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Arc

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Arc is an on-screen AI assistant for Android and Mac that can summarize, read aloud, rewrite, extract information, answer questions, and run custom actions without switching apps. It helps with articles, messages, documents, calls, and other text on your device.

What is Arc?

Arc is an AI assistant that works over the app or document currently on screen. On Android, it appears as a floating sidebar; on Mac, it opens as a panel with Control+Space. Users can choose an action such as summarizing, reading aloud, rewriting text, extracting structured information, or chatting about the current screen, rather than copying content into a separate chatbot.

The product is intended for reading, writing, accessibility, study, and repetitive workflows. It can return numbered summaries, insert rewritten text into a focused text field, turn extracted details into usable items, save content or results, and run custom prompt-based actions. Arc is free on Android and Mac with seven requests per week; Windows is in beta and iPhone is in development. The site also states that Arc does not require an account and never runs in the background.

What can Arc do?

AI Summary and Reader

Summarizes articles, PDFs, emails, and discussion threads into numbered key points, answers follow-up questions about the same screen, and can read displayed content aloud with automatic language detection.

AI Writer

Rewrites text, fixes grammar, drafts replies, changes tone, or turns notes into posts. Results can be inserted into the focused text field in apps such as Gmail, WhatsApp, and Slack, as well as other apps with text fields.

Smart Extract

Identifies dates, contacts, links, addresses, phone numbers, and codes on screen without requiring the user to select or highlight them. Extracted items can be copied or acted on.

Custom actions and shortcuts

Converts a saved prompt into a one-tap action that can run on any screen. Actions can be assigned a global shortcut, and users can install actions shared by the Arc community.

Flashcards and saved content

Generates question-and-answer flashcard decks from pages, lecture notes, or papers, and lets users save content or results to a library for later review.

Call insights

On Android, Arc can transcribe phone calls, provide a summary after the call, identify speakers, extract action items, and turn dates, addresses, and numbers into follow-up actions.

Use Cases

“Reading and research”

Summarize a long article, paper, PDF, or email thread and ask follow-up questions while the source remains on screen.

“Email and messaging”

Draft or rewrite a response directly in the current text field, adjust its tone, and insert the result without moving between applications.

“Accessibility and multitasking”

Have articles, documents, and messages read aloud with automatic language detection while commuting, cooking, exercising, or resting your eyes.

“Study and review”

Convert lecture notes, textbooks, or research material into flashcards, then review the generated question-and-answer deck in Arc.

“Phone-call follow-up”

Capture a phone conversation, review the transcript and summary, and use extracted dates, numbers, or action items to handle what was agreed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which platforms does Arc support?

Arc is available on Android and Mac. Windows is listed as a beta release, while iPhone is described as in development.

How do I invoke Arc?

On Mac, press Control+Space to open the panel over the current window. On Android, tap the floating Arc bubble to open the sidebar.

What can Arc do with the current screen?

It can summarize or discuss the content, read it aloud, rewrite text, extract structured details, save content, and run a prompt-based custom action.

Does Arc work offline?

The summary and AI text-to-speech pages state that an internet connection is required to generate summaries and AI voices. Saved summaries can be accessed offline.

Is an account required?

The home page states that Arc’s free plan does not require an account. The site does not provide further account or team-workflow details.

Quick Facts

Category
AI assistant; productivity tool
Primary platforms
Android and Mac
Additional availability
Windows beta; iPhone in development
Invocation
Mac Control+Space; Android floating bubble
Free access
Android and Mac, with seven requests per week
Core workflow
Read the current screen, choose an action, then listen, insert, copy, save, or act on the result

Arc Traffic Analysis

Traffic data is for reference only.

Domain Rating
9

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