Bob is a translation and OCR application for macOS that runs as a menu bar utility.
The tool addresses the need for quick text translation and optical character recognition without leaving your current application. For translation, it offers multiple input methods: selecting text and using a keyboard shortcut, taking a screenshot of text to translate, or typing directly into an input field. The OCR functionality similarly provides screenshot-based recognition with options for interactive or silent modes that copy results directly to the clipboard. The application integrates with multiple translation services including system translation, Google Translate, DeepL, OpenAI, and numerous regional services, as well as OCR providers like Google OCR and various Chinese services. It also supports text-to-speech synthesis from multiple providers.
Bob suits macOS users who frequently need to translate text or extract text from images as part of their workflow. The tool is particularly valuable for those working across multiple languages or dealing with text in images, offering convenience through keyboard shortcuts and menu bar access. The application supports customization through plugins and can be invoked via AppleScript or PopClip integration, making it adaptable to different workflows.
The project maintains an active feedback channel through its website rather than relying on the repository for issue tracking. Development appears focused on expanding service integrations, as evidenced by support for numerous translation and OCR providers including recent additions like ChatGPT, Deepseek, and other AI-powered services. The tool receives regular updates to maintain compatibility with macOS and to add new translation and recognition services.
