Dia AI browser adds Arcs best features

The quick answer

The Browser Company is integrating proven features from its experimental Arc browser into the new Dia AI browser. Here is what you need to know:

1. The Dia AI browser is adopting Arc's most popular design elements like the sidebar, vertical tabs, and pinned tabs.
2. This move combines Dia's fast, AI-native architecture with user-tested features that improve organization and productivity.
3. The goal is to provide a powerful, AI-driven browsing experience that is simple and easy to adopt, avoiding the complexity that limited Arc's reach.

What is the Dia AI browser

The Dia AI browser is a new web browser built from the ground up to use artificial intelligence. Its design focuses on speed, security, and simplicity to change how you interact with the web.

Unlike traditional browsers, Dia is built on an AI-native architecture. This allows it to offer unique features like Memory, which personalizes your experience based on your habits, and Skills, which are automated assistants for daily tasks.

Because it is built on Chromium, Dia supports all your favorite Chrome extensions. This ensures a familiar foundation while introducing powerful new tools for productivity.

Why Dia is different from other browsers

Dia was created to be more than just a window to the internet. It acts as an intelligent partner that helps you organize information, complete tasks, and find what you need faster.

Core features like tab-based chat let you ask questions about your open tabs directly. For instance, you could ask Dia to summarize an article or compare two products from different tabs without switching back and forth.

Arc's legacy and Dia's new direction

Before Dia, The Browser Company launched Arc, an experimental browser praised for its innovative design. Arc introduced features like Spaces for organizing work, a sidebar for tabs, and a powerful command bar.

However, the company found that Arc was too complex for most people. Founder Josh Miller noted that Arc’s experimental nature was also its biggest weakness, creating a steep learning curve for the average user.

The pivot to the Dia AI browser is a strategic decision. It takes the "greatest hits" from Arc—the features users loved most—and builds them into a simpler, AI-powered platform. This approach uses over a year of real-world user data to create a better, more accessible tool.

Learning from user data

The time spent developing Arc was not wasted. It served as a large-scale research project, revealing which features truly improved users' workflows. By migrating only the proven winners, Dia avoids clutter and complexity from the start.

This strategy is central to building a better digital experience, a principle that applies to all online platforms. Understanding user behavior is key to designing a website or app that converts. A well-designed digital presence is always built on data, not assumptions.

Key Arc features now in the Dia AI browser

Dia is getting a steady stream of updates that incorporate Arc's best organizational and productivity tools. These features are designed to feel intuitive and immediately useful.

Sidebar mode and vertical tabs

One of Arc's most popular features was its sidebar. Dia has adopted this, moving your tabs from the top of the browser to the side. This creates a clean, vertical list that is easier to scan and organize than a horizontal row of tiny tabs.

Vertical tabs help you see more of each page's title, making it easier to find what you're looking for. You can group related tabs for a project, keeping your workspace tidy and focused.

Pinned tabs and spaces

Dia is also testing Pinned Tabs and Spaces, two of Arc's top organizational tools. Pinned tabs let you keep your most-used websites in a dedicated area for quick access, like your email or project management tool.

Spaces allow you to create separate browsing contexts, each with its own set of pinned tabs, themes, and history. For example, you can create a "Work" Space and a "Personal" Space to keep your browsing sessions completely separate and reduce distractions.

Productivity tools for daily tasks

Small enhancements add up to a much smoother workflow. Dia now includes Picture-in-Picture for Google Meet, which automatically activates when you switch tabs, so you never lose sight of your meeting.

Custom keyboard shortcuts and a "Focus Mode" are also part of the package. These tools give you more control over your environment, letting you tailor the browser to your work style and eliminate distractions on command.

How Dia's native AI features improve your workflow

The integration of Arc's features complements Dia's powerful AI core. The combination of smart organization and intelligent automation makes browsing a more active and productive process.

This focus on smart automation is transforming digital marketing. Using the right tools helps deliver content that ranks and converts. A fully managed digital strategy leverages automation to achieve consistent results.

Memory and personalization

Dia's Memory feature learns your preferences as you browse. It remembers sites you visit often and topics you're interested in to provide more relevant suggestions and a personalized experience. Privacy is a core part of this, with clear controls over what Dia remembers and shares.

This AI-driven personalization helps the browser feel like your own assistant, anticipating your needs before you type them into the search bar.

Skills for automated work

Skills are built-in and user-created shortcuts for common tasks. With a simple command, you can ask Dia to summarize a long report, fact-check an article, or create an outline from a block of text.

For students or researchers, Dia can even turn notes and readings into flashcards and study guides automatically. These practical tools save significant time and mental energy.

Chat with your browser tabs

One of the most unique features is tab-based chat. You can open a chat interface and directly ask questions about your open tabs. For example, you can type "@tab Summarize this" or "Compare the specs in @tab1 and @tab2."

This turns your browser from a passive content display into an interactive workspace. It allows you to synthesize information across multiple sources without manual copy-pasting or constant tab switching.

Is the Dia AI browser right for you

The new Dia AI browser is designed for anyone who spends significant time working on the web. It's particularly useful for professionals, content creators, researchers, and students who need to manage large amounts of information.

If you constantly juggle dozens of tabs or wish your browser could do more of the heavy lifting, Dia is worth exploring. Its clean interface reduces clutter while its AI features actively help you get work done faster.

Dia is currently available for macOS 14+ on Apple silicon computers. It offers a generous free plan that includes all core features and a Pro plan ($20/month) for unlimited AI chat usage. You can learn more and download it from the official website for The Browser Company.

How to get started

Getting started with Dia is straightforward. After downloading and installing the browser, take a few minutes to explore the new features inherited from Arc.

1. Organize with the Sidebar: Drag a few tabs into a group to see how it cleans up your workspace.
2. Test a Skill: Open an article and use the command bar (CMD-T) to find and use the "Summarize" Skill.
3. Chat with a Tab: Open two product pages and ask Dia to compare them using the chat feature.

Experimenting with these tools is the best way to see how an AI-powered browser can change your daily habits. Staying on top of powerful new digital tools is essential for maintaining a competitive edge online. Your digital presence is built on the tools you use every day.

The future of web browsing

The merger of Arc's design with Dia's AI represents a significant step forward for web browsers. It shows a clear trend away from browsers as simple portals and toward them as active work environments. The browser is no longer just for viewing; it's for doing.

With ongoing weekly updates and a mobile app planned for the future, the Dia AI browser continues to evolve. This strategic pivot by The Browser Company highlights a broader industry shift, where AI integration and user-centric design are becoming the new standard for all digital tools.