Text-to-speech startup Speechify releases a new version (v3.0) of its iOS app with features such as a redesigned homepage, document scanning capabilities, Gmail and learning platform Canvas integration, and an in-app explore page. To do. content.
Speechify has a revamped homepage and offers shortcuts to import files with options like iOS Files, Google Drive, Kindle, Gmail, Text, Scan, Links, and more. The new update has a scanning feature that allows users to scan physical documents and import the text to listen to later. User can also scan his two pages of the book at the same time.
Image credits: give a speech
The revamped homepage also has Apple Fitness Ring-style daily reading goals that you can adjust.
The company is introducing a feature that will allow users to read their emails by integrating their Gmail accounts. This app also helps users import her PDF attachments into the Speechify app. The startup is also launching her Canvas integration with learning management systems to help students access their homework. Plus, new iCloud integration automatically pulls your files into Speechify.
Speechify takes advantage of the interactive widget feature in iOS 17 and is releasing new widgets to easily import sources, track reading progress, and continue listening to imported documents. The new app also allows users to listen to tracks offline with premium audio.
The company says the app features new preset AI voices with improved voice models. Celebrity voices such as Snoop Dogg and Mr. Beast have also been updated. Users can also get her AI-powered summaries of documents and articles, which the app can read out loud.
Another AI-powered feature that is part of Speechify 3.0 is the ability for users to clone their own voice to read text aloud. Last year, Apple released an accessibility feature called Personal Voice, which creates a voice that sounds like you. Earlier this month, Clubhouse also released a feature that reads chats aloud.
Image credits: give a speech
Speechify says it has 23 million users signed up for its app. The company did not say whether the numbers represented registered or active users. The startup has forged partnerships including with Instagram co-founder's app Artifact and Medium, which shut down last month. Tyler Weitzman, the company's co-founder and head of AI, said the company plans to release a public API for its text-to-speech solution for more business-related partnerships.
Apart from developing support for external reading sources, the company has created a redesigned Explore page to place unique content in areas such as productivity, self-improvement, and learning differences. This content is in a format similar to Instagram Stories.
Image credits: give a speech
The company said it has observed that once users hear about 500 words on Speechify, they are more likely to like the service. The company wants to give users a head start with preloaded content. The startup said it wants to bring more content to the app. In particular, users can read content from various websites through an in-app browser. Additionally, the company operates an independent audiobook business.
Speechify has different types of competitors in this space. For example, the Mozilla-owned read-later app Pocket has an in-app text-to-speech feature. Last year, The New York Times launched its own audio app based on the Audm product it acquired in 2020. Speechify wants to stand out in this market and by offering all kinds of content, it wants to be a one-stop shop for anyone considering their reading experience. Integration.