Arc Search for iPhone goes conversational with ‘Call Arc’ feature

Today in the latest update to Arc Search for iPhone, search is becoming more conversational. The new ‘Arc Search’ feature aims to replicate the dynamics of talking on the phone, providing Arc users with a more voice assistant-like experience.

Phone to ear, Arc is ready

Arc’s iPhone app already supported voice search prior to today’s update, and it recently even made that feature available via the iPhone 15 Pro’s Action button.

Now a voice search can be initiated by opening the app and putting your phone up to your ear, as if making a phone call. Arc will immediately start listening to your query and provide a response.

The experience using Call Arc does feel very natural and accessible. I’ve seldom triggered the app’s voice search before, despite how easy it was to do before. I tend to default to typing out my searches.

But Call Arc taps into a habit that’s been deeply ingrained in human behavior for decades. Putting your iPhone to your ear to start a conversation feels so seamless. And while we all likely carry negative associations with voice robo-systems, the smarts of Arc make this experience far better than the oft-frustrating customer support voice bots.

9to5Mac’s Take

Arc’s ambitions are undoubtedly huge. Not only is The Browser Company competing against Safari and Chrome, it is also part of the AI assistant race where OpenAI and others dominate. Against these giants, it seems like a major underdog.

Arc Search’s regular, meaningful updates are one way the app has sought to distinguish itself in the quest to dethrone its heavyweight first- and third-party alternatives. However, with Apple preparing a variety of its own AI-infused Safari and Siri updates, it will be interesting to see how Arc can continue innovating and improving upon its core offering as the year rolls on.