My Journey with Arc Browser Max’s AI Features
Arc’s new AI feature, Arc Max, has been a topic of discussion lately, and as a user, I’ve had my fair share of experiences with it.
Here’s a look at the highs and lows, the impressive and the not-so-much, of my journey with Arc Max.
Ask On-Page: A Promising Companion
I have a soft spot for the Ask On-Page feature. It’s akin to having a knowledgeable companion ready to assist at a moment’s notice. Powered by Claude by Anthropic, it’s been a reliable ally, offering precise answers and even summarizing pages on command. However, there’s one little hiccup — the conversations disappear as soon as you navigate away. It feels like a conversation cut short. I’m optimistic though; with the addition of a conversation history, this feature could reach new heights. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the Arc team has some refinements up their sleeve.
5 Second Previews: Another Favorite
5 Second Previews is another winner, especially on Reddit. It’s automatic on Search and some websites, but the real fun begins when you hold down shift on other sites. Every preview is a new experience, a different take, making browsing a game of delightful discovery.
Tidy Tab Titles and Tidy Downloads: A Pass
Tidy Tab Titles and Tidy Downloads haven’t quite hit the mark for me. Maybe it’s a personal preference, but I like my titles and downloads just the way I set them. Can AI do a good job at it? Maybe, but I’m not sold yet.
ChatGPT in Command Bar: Room for Improvement
ChatGPT in the Command Bar is the underdog here. I’m all for big, meaningful conversations with AI, tailored with selected plugins and specific GPT-4 modes. The Command Bar’s default mode just doesn’t cut it for a deep, contextual conversation.
A Deep Dive with Ask On-Page
Despite its minor limitations, Ask On-Page proved its mettle when I delved into user opinions about Arc Max on the Arc Subreddit. It delivered concise, seemingly accurate answers, though I’m always a bit wary and hope it’s not cooking up opinions on the fly.
Here’s a snippet of what I gleaned, thanks to Ask On-Page. There’s applause for features like previews and search enhancements, but also a chorus of concerns about privacy following data policy changes. It’s a mix of the good, the bad, and the indifferent.
Based on the variety of posts, it seems opinions fall into four main camps:
- Positive — 10 posts said Max features like previews and search enhancements were useful additions.
- Mixed — 15 posts enjoyed Max but were concerned about privacy after data policy changes.
- Negative — 5 posts felt Max made the browser bloated or features were not useful.
- No strong opinion — 5 posts discussed Max objectively without a clear positive or negative view.
- Max Enthusiasts For users in this group, Max has taken the already great Arc browser to the next level. Features like 5-second previews and enhanced search are a major time-saver. One user called Max “awesome”, saying it delivered capabilities beyond just adding a ChatGPT sidebar.
- Privacy Pragmatists Many appreciate Max’s functionality but were uneasy about new details in the privacy policy, which allowed more data sharing with OpenAI. However, they acknowledge OpenAI and Anthropic’s promises around deleting data. This middle-ground sees both sides of the issue.
- Privacy Purists A smaller faction lost trust after the policy updates. They argue some users, like activists or those in restrictive countries, have legitimate safety concerns if their browsing data is transmitted at all.
- On the Fence Some posts discussed Max objectively, neither strongly praising nor criticizing it. This undecided group aims to understand different perspectives in the debate.
Arc Max’s AI features are a commendable stride forward. They’re not without their quirks, but the potential is undeniable. With a bit more refinement, and perhaps a dash of user feedback in the mix, these features could morph from being “ quite useful” to “ absolutely essential.”
Originally published at https://www.vinitnair.com on October 5, 2023.
