The Browser Company Kills Arc

Jun 9, 2025

Discover how OpenAI's new voice-enabled API is transforming interactive chat applications. Dive into the reasons behind the suspension of Arc browser development and the rise of AI-driven tools like Cursor. The episode also provides insights into the limitations of AI in coding tasks and shares personal experiences with tech, including the innovative Shokz bone conduction headphones. Additionally, enjoy a lighthearted discussion about the chaotic yet entertaining world of farming shows, and reflect on the challenges of adapting complex narratives for television.

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INSIGHT

OpenAI's Direct Voice Chat API

OpenAI's new Agents API enables direct client-side voice-enabled AI chat using WebRTC.
This technology allows for real-time, interactive, and tool-augmented AI agents inside web applications.

ADVICE

Use Guardrails for AI Safety

Use guardrails, a secondary LLM, to filter malicious or unsafe AI requests.
Guardrails protect sensitive data and maintain integrity when using large language models.

INSIGHT

Browser Company Shifts to AI

The Browser Company ceased development of Arc to focus on a new AI-centric browser called Dia.
They believe traditional browsers will die, replaced by AI-driven reimaginings of browsing.

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OpenAI has a new API in beta called the Realtime API, which enables speech conversations with LLMs. Real-time text and audio processing means users can have conversations with voice agents and voice-enabled apps, and OpenAI makes it simple to connect via WebRTC or WebSockets.

Several months ago, The Browser Company, abruptly announced they were stopping work on Arc browser in favor of building a completely new, AI-first browser called Dia. Now, the company’s CEO has released a letter detailing why these decisions were made and what the future holds for The Browser Company. Details on Dia are vague, but the team is optimistic they can build “a true successor to the browser”.

AI-enabled coding IDE Cursor hit v1.0, this week with a bunch of notable features. Notable highlights in this release include: BugBot, which automatically reviews PRs and identifies bugs and issues, Background Agent (Cursor’s remote coding agent) for all users, Memories to help Cursor remember facts and conversations within projects for future use, and one-click MCP install and OAuth support.

Timestamps:

1:10 - OpenAI’s realtime agent API
10:03 - The Browser Company Kills Arc
16:53 - Cursor 1.0
28:04 - Codex gets internet access
31:09 - React Router’s open governance
34:18 - Fire Starter
39:55 - What’s making us happy

News:

Paige - Cursor 1.0
Jack - OpenAI’s Realtime Agent for AI chat
TJ - The Browser Company stops developing Arc

Lightning News:

Fire Starter:

console.log formatting strings

What Makes Us Happy this Week:

Thanks as always to our sponsor, the Blue Collar Coder channel on YouTube. You can join us in our Discord channel, explore our website and reach us via email, or talk to us on X, Bluesky, or YouTube.