The Browser Company, known for its Arc browser, is considering selling the project or opening up its code so the community can continue to develop it independently.
In a new blog post, CEO Josh Miller notes that after several years of developing and launching Arc, the company ran into what he calls a “novelty tax.” For most users, Arc was too unfamiliar a browser, with too many new features that required learning but provided too little benefit.
Miller also notes that most active users barely used all the browser's features: only 5.52% had more than one space, only 4.17% used the Live Folders feature, and less than 1% used Calendar Preview.
Despite this, The Browser Company is not planning to shut down Arc just yet, but it also has no plans for any major new features or updates. The company is currently considering two options: either open-source the browser or sell it entirely.
However, there are some difficulties here too. Arc uses its own ADK (Arc Development Kit) infrastructure. This is, in effect, an internal SDK for building browsers that allows iOS engineers to quickly prototype interfaces without having to work with C++.
If the company decides to open source the browser, it will have to open source the ADK, which it doesn't want to do yet, as this infrastructure is an important element for The Browser Company. What's more, the ADK is the basis for Dia, the company's new browser that will be easier to use and will focus on artificial intelligence features.
Miller notes that the source code for both ADK and Arc itself could be open sourced, but only if it doesn't pose risks to the company and its shareholders. That moment hasn't yet arrived.