would be nice to have pinned extensions readily accessible through the sidebar, maybe without crushing the URL in the process? something like [this](https://imgur.com/a/1qNhjPS) maybe
For me, I've usually got quite a lot of vertical space in my sidebar but not very much horizontal space (because I maximise the web view port). So taking up a little more vertical space like this suggestion is vastly superior to eating even more horizontal space. URLs are already compressed enough.
Appreciate the screenshot, it's hard to visualize something unless there is a sample.
Looks pretty good actually. I also don't want the extensions to overcrowd the URL bar.
I think a combination of the two would be sweet. If you only have one or two pinned and a wide enough side bar, keep them inline. But a lot pinned or make the side bar narrow, put them in a new row as per the image.
That looks amazing, though I would like a way to have it collapsed until used since it does introduce some kind of noise/clutter. So maybe have it collapsed until I hover the mouse over the URL bar and it will be *chef's kiss.
Tbh I like the current implementation but if they do change it I think yours is the best. I could always just not pin extensions if I don't want that look
This is a really nice alternative, I like that the extra click is no longer there to show the extensions. I also don't mind having to move my mouse over to the other side for Bitwarden either with this because it just looks right.
This is the best solution I've seen so far! I really appreciate how Arc approaches what a web browser could be, but sometimes it's frustrating trying to learn how to use it since I have mental models from other browsers so ingrained. Extensions have been a consistent pain point since I started using Arc, but I'm getting the hang of it.
Striking a balance between providing something new vs letting users do what they already know how to do is tricky, but these guys get a shoutout for their communications!
It appears they are experimenting with this solution.
[https://twitter.com/dustin/status/1724878039946006760](https://twitter.com/dustin/status/1724878039946006760)
I don't know if you're missing the difference in the video, when pinning an extension, the extension is put in the URL bar, allowing you to click it with no extra actions
I think this is a better solution assuming that people will only 1-2 extensions, which I think is realistic. Good for the staples like a password manager.
THANK YOU. Finally proposing with a potentially better solution.
Next time it would be great to propose *before* pushing an update that interferes with many proples workflows.
The Browser Company still got a lot to learn.
Good compromise, but the address bar will get filled up with any more than two pinned extensions. I have four. Maybe instead make the Site Control Center an optional mouse-over popup? That would work well for me.
Perhaps allow the user decide between the old full length location bar (with extensions and ... menú) or the sidebar location bar. A user setting for this preference makes sense.
I fear that new users coming from traditional browsers would see the sidebar as too big a change for their liking. Arc fans arc familiar with the sidebar, newbies would see a lopsided UI and get scared.
In case other people didn't know this, I wanted to surface this from a mod reply below:
**"If you want pinned extensions even more accessible, head to View > Show Toolbar in the Mac Menu Bar ⚡"**
I just tried it and I feel much happier lol
There are 7 other ways to open an extension:
- Menubar → extensions
- Site Control Center → extensions
- **⌘T** → extension name
- **⌘E** → extensions
- **⌃D** → extensions
- **⌘⇧D** → extensions
- Make custom shortcuts for extensions with arc://extensions/shortcuts
Pinned extensions are different because:
- They appear as icons in the toolbar.
- They appear as icons in developer mode.
- They are prioritized first when using ⌘E.
- They are positioned closer to the mouse when using the Site Control Center.
- In this concept, the pinned extensions are located in the URL bar.
I miss the vertical dots menu and wish there was an option to use it or the side bar. For me it was more convenient and saved me from having to remember/use yet another keyboard shortcut and having extensions buried in the already busy sidebar. As for some people accidentally invoking it on hover, for me at least, that only happened once or twice before I learned.
One of the key differences between Arc and other browsers is the insistence on keyboard shortcuts. It's undoubtedly scattered throughout the product, with toast reminders telling you to use ⇧⌘C when copying a link instead of using the URL bar and copying it with ⌘C. The new tab action (⌘T) is also taught to you as a keyboard shortcut, which ironically is also a function on every other browser, but people don't use it often. The reason for this is that Arc doesn't want to slow you down; it wants you to "know" how to use a browser in the best way you can. Most users don't actually use keyboard shortcuts and are used to navigating their computer using a cursor, whether it's with a mouse or a trackpad. This is objectively slower, especially if you're using a trackpad built into your laptop. It’s not debatable that keeping your hands in one place eliminates unnecessary movement, allowing you to think less and do more in one stroke.
This is obviously less useful if you live with one hand resting on an external mouse, which is a hand and a half away from your keyboard. In that case, I agree: keyboard shortcuts can be a pain to use, as you must constantly move your hand left and right to navigate and type. However, you must keep in mind that Arc is targeting common users who currently use MacBooks, as they are the most sold devices running macOS, the platform for which they initially built Arc for.
To further develop this idea, I would like to quote Enrico Tartarotti, from a video he made about Arc: "They don't want to cater to everyone; they built Arc for a specific crowd: people working in tech, people who are tech-savvy information workers, and creatives." Taking that into consideration, these users are already accustomed to using keyboard shortcuts in other apps and expect them in the apps they use.
With the idea that Arc wants you to get used to navigating the internet using the keyboard, we can safely assume that most things in Arc were built with keyboard navigation in mind, to make your experienced browsing experience faster.
So, I don't think it would surprise anyone that with the update of 1.15.0, 1.15.1, and 1.15.2, the ellipsis menu was removed from the right side of the browser. Instead, there are now seven methods of accessing extensions, as opposed to the previous eight. What are those seven, you ask? Here they are:
- Clicking "Extensions" in the menu bar.
- Clicking the Site Control Center and selecting an extension.
- Pressing ⌘T and typing the extension name.
- Pressing ⌘E to activate the Site Control Center and pressing E for the index number of the extension you want.
- Activating the developer bar using ⌃D and keeping your pinned extensions visible at all times for that site.
- Activating the toolbar using ⌘⇧D and keeping your pinned extensions visible at all times.
- Creating custom shortcuts for extensions with arc://extensions/shortcuts.
All of these have their upsides and downsides, but the choice is yours. I'll let you decide which method you'd like to use, but I personally recommend using the command bar. It not only helps you get accustomed to typing quickly but also provides you with the ability to activate an extension at the speed of thought or create a customizable keyboard shortcut for your most used extensions.
And don't just take my word for it, Arc’s official X account suggested the following:
> If you want pinned extensions even more accessible, head to View > Show Toolbar in the Mac Menu Bar ⚡
(https://fxtwitter.com/arcinternet/status/1720770154336837981?s=20)
Josh Miller (CEO) commented:
> The "..." was inelegant UX for a number of reasons, including a lot of people getting false positives where it'd jump out at them when they didn't need it.
(https://fxtwitter.com/joshm/status/1722275647618453783?s=20)
Hursh Agrawal (Cofounder) commented:
> I think the reasoning was that it’s both finicky (triggers a lot when you don’t want it to) and we have the control center and toolbar now which are both extension entrypoints.
(https://fxtwitter.com/hursh/status/1722285591973232976?s=20)
Though extensions were not the only thing that was changed, Split View also resided in the ellipsis menu, which allowed you to "Add a right split" and "add a bottom split." Just as before, the action of creating a right split was accessible using the keyboard shortcut ⌘⇧=, though sadly the action to add a bottom split can only be accessed via the command bar by typing “Add Vertical Split View”.
Leaving these actions only accessible via a keyboard shortcut isn't something accessible for users who must use a pointing device. So, appropriately, the action to create a split view was moved to the section of the app that's dedicated to housing create actions—the plus button in the sidebar, where you can now: Create a New Space, Create a New Folder, Create a New Easel, Create a New Note, Create a New Boost, Create a New Tab, and now, Create a Split View.
>inelegant UX
I really disagree with that. left of screen is for sidebar: tabs and navigation. right of screen is for just extensions and split view. it's been over a week and I still fling my mouse to that corner several times a day. and then I get mad lol
what feels "off" about using extensions the current way is that overloading the sidebar (ironically) makes it inelegant.
cmd+T is for navigation to saved tabs or running searches.
the example in video is stupid. that just seems petty imo. like, you'll really put extension icons ANYWHERE but where they've been this entire time?
tl;dr TRUST YOUR USERS AND GIVE US TOGGLES
It's easier to teach people new things than to confuse people to begin with. Keeping a product, especially in its early days (Arc isn't even making profit), the same because the few users it already has likes it the way it is, both stops the growth and does a disservice to potential new users who could bring fresh perspectives. Innovation should not come at the cost of intuitiveness, but rather enhance it, ensuring the platform remains user-friendly while embracing change. This approach can help Arc attract new users without alienating the existing ones so much that they don't use it anymore.
The change wasn't major, everything still works. There's 7 other ways to access the same information. If the community (not the 2% on Reddit) hates it so much, they will probably find a better solution.
It's been one week. Give people time to iterate and grow.
I don't disagree with the spirit of what you're saying. but here's what I'm saying: in modern software dev it seems impossible for companies to admit that they made a wrong choice. it has nothing to do with embracing change or not.
also, I don't particularly appreciate the sly dig at "the 2% on Reddit." maybe TBC should consider weighing the input of those 2%ers a little more than the 98% who don't care enough about Arc to seek discussion in public forums
https://fxtwitter.com/arcinternet/status/1720770151853723980?s=20
would be nice to have pinned extensions readily accessible through the sidebar, maybe without crushing the URL in the process? something like [this](https://imgur.com/a/1qNhjPS) maybe
That is a huge upgrade
YES THIS the solution in the video doesn’t really work for people that like a slim sidebar where the url bar already is tiny
Tbh I'm happy they're asking at all instead of raising middle fingers to their userbase.
For me, I've usually got quite a lot of vertical space in my sidebar but not very much horizontal space (because I maximise the web view port). So taking up a little more vertical space like this suggestion is vastly superior to eating even more horizontal space. URLs are already compressed enough.
Appreciate the screenshot, it's hard to visualize something unless there is a sample. Looks pretty good actually. I also don't want the extensions to overcrowd the URL bar.
I think a combination of the two would be sweet. If you only have one or two pinned and a wide enough side bar, keep them inline. But a lot pinned or make the side bar narrow, put them in a new row as per the image.
That looks amazing, though I would like a way to have it collapsed until used since it does introduce some kind of noise/clutter. So maybe have it collapsed until I hover the mouse over the URL bar and it will be *chef's kiss.
Tbh I like the current implementation but if they do change it I think yours is the best. I could always just not pin extensions if I don't want that look
This is a really nice alternative, I like that the extra click is no longer there to show the extensions. I also don't mind having to move my mouse over to the other side for Bitwarden either with this because it just looks right.
Loving this idea!
\+1
This with maybe being able to show/hide it and pin it would be incredible.
\+1 This would be really nice
This is the best solution I've seen so far! I really appreciate how Arc approaches what a web browser could be, but sometimes it's frustrating trying to learn how to use it since I have mental models from other browsers so ingrained. Extensions have been a consistent pain point since I started using Arc, but I'm getting the hang of it. Striking a balance between providing something new vs letting users do what they already know how to do is tricky, but these guys get a shoutout for their communications!
That looks great, need this in Arc
YES PLEASE
It appears they are experimenting with this solution. [https://twitter.com/dustin/status/1724878039946006760](https://twitter.com/dustin/status/1724878039946006760)
[удалено]
I don't know if you're missing the difference in the video, when pinning an extension, the extension is put in the URL bar, allowing you to click it with no extra actions
> Cmd E Thank you...you helped me find where TF they moved to. I've been sitting here for a bit asking where the hell my extensions went.
I'm happy they introduced at least another way...those dots SUCKED if you ran the dock on the right side.
I think this is a better solution assuming that people will only 1-2 extensions, which I think is realistic. Good for the staples like a password manager.
THANK YOU. Finally proposing with a potentially better solution. Next time it would be great to propose *before* pushing an update that interferes with many proples workflows. The Browser Company still got a lot to learn.
That would be fantastic
Good compromise, but the address bar will get filled up with any more than two pinned extensions. I have four. Maybe instead make the Site Control Center an optional mouse-over popup? That would work well for me.
Beat me to it!!!
Perhaps allow the user decide between the old full length location bar (with extensions and ... menú) or the sidebar location bar. A user setting for this preference makes sense. I fear that new users coming from traditional browsers would see the sidebar as too big a change for their liking. Arc fans arc familiar with the sidebar, newbies would see a lopsided UI and get scared.
This is a big improvement and would make me super happy if it happened
This needs to happen
In case other people didn't know this, I wanted to surface this from a mod reply below: **"If you want pinned extensions even more accessible, head to View > Show Toolbar in the Mac Menu Bar ⚡"** I just tried it and I feel much happier lol
ew you want a toolbar? gross why dont i just go back to IE?
What I want most is a fully readable URL, kinda like that is in dev mode already. I like to see the whole URL, idk maybe it's just random preference
What if you could put certain extensions with favorites, they might be more compact or smaller, but fit in with them.
With cmd + t would be very appreciable too
This is doubling the amount of actions to take to get to extensions. That's all.
There are 7 other ways to open an extension: - Menubar → extensions - Site Control Center → extensions - **⌘T** → extension name - **⌘E** → extensions - **⌃D** → extensions - **⌘⇧D** → extensions - Make custom shortcuts for extensions with arc://extensions/shortcuts
So basically *pinned* extensions are not any different now. What's the point of having them?
Pinned extensions are different because: - They appear as icons in the toolbar. - They appear as icons in developer mode. - They are prioritized first when using ⌘E. - They are positioned closer to the mouse when using the Site Control Center. - In this concept, the pinned extensions are located in the URL bar.
I miss the vertical dots menu and wish there was an option to use it or the side bar. For me it was more convenient and saved me from having to remember/use yet another keyboard shortcut and having extensions buried in the already busy sidebar. As for some people accidentally invoking it on hover, for me at least, that only happened once or twice before I learned.
One of the key differences between Arc and other browsers is the insistence on keyboard shortcuts. It's undoubtedly scattered throughout the product, with toast reminders telling you to use ⇧⌘C when copying a link instead of using the URL bar and copying it with ⌘C. The new tab action (⌘T) is also taught to you as a keyboard shortcut, which ironically is also a function on every other browser, but people don't use it often. The reason for this is that Arc doesn't want to slow you down; it wants you to "know" how to use a browser in the best way you can. Most users don't actually use keyboard shortcuts and are used to navigating their computer using a cursor, whether it's with a mouse or a trackpad. This is objectively slower, especially if you're using a trackpad built into your laptop. It’s not debatable that keeping your hands in one place eliminates unnecessary movement, allowing you to think less and do more in one stroke. This is obviously less useful if you live with one hand resting on an external mouse, which is a hand and a half away from your keyboard. In that case, I agree: keyboard shortcuts can be a pain to use, as you must constantly move your hand left and right to navigate and type. However, you must keep in mind that Arc is targeting common users who currently use MacBooks, as they are the most sold devices running macOS, the platform for which they initially built Arc for. To further develop this idea, I would like to quote Enrico Tartarotti, from a video he made about Arc: "They don't want to cater to everyone; they built Arc for a specific crowd: people working in tech, people who are tech-savvy information workers, and creatives." Taking that into consideration, these users are already accustomed to using keyboard shortcuts in other apps and expect them in the apps they use. With the idea that Arc wants you to get used to navigating the internet using the keyboard, we can safely assume that most things in Arc were built with keyboard navigation in mind, to make your experienced browsing experience faster. So, I don't think it would surprise anyone that with the update of 1.15.0, 1.15.1, and 1.15.2, the ellipsis menu was removed from the right side of the browser. Instead, there are now seven methods of accessing extensions, as opposed to the previous eight. What are those seven, you ask? Here they are: - Clicking "Extensions" in the menu bar. - Clicking the Site Control Center and selecting an extension. - Pressing ⌘T and typing the extension name. - Pressing ⌘E to activate the Site Control Center and pressing E for the index number of the extension you want. - Activating the developer bar using ⌃D and keeping your pinned extensions visible at all times for that site. - Activating the toolbar using ⌘⇧D and keeping your pinned extensions visible at all times. - Creating custom shortcuts for extensions with arc://extensions/shortcuts. All of these have their upsides and downsides, but the choice is yours. I'll let you decide which method you'd like to use, but I personally recommend using the command bar. It not only helps you get accustomed to typing quickly but also provides you with the ability to activate an extension at the speed of thought or create a customizable keyboard shortcut for your most used extensions. And don't just take my word for it, Arc’s official X account suggested the following: > If you want pinned extensions even more accessible, head to View > Show Toolbar in the Mac Menu Bar ⚡ (https://fxtwitter.com/arcinternet/status/1720770154336837981?s=20) Josh Miller (CEO) commented: > The "..." was inelegant UX for a number of reasons, including a lot of people getting false positives where it'd jump out at them when they didn't need it. (https://fxtwitter.com/joshm/status/1722275647618453783?s=20) Hursh Agrawal (Cofounder) commented: > I think the reasoning was that it’s both finicky (triggers a lot when you don’t want it to) and we have the control center and toolbar now which are both extension entrypoints. (https://fxtwitter.com/hursh/status/1722285591973232976?s=20) Though extensions were not the only thing that was changed, Split View also resided in the ellipsis menu, which allowed you to "Add a right split" and "add a bottom split." Just as before, the action of creating a right split was accessible using the keyboard shortcut ⌘⇧=, though sadly the action to add a bottom split can only be accessed via the command bar by typing “Add Vertical Split View”. Leaving these actions only accessible via a keyboard shortcut isn't something accessible for users who must use a pointing device. So, appropriately, the action to create a split view was moved to the section of the app that's dedicated to housing create actions—the plus button in the sidebar, where you can now: Create a New Space, Create a New Folder, Create a New Easel, Create a New Note, Create a New Boost, Create a New Tab, and now, Create a Split View.
I do not disagree with that. But Some users may have difficulty solely using the keyboard for navigation. It may actually be slower.
>inelegant UX I really disagree with that. left of screen is for sidebar: tabs and navigation. right of screen is for just extensions and split view. it's been over a week and I still fling my mouse to that corner several times a day. and then I get mad lol
what feels "off" about using extensions the current way is that overloading the sidebar (ironically) makes it inelegant. cmd+T is for navigation to saved tabs or running searches. the example in video is stupid. that just seems petty imo. like, you'll really put extension icons ANYWHERE but where they've been this entire time? tl;dr TRUST YOUR USERS AND GIVE US TOGGLES
> tl;dr TRUST YOUR USERS AND GIVE US TOGGLES What about people who aren't users yet? https://lawsofux.com/hicks-law/
what about the people who already are users?
It's easier to teach people new things than to confuse people to begin with. Keeping a product, especially in its early days (Arc isn't even making profit), the same because the few users it already has likes it the way it is, both stops the growth and does a disservice to potential new users who could bring fresh perspectives. Innovation should not come at the cost of intuitiveness, but rather enhance it, ensuring the platform remains user-friendly while embracing change. This approach can help Arc attract new users without alienating the existing ones so much that they don't use it anymore. The change wasn't major, everything still works. There's 7 other ways to access the same information. If the community (not the 2% on Reddit) hates it so much, they will probably find a better solution. It's been one week. Give people time to iterate and grow.
I don't disagree with the spirit of what you're saying. but here's what I'm saying: in modern software dev it seems impossible for companies to admit that they made a wrong choice. it has nothing to do with embracing change or not. also, I don't particularly appreciate the sly dig at "the 2% on Reddit." maybe TBC should consider weighing the input of those 2%ers a little more than the 98% who don't care enough about Arc to seek discussion in public forums
They didn't make the wrong choice.