The Arc browser has been the default on MacOS for a while now. If the Browser Company brings Arc to Linux, it will become the default there too. It’s that good a browser. Arc has a lot of great features, many of which have been completely reworked by developers.
One feature that is becoming more commonplace across browsers is AI integration. While almost every web browser has some form of AI integration, Arc’s unique approach to web browsers and use of AI has cemented it as my default.
Plus: 5 reasons why Opera is my favorite browser
The problem is that to get the most out of Arc and its AI, you need to install a browser extension that’s available for most Chromium-based browsers (but not Firefox), but it’s the combination of Arc’s features, the built-in AI, and the extension that makes it my favorite.
How to enable Arc Max
Things necessary: All you need for this is an updated instance of Arc Browser running on MacOS or Windows.
First, let me explain the built-in AI feature that works in ChatGPT. By default, the AI feature may be disabled (as was the case for me). Fortunately, it is very easy to enable the feature.
Just go to Settings > Max and turn the feature on. After that, go through the list of options and enable the features you want to use. We’ve covered Arc Max in detail in our article about how Arc Browser offers the most truly helpful AI we’ve ever seen.
You can be selective about which features you enable.
Jack Warren\ZDNET
Enabling Max puts the power of ChatGPT right at your fingertips. To use this feature, click[新しいタブ](or press Cmd+T), type ChatGPT (or chatgpt) in the popup, and press Tab. This will change the address bar to a ChatGPT prompt. Now you can type in the prompt and press Enter, and a new ChatGPT tab will open with your response.
Arc’s ChatGPT interface is free to use, but you will need to sign up for a free account before you can use it, which does not require credit card information.
Once the pill turns green, you’ll see it appear in the ChatGPT prompt instead of in the Arc Browser address bar.
Jack Warren\ZDNET
ChatGPT Writer
The built-in AI features are great, but I prefer to add the ChatGPT Writer extension. The best thing about this extension is that you can customize the prompts to choose between Gemini 1.5 and ChatGPT 3.5, set the tone, length, etc. These features alone make this extension stand out, and when combined with Arc’s built-in AI, it’s the best combination I’ve ever used.
The ChatGPT Writer extension was made for Chrome, but it can be installed and works perfectly on all Chromium-based browsers (including Arc). To install the ChatGPT Writer extension, Official Chrome Web Store website Click “Add to Chrome.”
This extension is available in the Chrome Web Store and is compatible with Arc.
Jack Warren\ZDNET
To make this extension easier to use, you should pin it to your Arc toolbar. To do this,[拡張機能]Click on the menu entry[拡張機能の管理]In the window that appears, select[ツールバーにピン留め]Click the On/Off slider to the On position. You can then close the tab.
If you don’t pin the extension, it will be hard to find.
Jack Warren\ZDNET
ChatGPT Writer works by visiting a website, finding something you need to research, opening the extension, and typing a prompt or pasting text you’ve copied from the site in question. What I do is open the extension with the site in a tab and type the prompt. Unfortunately, there’s no keyboard shortcut to summon the extension popup, so I pinned the extension to my toolbar.
Also, How to Digitize Your Handwritten Notes for Free with ChatGPT
In the top left toolbar (at the top of the Arc sidebar), you’ll see a green circle with a lightning bolt. Clicking on that icon will open the extension’s popup. In this window, select the AI service you want to use, click “Text tone” to set your tone (automatic, professional, casual, candid, confident, or friendly), and click “Length” to set the general length of your responses (short, medium, long). Once you’re done, fill out your prompt and click “Generate.”
Responses from either AI service can be easily customized.
Jack Warren\ZDNET
The ChatGPT Writer extension will type up your response, or you can paste the content of an email, letter, article, or term paper you’ve written into the “Command Context” window and use Gemini or ChatGPT to correct grammar issues, translate, or paraphrase the content.
And Vanilla OS Orchid further improves on an already great Linux distribution.
These two features have made the Arc Browser the most flexible and easy-to-use browser for AI, and we highly recommend giving it a try as you start working more with AI.
