The AI web browser Dia is drawing inspiration from its predecessor, Arc, an earlier experiment in modernizing the web browsing experience. Both were developed by the startup known as The Browser Company. The company’s founder, Josh Miller, confirmed that the new AI browser will bring Arc’s greatest hits to Dia, including features like the sidebar mode, and combine that with AI-native capabilities like memory and agents.
This development suggests that Dia, which has since been acquired by Atlassian for six hundred ten million dollars, could have an advantage in the AI browser race. It builds directly on the company’s earlier learnings from developing Arc. Arc was initially released in mid-2023 as a reinvention of the browser designed for modern internet use. It offered separate workspaces for work and personal browsing, support for pinned tabs, a Command Bar similar to Apple’s Spotlight search, and a versatile sidebar.
However, Arc may have tried to push the envelope too far. Miller later admitted that Arc was ultimately too complex for most people to adopt. He stated that Arc was simply too different, with too many new things to learn for too little reward. He also noted that Arc lacked cohesion in both its core features and core values. Its experimental nature was part of its charm but also its complexity. Earlier this year, the company detailed its decision to wind down Arc and open source it, refocusing its efforts on building Dia.
Despite not becoming a widely adopted consumer product, Arc was not necessarily a failure. Instead, it provided the company with over a year’s worth of insights into which modern browser features resonate with users and which do not. This knowledge could help the company get ahead when building out the feature set for Dia. Miller has stated that Dia’s architecture is much better for AI, speed, and security, but it will introduce features that Arc fans loved, like the sidebar mode, which has already appeared in early test releases.
Early users of Dia have noted the addition of several features from Arc, including Focus mode, vertical tabs, pinned tabs in a grid-view, and automatic picture-in-picture for Google Meet when switching tabs. Miller has hinted that the company is exploring how to transition Arc’s Spaces, which are distinct browsing areas with their own settings, to Dia. The team is also currently testing pinned tabs for Dia.
Miller has additionally solicited user feedback on other potential features to add, such as swipeable profiles and updates for the Dia mobile app inspired by Arc Search, which are planned for 2026. He also notes that Dia will have less bloat and will be AI-native for functions like memory and agents.
Following the acquisition by Atlassian, The Browser Company continues to operate independently. Miller said this will allow the company to add more browser basics, referring to favorite Arc features, to the Dia browser. He also shared that Dia is developing deeper integrations with Atlassian’s products, such as Jira and other apps like Linear, under its new owner.