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Android Authority
2 days ago
- Business
- Android Authority
I've been using Arc browser for a year and am not switching back to Chrome
Andy Walker / Android Authority Arc browser was all the rage a year ago, and it made me curious enough to give it a try. After an early test run, I gave it a few months before switching to it full-time. If you ask me today whether I regret the decision, the answer is a resounding no. In fact, it's been one of the most refreshing tech switches I've made since moving from Windows to Mac many years ago. At a time when every browser started to look and feel exactly like the other — with most running Chromium under the hood — Arc felt like a breath of fresh air. While it was the visual upgrades that drew me in, the various smart features have kept me hooked for more than a year. And at this point, I don't even want to consider going back to Google Chrome — or any other web browser, for that matter. Would you ever consider switching from Chrome to Arc (or another browser)? 0 votes Yes NaN % No NaN % I've already ditched Google-ville NaN % The tab gods have blessed Arc with ingenuity Andy Walker / Android Authority I hate to admit it, but I've always struggled with managing browser tabs. I know a lot of users are in the same boat, but that reassurance never helped, as my situation was embarrassingly out of control. I had tabs open for months with no clue why I needed them, mixed in with temporary tabs like login pages that just piled on the clutter. I had accepted my fate — until I fully switched to Arc. To be honest, Arc was a big shift from what I was used to with Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge. But maybe that massive leap was exactly what I needed to finally change my habits for good. And I'm happy to report that it did. The most consequential change for me was Arc's default setting to automatically close all unsaved tabs after a day (you can customize this; I've set mine to a week). It flipped the script: instead of tabs being saved by default and piling up endlessly, they now disappear unless I deliberately save them. This alone has drastically reduced clutter on my most-used desktop app. This simple ingenuity is what won me over. Karandeep Singh / Android Authority Arc complements this approach with something called Little Arc, which is a mini window that pops up to open websites you only need temporarily and don't want clogging up your tab bar (think login pages and such). It's a huge part of my workflow now, even though it stays out of sight. Thinking about this as I write, I wonder how I ever worked without it and why more browsers haven't copied the idea yet. Arc vs Chrome: One makes the other seem dull Andy Walker / Android Authority Sure, most mainstream browsers, including Chrome, are now on the AI hype train, typically adding a chatbot into the sidebar like some patchwork. That saves you one step of visiting an AI tool's website, but not much else. Arc, on the other hand, has been offering genuinely useful and smart features for longer, and they're much better integrated. For example, you can hover over inline links to get a quick summary of the page before deciding whether to open it. Plus, the Cmd/Ctrl + F shortcut doubles as an AI-powered search bar that lets you ask questions about the page in your natural language. After all, what are tabs if not digital laundry that is back again the second you finish folding the last pile? The two things I use most are both related to tab management — which, if you haven't already guessed, is a huge deal for me. After all, what are tabs if not digital laundry that is back again the second you finish folding the last pile? To start with, Arc automatically renames tab titles and downloaded files with readable, contextual names, instead of the usual mess of gibberish filenames. And when I'm working on a big story with dozens of tabs open for research with no clear order or structure, I use the Tidy Tabs feature. One click from the sidebar, and Arc neatly groups similar tabs with appropriate titles, without me lifting a finger. For what it's worth, even Google Chrome has started catching up here, recently adding a similar feature with Gemini. Oh, and Arc also includes mini apps with built-in integrations for popular services like Gmail and Google Calendar — two things I use all the time. If I've got a meeting coming up, a join button appears right in the sidebar minutes before, letting me jump straight in without having to dig around my emails or calendar entries for the link. Similarly, I can see recent emails in a small pop-up window without needing to open a full tab. As the fruit company likes to say — it just works! I wish it was all rosy with Arc Andy Walker / Android Authority As much as I love Arc and plan to stick with it for the foreseeable future, it's not without flaws. The biggest issue for me, by far, is battery life. Arc eats up my MacBook Air's battery faster than I'd like. Chrome is just as bad, if not worse, while Microsoft Edge has been noticeably more battery-efficient — despite also running on Chromium. Arc's maker is now focusing on a new browser, with no new features coming to Arc, making the future of Arc look bleak. Then there was that major vulnerability that could potentially expose the entire browser to bad actors. Arc thankfully patched it before it became a widespread issue, but it still left many questioning its reliability. Add to that the recent news that the company is now focusing on a new browser, with no new features coming to Arc, and the future of Arc starts looking bleak. That last bit stings the most. But I've grown fond of Arc enough to keep using it until it becomes truly unreliable for daily work. Until then, Chrome can cry on Gemini's shoulder.
Gizmodo
3 days ago
- Business
- Gizmodo
ASUS 14-Inch Chromebook Costs Almost Nothing, an Absolute Steal for a 4.9-Star Laptop
In search of a new laptop? If you're primary need for a computer is basic web browsing, email drafting, word processing, and YouTube video-watching, then you really don't need to shell out for anything crazy expensive. A Chromebook is kind of the perfect tool for these use cases plus they're super great for travel. Asus has its Chromebook CX14 on sale over at Best Buy. Right now, it's been shaved down almost 50%. That brings the price from its usual $279 to just $149. You can save a cool $130 for a limited time. Something unique about this Chromebook is the screen can lay flat at a 180° angle with its keyboard. This makes collaboration with others easier as everyone around the table can see what's on display. See at Best Buy This Asus Chromebook CX14 has a decently sized screen, measuring in at 14inches. It displays in full 1080p HD. The narrow bezels allow you to make the most of your screen space while keeping the laptop as whole compact and easy to travel with. And you can travel with it anywhere because the screen has a matte anti-glare coating to help reduce reflections. Respond to emails out at your favorite sunny outdoor coffeeshop. Lightweight, Yet Durable Speaking of travel, you can maintain peace of mind toting this Chromebook around with you wherever you go. It's built solid, meeting industry-leading MIL-STD 810H US military standard. That means it has undergone stringent testing to withstand panel pressure, shock, and drops to ensure maximum toughness. The Asus Chromebook is quick to start up, only taking 10 seconds to being operational from when you push the button. The side comprises of several useful ports including a full-function reversible USB-C port that can be used for easy charging or to connect peripherals. You also get a USB 3.2 Type A port. The Chromebook also has an AUX port, my beloved (still mad at Apple for removing them from phones). This Chromebook comes with a three month trial of Gemini Advanced premium plan—Google's own AI. That also comes with a full 2TB of cloud storage. Just don't save anything important only to that unless you plan on subscribing after the three months are up. Though when that expires, you do also get one free year of 100GB cloud storage with Google One. Get your Asus 14-inch Chromebook CX14 for just $149 at Best Buy before the price goes back up to $279. Right now, you'd be saving a whole $130, which is almost 50%. See at Best Buy
Gizmodo
6 days ago
- Business
- Gizmodo
Acer 15.6″ Chromebook Laptop Is Cheaper Than AirPods, Includes a Free Protective Sleeve for Memorial Day Only
In search of a new laptop? If you're primary need for a computer is basic web browsing, email drafting, word processing, and YouTube video-watching, then you really don't need to shell out for anything crazy expensive. A Chromebook is kind of the perfect tool for these use cases plus they're super great for travel. Acer has its Chromebook on sale over at Best Buy. Right now, it's been shaved down 50%. That brings the price from its usual $299 to just $149. You can save a cool $150 for a limited time. As a bonus, you'll also get a protective sleeve to make traveling with the Chromebook even easier. See at Best Buy This Acer Chromebook 315 has a decently sized screen, measuring in at 15.6 inches. It displays in full 1080p HD. The narrow bezels allow you to make the most of your screen space while keeping the laptop as whole compact and easy to travel with. And you can travel with it anywhere because the screen has a matte anti-glare coating to help reduce reflections. Respond to emails out at your favorite sunny outdoor coffeeshop. Specs-wise, we're looking at 4GB on memory to help smoothly run multiple programs and browser tabs at once. It's got 64GB of eMMC storage, capable of fast load times. Sign in with your Google accounts to access even more storage in the cloud. The Chromebook utilizes an Intel Celeron processor with an Intel UHD graphics card. Battery life is excellent. A single charge will have your Acer Chromebook lasting for up to 10 hours. That's a full work day and then some. The side comprises of several useful ports including two full-function reversible USB-C ports that can be used for easy charging or to connect peripherals. You also get two USB 3.2 Type A ports along with a microSD slot which means photographers don't need to keep one of those dongles on them. The Chromebook also has an AUX port, my beloved (still mad at Apple for removing them from phones). Bonus Gift Included With Purchase The protective travel sleeve that comes included as a bonus will help keep your Acer Chromebook 315 safe when traveling. It has a second zippered compartment at front which is handy for storing you power adapter or other cables or USB drives you frequently need to use and want handy with you wherever you go. Get your Asus 15.6-inch Chromebook 315 for $150 off (-50%) at Best Buy before the price goes back up. It's normally priced at $300 so after the discount, you'll only be paying $149. See at Best Buy
Gizmodo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Gizmodo
Best Buy Offers HP 14-Inch Chromebook for Almost Free for Memorial Day, Nowhere to be Found on Amazon
In search of a new laptop? If you're primary need for a computer is basic web browsing, email drafting, word processing, and YouTube video-watching, then you really don't need to shell out for anything crazy expensive. A Chromebook is kind of the perfect tool for these use cases plus they're super great for travel. HP has its 14-inch Chromebook on sale over at Best Buy. Right now, it's been shaved down about 60%. That brings the price from its usual $349 to just $139. You can save a staggering $210 for a limited time. See at Best Buy Perfectly Portable This HP Chromebook has a decently sized screen, measuring in at 14 inches. It displays in 720p HD. Outputting to a separate monitor or TV can support resolutions of up to 4K. The narrow bezels allow you to make the most of your screen space while keeping the laptop as whole compact and easy to travel with. Anti-reflective coating makes it so you can even take your Chromebook outsider to get some work done, even on a sunny day. The Chrome OS is easy to use and designed to handle simple tasks quickly and smoothly. It's running with an Intel Celeron processor, 4GB of memory, and 64GB of eMMC storage. Chromebooks are designed primarily for use with cloud-based applications and small process-light files so 64GB might be all you need. With support for Wi-Fi 6, you'll be able to maintain fast internet speeds. Bluetooth 5.3 will keep your connections to your peripherals sound. The HP Chromebook includes a front-facing camera for all your video conferencing needs. It records in 720p HD and provides vibrant clarity, even in low light environments. The built-in microphone will have your sounding crystal clear on the other end of the call. Sound on your end is fantastic with the HP Chromebook's dual speaker setup allowing for stereo audio. The HP Chromebook does come with an AUX 3.5mm port so you can connect external speakers or microphone for even more elevated sound quality coming in or out. Battery life is excellent and recharging is fast. You can bring the HP Chromebook back up from zero percent to 50 in approximately 45 minutes. Before you go off spending thousands of dollars on a new laptop, consider what you're really using it for. If you just need a solid device that you can check your email, browse the web, and do some basic tasks like building out spreadsheets or other documents, a Chromebook might be the better choice for you. HP's Chromebook is down $210 (-60%), bringing it down to just $139 for a limited time. See at Best Buy
TechCrunch
20-05-2025
- Business
- TechCrunch
Google rolls out Project Mariner, its web-browsing AI agent
Google announced during Google I/O 2025 that it's rolling out Project Mariner, the company's experimental AI agent that browses and uses websites, to more users and developers. Google also says it's significantly updated how Project Mariner works, allowing the agent to take on nearly a dozen tasks at a time. U.S. subscribers to Google's new $249.99-per-month AI Ultra plan will get access to Project Mariner, and the company says support for more countries is coming soon. Google also says it's bringing Project Mariner's capabilities to the Gemini API and Vertex AI, allowing developers to build out applications powered by the agent. First unveiled in late 2024, Project Mariner represents Google's boldest effort yet to revamp how users interact with the internet through AI agents. At launch, Google Search leaders said they viewed Project Mariner as part of a fundamental user experience shift, in which people will delegate more tasks to an AI agent, instead of visiting websites and completing those tasks themselves. For example, Project Mariner users can purchase tickets to a baseball game or buy groceries online without ever visiting a third-party website — they just chat with Google's AI agent, and it visits websites and takes actions for them. Image Credits:Google Project Mariner competes with other web-browsing AI agents, such as OpenAI's Operator, Amazon's Nova Act, and Anthropic's Computer Use. These tools are all in an experimental stage, and TechCrunch's experience has proven the prototypes to be slow and prone to mistakes. However, Google says it's taken feedback from early testers to improve Project Mariner's capabilities. A Google spokesperson tells TechCrunch the company updated Project Mariner to run on virtual machines in the cloud, much like agents from OpenAI and Amazon. This means users can work on other projects while Project Mariner completes tasks in the background — Google says the new Project Mariner can handle up to 10 tasks simultaneously. This update makes Project Mariner significantly more useful compared to its predecessor, which ran on a user's browser. As I noted in my initial review, Project Mariner's early design meant users couldn't use other tabs or apps on their desktop while the AI agent was working. This kind of defeated the purpose of an AI agent — it would work for you, but you couldn't do anything else while it was working. Techcrunch event Join us at TechCrunch Sessions: AI Secure your spot for our leading AI industry event with speakers from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Cohere. For a limited time, tickets are just $292 for an entire day of expert talks, workshops, and potent networking. Exhibit at TechCrunch Sessions: AI Secure your spot at TC Sessions: AI and show 1,200+ decision-makers what you've built — without the big spend. Available through May 9 or while tables last. Berkeley, CA | REGISTER NOW In the coming months, Google says users will be able to access Project Mariner in AI Mode, the company's AI-powered Google Search experience. When it launches, the feature will be limited to Search Labs, Google's opt-in testing ground for search features. Google says it's working with Ticketmaster, StubHub, Resy, and Vagaro to power some of these agentic flows. Separately today, Google unveiled an early demo of another agentic experience called 'Agent Mode.' The company says this feature combines web browsing with research features and integrations, as well as with other Google apps. Google says Ultra subscribers will gain access to Agent Mode on desktop soon. At this year's I/O, Google finally seems willing to ship the agentic experiences it's been talking about for years. Project Mariner, Agent Mode, and AI Mode all seem poised to change how users navigate the web, and how vendors interact with their customers online. Web-browsing agents have big implications for the internet economy, but Google seems ready to put all these agents out in the world.
