Apple is leveraging artificial intelligence to address one of Safari's long-standing weaknesses: a limited extension library. Unlike competitors such as Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, Safari has struggled to attract a robust ecosystem of extensions due to Apple's strict development requirements. Now, the company is inviting users to essentially "vibe-code" their own extensions using AI.
Vibe-Coding Extensions with AI
In a recent demo, Apple showcased how users can ask Safari to create an extension simply by describing it. For instance, a prompt like "Save and track cooking recipes from around the web" resulted in Safari using Apple Intelligence to generate a "Recipe Keeper" extension. This feature aims to fill the gap left by the absence of popular Chrome and Firefox extensions on Safari, and it appeals to users building personal software with AI.
Catching Up with Rivals
Safari has lagged behind Chrome, Edge, and Firefox in adopting AI features. While competitors have rapidly integrated AI tools over the past few years, Safari's AI toolset was limited to webpage summaries via the Highlights feature. Now, Apple is introducing several new AI-powered capabilities to close the gap.
Automatic Tab Organization
Safari will now automatically sort tabs into categories based on their content. For example, tabs related to shopping for running shoes might be grouped under "sneakers." Google Chrome introduced a similar feature in 2024, allowing users to right-click and organize tabs, though it appears Google may have discontinued it. Microsoft Edge and Mozilla Firefox offer comparable tab grouping and AI-generated tab group names, respectively.
Compromised Password Updates
Apple's Passwords app will use Safari and Apple Intelligence to automatically change compromised passwords. The feature navigates to websites, signs in, and updates passwords on behalf of the user. Google announced a similar capability for Chrome last year, but it is limited to supported websites.
Notify Me Feature
Safari is also introducing a "Notify Me" feature that tracks changes to websites. Unlike third-party tools, Apple's version allows users to specify the type of change they want to monitor, such as a product restock or price drop, reducing unnecessary notifications.
Apple's Selective Approach
While competitors rush to add AI-powered browsing features, Apple is taking a more selective approach. The company is focusing on proven tools, ensuring that embedded AI features are reliable before widespread adoption. This cautious strategy may help Safari avoid pitfalls associated with unproven AI technologies.
