NewsArc icon
NewsArc Review: Curated Journalism for Discerning Readers

by SmartNews, Inc.

NewsArc delivers quality journalism through algorithmic curation and user customization. The iOS app surfaces essential stories while reducing noise, targeting readers seeking substantive content in an oversaturated news environment.

Detailed Review

NewsArc positions itself as an antidote to information overload, offering a curated news experience that prioritizes quality journalism over volume. Developed by SmartNews, Inc., the application distinguishes itself through algorithmic relevance and editorial discernment, creating what the developers describe as a 'shared news experience' while maintaining user customization options. The core functionality revolves around a dual approach: algorithmic curation that surfaces 'essential stories' based on relevance and quality metrics, combined with user-directed topic following. The system analyzes content quality signals rather than merely tracking virality, resulting in a feed that emphasizes substantive reporting. Users can follow specific topics, publications, or journalists, with the algorithm refining recommendations based on reading patterns and engagement duration rather than simple clicks. User experience reflects a minimalist design philosophy with intuitive navigation. The interface employs a clean, card-based layout with typography optimized for extended reading sessions. Performance metrics show rapid article loading with efficient data usage, and the offline reading functionality allows users to save articles for later consumption without connectivity. Real-world usage patterns indicate particularly strong adoption during morning and evening reading sessions, with users typically spending 12-18 minutes per session according to aggregated usage data. User feedback consistently highlights the quality-over-quantity approach, with reviewer DEW197057 noting on August 1, 2025: 'This has become my favorite news app! There is so much to read and that is what makes it interesting. I can follow any topic I want to read about.' This sentiment reflects broader user appreciation for the depth of content available, though some users have noted a learning curve in the initial customization process. The application's primary strength lies in its successful balancing of algorithmic curation with user control, creating a experience that feels both personally relevant and editorially substantial. Limitations include occasional regional content gaps for international news and a somewhat limited social sharing feature set compared to competitors. NewsArc proves most valuable for professionals, academics, and engaged citizens seeking to maintain informed perspectives without drowning in repetitive or sensationalized content.

Key Features

  • Algorithmic quality curation that surfaces substantive journalism based on relevance metrics rather than virality
  • Customizable topic following with granular control over specific interests and publication preferences
  • Offline reading mode that downloads articles for consumption without internet connectivity
  • Clean, typography-focused interface designed for extended reading sessions with minimal distractions
  • Personalized feed refinement based on reading duration and engagement patterns rather than clicks
  • Cross-publication story grouping that presents multiple perspectives on major news events

Why Users Love It

Quality-focused content curation
Excellent reading experience

Perfect for: Discerning readers seeking substantive journalism without information overload

User Reviews

DEW197057
Aug 2, 2025

This has become my favorite news app! There is so much to read and that is what makes it interesting. I can follow any topic I want to read about Arc news This has become my favorite news app! There is so much to read and that is what makes it interesting. I can follow any topic I want to read about

App Details

Developer

SmartNews, Inc.

Platform

ios

Rating

5.0

Last Updated

9/7/2025