your primary desktop OS (Mac, Windows or Linux) and hit submit.
Those who use a Mac computer are more likely to receive an invite before Windows users, as the Windows version of Arc is not yet available.
In conclusion, the Arc browser is a game-changer in the web browser industry. Its advanced features, customisation, keyboard shortcuts, fast speeds, and top-notch security make it a worthy competitor to traditional browsers like Safari, Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. Most of these browsers offer only a fraction of what Arc offers at this stage. But it still does not mean that the Arc browser is for everyone. You should always check other great browsers before choosing what is best for your productivity and workflow.
