Arc is a new playful and feature-rich browser from The Browser Company. They recently launched a version and I am here to give it a try.
First, let me tell you about my relationship with Chrome. I was a Firefox user when Google released Chrome. I installed it on the very first day. I started blogging about it soon after that.
Chrome has been my primary browser from day one.
As part of the Chrome Story journey here, I’m always on the bleeding edge of Chrome, using Chrome Canary as my daily driver. I keep a close eye on Chrome and its features digging through Chromium code and newly launched experimental flags.
Now, Arc.
I want to use this like a live blog of me installing, setting up and experiencing Arc for the first time.
Installing Arc
To get started, I go to https://arc.net/download and download the latest version of Arc browser.
Colors on this website remind me of Firefox.
Ready to let go of the old internet? it asks. I feel it a bit too much. Is that too tall a claim? We’ll see.
I download the installer file, double-click and the setup begins.
When the download is complete, another version of the tall offer is on the screen. If you haven’t noticed already, I am skeptical about this “old” and “new” internet offer.
Now Arc wants me to create an account. At this point, this feels like I am singing up for a service, not a software product.
I provide my name, email and choose a password to create an account.
Now, Arc asks me if I want to import my passwords from an existing browser. I would like that, yes.
I repeat the process for my bookmarks.
Now, Arc wants to know if I am ready to make it the default browser on this computer. Not yet, Arc. Ask me again after a while.
There is something called an Arc Card. I have no idea what that is (gamifying the browser, maybe?).
And with that, I am finally inside the Arc browser for the first time. It presents me with a blank tab and two folders with helpful content on the sidebar.
Using Arc for the First Time
The toolbar is clean. The Arc logo on the left opens the menu. The sidebar icon lets me close or open the sidebar.
I am trying to like the sidebar. Nothing specific against Arc, I am not a sidebar fan in general.
I closed all my tabs, but the first tab I opened remains open. I do not see an option to remove this and go back to the blank new tab page.
I press CTRL + T like I do on Chrome, epecting a blank new tab page. I get a popup address/search bar instead (I’m not complaining, but merely comparing the experience here.)
Okay, I should read/watch some help content before I go any further. I start with articles bookmarked by default.
I read about pinned tabs, (which are similar to bookmarks?) and spaces (profiles?) and split view. Next, a browse through a list of frequently used keyboard shortcuts.
What I want to learn next is things only Arc can do, or what Arc does differently.
What Arc Does Differently
I noticed that Arc installs an adblocker extension by default. This improves the perceived browsing speed.
I remember switching from Firefox to Chrome. It felt familiar. I remember trying out Edge. That too, looked and felt familar. Arc, however, does not feel that way. I am still trying to find my way around.
Is it a good thing?
Well, it is defnitely not a bad thing. If you come looking for a new “browser”, with the same set of UX and UI paradigms, you’ll be disappointed. If you come with an open mind, looking for a new “app” you will fid this a fun experience.
Notes
Okay, notes. That’s a weird title for a summary. Why did I choose that? This is a not a summary. I am still figuring out this new browser. So, it is early to summarize my experience.
This is also not a review. I do not want to review Arc.
So, here is the deal. I’ll continue to use Arc regularly and take notes on what I like and what I don’t like. If you are interested in knowing my experience of exploring Arc, let me know in the comments section below.
Leave a Reply