After a beta version was released for Android in October, a new mobile web browser called Arc Search became widely available to everyone on Thursday.
The Browser Company, which created Arc Search, is also known for its desktop browser called Arc. Earlier this year, they introduced Arc Search for iPhones to reach more users and utilize AI technology for better search functionality. With the launch of Arc Search on Android, the company hopes to attract millions of Android users.
When Arc Search first launched on Android, it had only a few basic features. These included a function called “Browse for Me,” which helps users find information, an ad blocker to remove unwanted ads, and a way to automatically save tabs. Now, with the stable version, users can enjoy new features like voice search, customizable widgets, icons for their home screen, support for viewing in landscape mode (horizontally), the ability to use “Browse for Me” in different languages, and full compatibility with Android 12.
The Browser Company reported that within just a few weeks of the beta release, over 100,000 people had downloaded Arc Search from the Google Play Store.
While the company plans to keep updating the Android version of Arc Search, they are also focusing on creating new products. In a recent video, the CEO of the Browser Company, Josh Miller, mentioned that although they are still working on the current version of Arc, the company, which is valued at $550 million, is thinking about developing new products that will appeal to a larger audience.
Some users have expressed frustration, saying that Arc can be tricky to learn and use, which may have caused some people to stop using it.
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In an interview with The Verge, Miller acknowledged that even though the number of users has increased fourfold, they realize that Arc is not yet a product that appeals to the average user.
The Browser Company hasn’t shared all the details about what their final product will look like, but Miller has hinted that it will allow users to “glide around the internet” and accomplish tasks more easily. They also want to create a powerful command bar that can help users find what they need using AI technology. Some of these features have already been shown as ideas or smaller updates within the current Arc browser.
The challenge for the Browser Company will be to satisfy the needs of dedicated Arc users while also developing a product that is attractive to a broader audience.
