Acti puts AI agents directly into your smartphone keyboard

2026-06-30 · Source: AI News & Artificial Intelligence | TechCrunch · Field: Technology & Digital — Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Software Development & Engineering, Emerging Technologies & Innovation · Depth: Fundamental Awareness, short

Summary

Acti, a Singapore-based startup, has launched an agentic keyboard for iOS and Android, integrating AI agents directly into the smartphone interface. This keyboard enables users to perform actions like getting local recommendations, sharing live stock prices, or translating messages without switching between apps. Powered by Google's Gemini models, Acti addresses the issue of fragmented user context across different applications. A core feature is "Skills," customizable shortcuts that automate multistep tasks, which users can create using plain language and share via a marketplace. The app prioritizes privacy with a local-first model. Acti plans a subscription-based revenue model and recently secured \$5.3 million in seed funding led by BITKRAFT Ventures.

Key takeaway

For AI Product Managers evaluating AI integration strategies, Acti's agentic keyboard demonstrates that embedding AI directly into foundational interfaces like keyboards can overcome user context fragmentation. You should consider how your AI solutions can operate "across all apps" to provide seamless, context-aware assistance, rather than requiring users to switch applications. This approach could significantly boost adoption and utility for your AI-powered features.

Key insights

Acti embeds AI agents directly into the smartphone keyboard to unify user context and enable in-app actions.

Principles

• AI agents thrive with unified user context.
• Embed AI into existing interfaces for adoption.
• Local-first processing enhances user privacy.

Method

Acti's method involves using Google's Gemini models to power an agentic keyboard. Users define "Skills" in plain language to automate multistep tasks directly within any app.

In practice

• Translate messages by long-pressing a key.
• Share live stock prices in chat.
• Create custom shortcuts for meeting links.

Topics

• AI Agents
• Smartphone Keyboards
• Contextual AI
• Google Gemini
• AI Integration
• Skills Marketplace

Best for: AI Product Manager, Entrepreneur, Investor

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by AI News & Artificial Intelligence | TechCrunch.