Arc Search for iPhone Merges AI and Web Search in a Browser App

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The Browser Company has released a new iPhone app called Arc Search that aims to reimagine the online search experience by using artificial experience to present web results in a more easily digestible, curated presentation.

arc search app
The app follows the company's Arc Browser for Mac, and could be described as an AI chat bot with web access (think perplexity.ai), wrapped in a clean, minimalist browser interface that quickly builds webpages on the fly based on your search query.

The app opens with a search bar and keyboard, and its main AI-powered feature, "Browse for me," reads at least six websites and returns key information about the search query in a neatly presented webpage.

For example, when searching "How to change a car tyre," Arc Search creates a page with sections including steps for changing the tyre, safety precautions, necessary tools, positioning the car, and fitting the spare wheel, with links for further reading.

While Arc Search webpages don't always cite sources, the app does feature a "Dive Deeper" section at the bottom of the page so users can check whether the information that is being delivered to them is credible.

Apart from the "Search for me" feature, which is powered by large-language models from OpenAI and others, users can opt to search with more traditional services like Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, and Ecosia.

In addition, there's a reader mode for clearing cruft from websites, along with the ability to bookmark pages. To keep things tidy, Arc Search also archives tabs after a user-defined period, and blocks GDPR banners and ads/trackers automatically.

Arc Search is available for free on the App Store [Direct Link] and requires iOS 16 or later, while Arc Browser for Mac can be downloaded from the company's website.

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Top Rated Comments

Will Co Avatar
Will Co
15 months ago
I'm concerned enough already about the manipulation of the information we all consume on a daily basis without having an AI warp it for me even further. No thanks. I'll use my brain, biases and faults and all.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
paulvee Avatar
paulvee
15 months ago
No desire for a browser that browses for me.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WarmWinterHat Avatar
WarmWinterHat
15 months ago
I don't want more AI in my daily life.

No thank you.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
joedec Avatar
joedec
15 months ago
Sad part is the answer is WRONG! You tighten the nuts using a star pattern ...
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Unggoy Murderer Avatar
Unggoy Murderer
15 months ago

I think I understand your analogy, but it’s not a great one.

Changing a car wheel is a standard process that’s been around for 100 years. It’s very safe to assume that an AI trained on mechanics and automobile manuals could properly recreate the same set of instructions - on an easy-to-follow website - for any user.

I think the same applies to most common aspects that require no specialized degree.
That's the point, it is not safe to assume anything at all when it comes to current generation generative AI systems.

My point can be proven by Arc's screenshots - fully tightening a wheel bolt is actually extremely dangerous, they must be specifically torqued. Instances when bolts are over-tightened can lead to the bolt sheering and potentially full wheel loss. Usually occurs when the car is steering and there's more lateral force put on to the wheels.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Paradoxally Avatar
Paradoxally
15 months ago

Can't wait for the whole "AI" fad to be over, the way NFT fad finally died.
That won't happen. Unlike NFTs, AI is actually useful for many users and businesses.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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