The Browser Company, best known for its Arc browser, has unveiled plans for its next major project, Dia. While Arc offers a sleek design and intuitive interface, Dia harnesses artificial intelligence.
Set to debut in early 2025, Dia is envisioned as more than just a browser. According to a teaser on the browser’s newly launched website, the company sees AI not as a standalone feature but as a foundational aspect of the browsing experience.
“AI won’t exist as an app. Or a button. We believe it’ll be an entirely new environment — built on top of a web browser,” the website says.
According to TechCrunch, the first demo showcases an AI tool that integrates seamlessly with the insertion cursor. For instance, when drafting an article about the original iPhone, Dia can suggest the next sentence or pull relevant facts from the web. It also demonstrated contextual awareness by fetching Amazon links opened in other browser tabs and embedding them in an email, complete with a basic description.
In the second demo, the address bar transforms into a command centre. Users can execute complex tasks with natural language prompts, such as retrieving a document, emailing it via a preferred client, or scheduling meetings. While these features might resemble existing tools, their uniqueness and utility remain to be tested.
Perhaps the most ambitious feature involves Dia performing tasks on behalf of the user. For example, the browser autonomously added items from an email list to an Amazon cart. In one instance, Dia browsed Amazon, selected a listing for two hammers, and added them to the cart.
While the choices raised questions about accuracy, they highlight Dia’s potential for automating repetitive tasks. Another demo illustrated how Dia could email participants from a Notion table, further showcasing its AI-driven efficiency.
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