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It may be a good idea to have an 'Arc' like mode in Orion. The closest emulation is Orion's full screen mode with auto-hiding sidebar. These same features would be just as useful in the regular view (non full-screen), or Focus mode. Using other apps becomes easier in regular mode. At the moment a key combo or pointer click is required to open/close the sidebar. Auto-hide for the sidebar please. Fleshing out Focus mode to be more like 'Arc', would be great!

Arc Browser

I think Arc's well thought out balance between a clean minimalist look and usability is excellent. Arc shows just enough display information to open tabs, windows etc; then all of that gets out of the way when browsing. Brilliant! The floating chromeless window is truly attractive; it almost doesn't need a full-screen mode, its that efficient with display space.

P.S.

I'm mainly drawn to Orion because of its highly performant Webkit engine, and default blocking of ads/trackers. Arc's use of the Chromium engine results in slight stuttering with scrolling motion, and greater fan use on my old '15 Macbook Pro.

Would it be so shameless to copy Arc's UI and command bar?? :🙃

Arc's command popup

Perfect UI

  • Vlad replied to this.

    I could get behind having an option for auto-hiding the sidebar and adding a command palette, but I'm not sure if trying to copy Arc exactly would be a good idea, since Arc doesn't really appear to follow the Human Interface Guidelines.

    What about the current Focus Mode doesn't work for you? (Image below of current focus mode provided for context)

    mischa43 Thanks for feedback.

    I think Arc created an expectation that when sidebar is used, the top toolbar is removed. That is fine but the reason it works in Arc is that there is really no other way to use the browser so they are able to tweak interface to just that one use case, and it is their way or highway. Orion caters to a much broader audience and most users like to have horizontal toolbar for example.

    What you outlined as "perfect UI" is really a matter of taste. Lets identify the pain points and see if we can improve Orion. If you like minimalism, Orion's focus mode is much more minimal than you can ever get Arc to be?

      4 months later

      Please that would be awesome.
      Human Interface Guidelines can't be absoulute. People seems to love that feature.

      I would swich to orion for good.

      Also if we could get a typing windows instead of address bar in the center like spotlight search to open links (it is there in the arc)

        You are not copying anyone, we all build on what is built before us. That is how we got here. Until it is a trademark I don't see the point of not having these two features in orion.

        I just downloaded it today. Would love to be a orion member and promote it to other.

        Hope to see these feauture

        • Vlad replied to this.

          somebody12 It is not clear what "this" is nor what it has to do with Orion's Focus mode which is the title of this feature suggestion. Please clarify and or create new feature suggestions to ake it compeltely clear.

              23 days later

              Vlad It appears to be 2 separate requests, both related to making the browser useable without a top toolbar.

              1. Have the address bar located at the top of the sidebar.
              2. Use the “spotlight search” type interface to display the URL and suggestions when typing in the address box.

              I’m not sure Arc’s solution is all that intuitive. Personally I find it disconnected and a bit unusual (although still efficient). I suggest a further exploration of this idea. Perhaps a more compact top toolbar, or simply a floating address box similar to a dynamic island interface. I have a few ideas I’d like to experiment with before jumping on the Arc bandwagon.

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                        a year later

                        Like @mischa43, I've been testing both Zen and Orion browsers. As a Mac user, I would love to switch completely from Arc to Orion. However, Zen offers a crucial feature that I value: the sidebar shown on hover.

                        I believe this functionality is a defining factor not only for me but for many users considering the switch to Orion. While I understand the commitment to following the Human Interface Guidelines, I agree with @somebody12 that some exceptions can be beneficial. Certain features that users are already familiar with or desire in their browser of choice deserve consideration, even if they slightly deviate from standard guidelines.

                          No one is typing