The Browser Company finally opened the floodgates. Dia, their AI-first browser, is now available for anyone with a Mac to download. No invite codes. No waiting list. Just grab it and go.
This marks a significant shift from the exclusive beta that started back in June. Plus, it signals The Browser Company’s commitment to wider adoption after learning hard lessons from their previous browser, Arc.
What Makes Dia Different
Most browsers tack AI on as an afterthought. Dia builds everything around it from the ground up.
The AI assistant lives inside every tab you open. It can search the web, compare different websites side by side, and answer questions about whatever content you’re viewing. No need to switch to a separate window or copy text into a chat box.
The in-line copy editor caught my attention. It lets you refine writing without leaving the page you’re working on. Meanwhile, the summarization feature digests long articles instantly, right where you’re reading them.
Here’s something unexpected. Dia will actually talk you out of buying things if you ask it to. That’s a refreshing take on AI assistance that most companies wouldn’t dare implement.
Why Arc Users Should Pay Attention
The Browser Company made waves with Arc browser. It gained a devoted following thanks to its unique approach to tab management and design. But CEO Josh Miller admitted Arc “lacked cohesion” in its core features.
More importantly, Miller said Arc was “too different” for mainstream users to embrace. So instead of trying to fix it, they pivoted entirely to Dia in May.
Arc isn’t dead, though. The company committed to providing security updates for existing users. That’s a classy move given how passionate the Arc community became.
The Atlassian Acquisition Changes Everything
Atlassian bought The Browser Company for roughly $610 million. The deal should close by the end of 2025.
But here’s the interesting part. The Browser Company gets to keep operating independently. That autonomy let them focus entirely on launching Dia without corporate interference.
The acquisition provides serious financial backing. That means faster development, more aggressive rollout plans, and resources to compete with tech giants building their own AI browsers.
System Requirements Keep It Exclusive
You’ll need specific hardware to run Dia. Only Macs with M1 chips or newer qualify. Plus, you must be running macOS 14 or later.
Those requirements make sense given the AI processing demands. But they also limit who can try Dia right now. Anyone with an Intel Mac is out of luck.
That hardware barrier might slow adoption initially. However, it ensures a smooth experience for users who meet the specs.
Windows Users Still Waiting
No Windows version exists yet. The Browser Company hasn’t announced plans for one either.
But history suggests it’ll happen eventually. Arc eventually made its way to Windows despite launching on Mac first. So Windows users should keep watching for news.
The timing remains unclear. Given Atlassian’s resources and the push for aggressive growth, a Windows release could arrive sooner than expected.
AI Browsers Are Everywhere Now
Chrome, Edge, and Brave all added AI features recently. Opera built AI into its sidebar. Safari integrated machine learning throughout.
Yet most of these implementations feel bolted on. They exist as separate features you activate when needed. Dia takes a fundamentally different approach by making AI the foundation instead of an add-on.
Whether that strategy resonates with users remains to be seen. Some people might find constant AI assistance intrusive. Others will embrace having intelligent help always available.
The Real Test Starts Now
Private betas are one thing. Public releases are another entirely.
Dia needs to prove it can handle real-world usage from thousands of users. Performance, reliability, and usefulness all face scrutiny now. Plus, the AI needs to consistently deliver value without annoying people.
The Browser Company learned from Arc that being different isn’t enough. Dia needs to be both innovative and practical. That’s a tough balance to strike.
If you’ve got a compatible Mac, you can test it yourself. Download it, try the AI features, and see whether this approach to browsing makes sense for your workflow. Just don’t expect it to replace your main browser immediately.
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