Microsoft has launched a preview of Copilot Vision, a feature that allows its AI assistant, Copilot, to browse the internet alongside users, offering commentary and assistance on web content. Available to Copilot Pro subscribers in the U.S. for $20 a month, this feature is designed with privacy in mind, as it deletes session data immediately after use. Copilot Vision currently works on select websites and does not use the data to train AI models, with all processing handled in the cloud.
The new Arc Search app from The Browser Company offers an unfettered AI browsing experience, generating disturbing and sometimes dangerous responses with no guardrails in place. While it can provide basic information effectively, it also offers unsettling suggestions for serious topics like suicide and addiction without prioritizing help resources. The app's lack of restrictions raises concerns about its potential impact on users seeking critical information, prompting calls for updates to address these issues.
Google Chrome is introducing three new AI-assisted features to enhance internet browsing. The "tab groups" feature organizes open tabs into groups based on their content, the AI-powered writing assistant helps users write with confidence, and the AI-generated theme creator allows users to create themes based on moods, colors, and art styles. These features aim to make browsing more efficient and enjoyable, with the writing assistant set to be available next month and the tab organizer and theme generator rolling out in the next few days.
The author reflects on their attachment to browser tabs, with 72 open on their computer and 263 on their phone, seeing them as a connection to their intentions and a reflection of their desires, memories, and goals. While some people find too many tabs stressful and distracting, the author finds comfort and a sense of control in the chaos of their tabs. They view tabs as personal and private, akin to a journal, and cherish them as a reminder of a simpler time in internet browsing.
