I've been using Speechify to read ebooks as audiobooks. Here is some of my feedback. #books #reading
TLDRGraham shares his experience with Speechify, a text-to-speech app that converts text into audiobooks, which he uses extensively for his backlog of ebooks. Despite some issues like data consumption, battery drain, and occasional voice glitches, he's mostly satisfied with the service, appreciating its ability to read a variety of formats and the convenience it brings to his reading routine. He also highlights the app's potential for indie authors and looks forward to its continued improvement.
Takeaways
- 📚 Graham discusses his experience with Speechify, a text-to-speech app that can read various text formats, including ebooks.
- 🎧 Speechify was recommended by author Brandon Sanderson, who sought an alternative to Audible's contracts for his Kickstarter project.
- 🔊 The app is particularly useful for those with dyslexia, like Sanderson's son, and for audiobook listeners looking for more options.
- 📱 Speechify works on both desktop and mobile devices and integrates with web browsers to read text from various online sources.
- 👤 Graham has been using Speechify primarily to convert his backlog of ebooks into audio format, which he finds more convenient than reading.
- 💸 Speechify offers a monthly subscription and an annual subscription with a discount, though Graham experienced a price increase for the annual option.
- 🔉 The app requires an internet connection to convert text to speech in real-time, which can lead to data usage and battery drain issues.
- 🗣️ Speechify provides a wide selection of voices, including celebrity voices like Gwyneth Paltrow and Snoop Dogg, for users to choose from.
- 🔄 The app currently does not support background audio playback on Android devices, which is a limitation for some users.
- 📚 Graham uses a third-party service called Calibre to convert Amazon's proprietary azw format into a readable format for Speechify.
- 👍 Despite some technical hiccups, Graham is generally satisfied with Speechify and appreciates the customer support he has received.
- 📈 Graham believes in the concept of Speechify and is willing to continue investing in the service, hoping it will improve and evolve over time.
Q & A
What is Speechify and how did Graham first hear about it?
-Speechify is a text-to-speech application that can be used on desktop and mobile devices to read text from various sources out loud. Graham first heard about it in late December or early January when the author Brandon Sanderson mentioned it in the context of his Kickstarter campaign.
Why did Brandon Sanderson choose Speechify for his Kickstarter project?
-Brandon Sanderson chose Speechify because he wanted to provide an alternative to Audible for his backers, due to Audible's unfavorable contracts. Additionally, one of his sons, who is dyslexic, uses Speechify, which helps him read.
What are the main features of Speechify that Graham finds useful for his needs?
-Graham finds Speechify useful for converting his backlog of ebooks into audio format, which he can listen to while on the go. The app integrates with web browsers and can read text from various sources, including social media and news websites.
How does Speechify differ from traditional audiobook services like Audible?
-Unlike traditional audiobook services where recordings are pre-made and downloaded, Speechify converts text to speech in real-time using Wi-Fi or data, which can lead to higher data usage, battery drain, and potential quality variations.
What are some of the voice options available in Speechify?
-Speechify offers a wide range of voices, including male and female voices of different nationalities, celebrity voices like Gwyneth Paltrow and Snoop Dogg, and even a voice resembling Barack Obama.
What issues did Graham encounter while using Speechify?
-Graham experienced issues such as the app requiring the screen to be on during playback, which drains the battery faster, and occasional disconnections with beta voices that require a strong cell connection.
How does Graham manage to convert his Amazon Kindle books into a format compatible with Speechify?
-Graham uses a third-party service called Calibre to convert his Amazon Kindle books from the proprietary AZW format to PDF, which can then be uploaded to Speechify.
What is the current limitation of Speechify for Android users regarding the audiobook feature?
-As of the time of the transcript, the audiobook feature is only available on iPhones. Android users, including Graham, are on a waiting list for this feature to become active on their platform.
How has Speechify impacted Graham's reading habits in 2023?
-Speechify has significantly increased Graham's ability to consume books, as he has already read 70 books by mid-May 2023, with only six of them being in print.
What is Graham's overall satisfaction with Speechify and his plans for the future?
-Graham is mostly satisfied with Speechify, with a 75% satisfaction rate. Despite some hiccups, he believes in the concept and execution of the service and plans to continue investing in it, hoping it will improve over time.
How does Graham plan to provide feedback to Speechify?
-Graham plans to share his detailed feedback on Twitter and let Speechify know about his experience, hoping that his insights reach the engineers and contribute to the app's improvement.
Outlines
📚 Discovering Speechify: A Text-to-Speech Solution
In this paragraph, Graham introduces the audience to Speechify, a text-to-speech application he learned about through the author Brandon Sanderson. Sanderson highlighted Speechify's utility for his dyslexic son and for his Kickstarter project's audiobook component. Graham, an avid audiobook listener and independent author, was intrigued by Speechify's potential to read his backlog of ebooks. He explains his primary use for Speechify as an alternative to traditional audiobooks, particularly for supporting indie authors and accessing a wider range of content. Despite some initial cost concerns, Graham is largely satisfied with the service, noting it as a 75% positive experience.
🔊 Speechify's Real-Time Text-to-Speech Experience
The second paragraph delves into the technical aspects of Speechify's operation. Graham contrasts the traditional audiobook experience with Speechify's real-time text-to-speech conversion, which requires an internet connection and can consume data and battery life. He appreciates the variety of voices available, including celebrity voices like Gwyneth Paltrow and Snoop Dogg, and the option to choose more natural-sounding voices over the basic digital one. However, he also points out the limitations, such as the need to keep the screen on for text tracking and the inability to play in the background while using other apps, which can be inconvenient during tasks like driving.
📚 Utilizing Speechify for Independent Reading
In the final paragraph, Graham discusses his personal use of Speechify, particularly for accessing independent and lesser-known authors' works that may not be available in audiobook format. He mentions using a third-party software called Calibre to convert Amazon's proprietary azw format into a Speechify-compatible format, highlighting the challenges of DRM-enabled ebooks. Despite some technical issues, such as occasional voice cutouts requiring customer support intervention, Graham remains optimistic about Speechify's potential for improvement. He emphasizes the value of the service in enabling him to read more books, with 70 books read in 2023, only six of which were in print. He concludes by expressing his intent to provide feedback to Speechify and possibly do a follow-up video to share more detailed insights.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Speechify
💡Brandon Sanderson
💡Audible
💡Indie authors
💡Text-to-speech
💡eBooks
💡DRM (Digital Rights Management)
💡Calibre
💡Audiobook
💡Beta voices
💡Customer support
Highlights
Speechify is a text-to-speech app that can read various types of text, including ebooks and web content.
Graham discovered Speechify through Brandon Sanderson, who highlighted its utility for his dyslexic son.
Speechify was initially used by Graham for audiobooks, integrating with his existing digital library.
The app offers a subscription service with a monthly fee and a yearly discount.
Graham experienced initial dissatisfaction with the price fluctuation but ultimately found value in the service.
Speechify's real-time text-to-speech conversion can consume data and battery life.
The app provides a variety of voices, including celebrity voices like Gwyneth Paltrow and Snoop Dogg.
Speechify requires the screen to be on during playback, which can be inconvenient for some users.
The app does not currently support background audio on Android devices, a feature available on iPhones.
Graham uses Speechify to convert his backlog of ebooks into audio format, enhancing his reading experience.
The app's audiobook feature is not yet available on Android, putting Graham on a waiting list.
Speechify is particularly useful for accessing independent and lesser-known authors' works.
Graham has read 70 books in 2023, with only six being in print, highlighting the impact of audiobooks on his reading habits.
Calibre, a third-party software, is used to convert Amazon's proprietary azw format into a Speechify-compatible format.
Speechify's customer support has been responsive and helpful in resolving issues.
Graham occasionally experiences voice cutouts, reverting to a default robotic voice during playback.
Despite some technical hiccups, Graham is satisfied with Speechify and believes in its potential for improvement.
Graham's extensive use of Speechify demonstrates its value for readers with large ebook libraries.