Crest is an Arc-inspired, open-source browser for Apple platforms positioned as an alternative for users moving away from Arc. It centers on a persistent sidebar with Spaces (profiles), Split View, Peek, and extensive visual customization via Crest Studio (shapes, artwork, colors). It runs natively on Apple silicon Macs, iPad, and iPhone, syncs Spaces, tabs, folders and passwords through iCloud, and promises an Arc-like workflow with templates, pinned sites, saved tabs, and a command palette. The project is free under the Mozilla Public License 2.0, available as early access builds and on the App Store/TestFlight, with source and issue tracking on GitHub and community channels on Reddit and Discord. It explicitly notes it is not affiliated with Arc and that early releases haven’t had independent security audits.
Feature-wise, Crest combines Chromium plus per-site WebKit rendering, supports Chrome Web Store extensions per Space, and preserves passwords in macOS Keychain with optional Face ID/Touch ID locks for Private Spaces. It offers content blocking (uBlock Origin Lite or builtin lists), per-site permissions, on-device page translation and Reader mode, media controls, developer tools, customizable keyboard shortcuts, and page tools like PDF export and web archive. Import tools let users review and migrate Arc, Chrome, Safari, and Firefox data. Other practical touches include downloads pause/resume, archive/cleanup options, and “keep loaded” to prevent pages unloading.
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A project has successfully recompiled PS2 games to WebAssembly, enabling them to run directly in web browsers with a native-like runtime. This allows for playing classic PS2 titles without emulators or additional software. (github.com)
Advancements in hardware and software support are making Linux phones more viable as an alternative to Android and iOS. Although the market remains small, improved SoCs and interfaces could foster a niche for Linux smartphones similar to the desktop Linux market. (amosbbatto.wordpress.com)
HackerRank acknowledges that traditional algorithmic interviews have led to excessive grinding and are not reflective of real work. They are introducing Chakra, an AI-powered interview tool that evaluates candidates through realistic coding tasks and AI fluency, aiming to improve the hiring process. (hackerrank.com)
Doory is an open-source alternative to Canva, designed for creating graphics without proprietary tools. It features separate backend and frontend folders and has received seven stars on GitHub. (github.com)
Pensieve enables local searching of files, repositories, and sessions on Macs to provide relevant context for AI agents, reducing tool calls and costs. It allows precise searches by meaning or exact words, streamlining workflows without scanning entire disks. (tedhaley.ca)
X remains the primary platform where many Apple executives and interesting accounts post exclusive content, including updates and discussions on new apps and AI tools. Despite competition from Threads, Bluesky, and Mastodon, X offers a more engaging and diverse range of posts, especially on topics like AI and technology. (daringfireball.net)
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