Speechify Review | An App That Instantly Reads Texts For You

Gradehacker
27 May 202207:47

TLDRSpeechify is a versatile app designed for reading texts aloud, especially beneficial for those with reading difficulties like dyslexia. It supports various formats, including PDFs and web pages, and offers a user-friendly interface with features like adjustable reading speed and voice selection. While the app boasts impressive voice samples, including celebrity voices, its premium service limits the number of words you can listen to per month. The free version is quite functional, but the premium version, costing $139 annually, offers more features, though some users have reported issues with the free trial. Speechify is a promising tool with room for further development.

Takeaways

  • 📚 Speechify is an app designed to read text aloud, offering a variety of computer-generated voices.
  • 🎓 Created by a founder with dyslexia, Speechify aims to assist people who have difficulty reading.
  • 🖥️ The app is available on desktop, as a Chrome extension, and as a mobile app, providing flexibility in use.
  • 📑 Users can upload PDFs, text documents, and even entire web pages, or scan documents with their phone for text reading.
  • 🔍 The app's interface is user-friendly, allowing for easy navigation and document management.
  • 📖 The feature to scan physical books with a phone camera is a convenient way to include non-digital texts.
  • 🎵 Users can customize their reading experience by adjusting the speed, pausing, skipping sentences, and choosing from different voice samples.
  • 🚀 A standout feature is the ability to increase reading speed up to 900 words per minute, though the optimal range for comprehension is between 200-400 words per minute.
  • 🗣️ Speechify offers high-quality and diverse voice samples, including celebrity-like voices, though some are still in development.
  • 🌐 The app supports multiple languages, but premium voice access is limited to 150,000 words per month for premium users.
  • ✂️ The mobile version allows for direct text editing within the app, while the desktop version requires using the Chrome extension for editing.
  • 💰 Speechify offers a free version with limited features and a premium version with an annual subscription cost of $139, without a monthly option.

Q & A

  • What is Speechify and what is its primary purpose?

    -Speechify is an app that reads text out loud using computer-generated digital voices. It was created as a tool for people who struggle with reading, including those with dyslexia.

  • What platforms does Speechify support?

    -Speechify is available as a desktop application, a Chrome extension, and a mobile app, making it accessible across various devices.

  • How does the interface of Speechify work?

    -Speechify has a straightforward design with a homepage where users can add PDFs, text documents, and even upload entire web pages, providing an intuitive and easy-going user experience.

  • What is the unique feature of Speechify's mobile version?

    -The mobile version of Speechify allows users to scan documents with their phone camera, including physical books, and the app can accurately convert the scanned text into a digital format for reading.

  • How can users control the reading of documents in Speechify?

    -Users can control the reading of documents through a menu that allows them to pause, skip sentences, change the reading speed, select voice samples, and choose to skip specific text content.

  • What is the maximum reading speed that Speechify offers?

    -Speechify offers a maximum reading speed of 900 words per minute, although it is suggested that a more comprehensible speed range is between 200 and 400 words per minute.

  • What are some of the unique voice samples available in Speechify?

    -Speechify offers a variety of voice samples, including some that sound like actress Gwyneth Paltrow and former President Barack Obama.

  • How many languages does Speechify support for its voice samples?

    -Speechify supports voice samples in multiple languages, although the premium voices are limited and may require a subscription for full access.

  • What is the limitation of the free version of Speechify?

    -The free version of Speechify provides access to only robot voices, a maximum reading speed of 400 words per minute, and the ability to skip brackets, citations, parentheses, and URLs.

  • What is the cost of the premium version of Speechify?

    -The premium version of Speechify costs $139 annually, providing access to all features including a wider range of voice samples and the ability to skip specific content.

  • What are some of the drawbacks mentioned in the review of Speechify?

    -Some drawbacks include the inability to skip content in the free version, which can interrupt the reading flow, and the high annual cost of the premium version, which some users may find too expensive.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Speechify App Overview and Features

The video script introduces Speechify, an app designed to read text aloud using a variety of computer-generated voices. It is particularly beneficial for individuals with dyslexia or those who struggle with reading. The app is available on desktop, as a Chrome extension, and on mobile devices, offering a user-friendly interface. Users can upload documents, PDFs, and even entire web pages, or scan physical books using their phone's camera. The app allows for text editing, reading speed adjustments, and voice selection, including premium voices that mimic celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow and Barack Obama. However, premium voices are limited to 150,000 words per month for premium users due to cost and resource constraints.

05:02

💰 Speechify Pricing and User Experience

The script discusses Speechify's pricing model, which includes a free version with access to basic features such as robot voices and a maximum reading speed of 400 words per minute. Users can also skip certain text elements like brackets and citations. A three-day free trial is available, but there have been user complaints regarding unexpected charges and poor customer service. The premium version, costing $139 annually, unlocks all features, including a higher reading speed of up to 900 words per minute, though the script notes that speeds above 400 words per minute are impractical. The premium version also provides access to more realistic voice samples and additional editing capabilities. The video concludes with a recommendation that Speechify is a promising app for productivity, but it is still in the early stages of development with room for improvement.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Speechify

Speechify is the central subject of the video, an app designed to read text aloud using a variety of computer-generated voices. It is particularly beneficial for individuals with dyslexia or those who prefer auditory learning. The app is available on desktop and mobile platforms, allowing users to upload documents and have them read back to them. In the script, it is mentioned as a tool that can improve productivity by adjusting reading speed and offering a wide range of voice options.

💡Productivity

Productivity in the context of this video refers to the efficiency with which users can consume and understand text through the use of the Speechify app. The app enhances productivity by allowing users to adjust the reading speed to a level that suits their comprehension needs, with a maximum speed of 900 words per minute. The script mentions that an optimal speed for comprehension is between 200 and 400 words per minute.

💡Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a learning disorder that affects a person's ability to read fluently and accurately. The founder of Speechify created the app as a tool for people who struggle with reading due to dyslexia. The app's ability to read text aloud can be particularly helpful for dyslexic users, as it allows them to access information in a way that is less challenging for them.

💡Reading Speed

Reading speed in the video refers to the pace at which the Speechify app reads the text aloud to the user. The app offers a range of speeds, from a standard rate to an exceptionally fast 900 words per minute. However, the video points out that while a faster speed can boost productivity, it may not always enhance comprehension, suggesting an optimal range of 200 to 400 words per minute for effective listening.

💡Voice Samples

Voice samples in the context of Speechify are the different computer-generated voices that users can choose from to have their text read aloud. The video highlights the quality and variety of these voices, including some that are still in development, such as those resembling Gwyneth Paltrow and Barack Obama. These samples add a personal touch to the user's experience and can make the listening experience more engaging.

💡Chrome Extension

The Chrome extension is a feature of Speechify that allows users to utilize the app's services directly from the Google Chrome browser. The script mentions that with the extension, users can select text from any webpage, such as emails or articles, and have it read aloud through a small interface that appears in the corner of the browser.

💡Premium Users

Premium users in the video are those who have subscribed to Speechify's paid service, granting them access to additional features beyond the free version. These features include a higher word limit per month, access to a wider variety of voice samples, and the ability to skip specific text content. However, the video also notes that the premium service is limited and can be expensive.

💡Text Editing

Text editing in the video refers to the ability to modify the text that will be read aloud by the Speechify app. The mobile version of the app allows users to edit text directly within the app, which can be useful for removing unnecessary information or adding new content. Unfortunately, this feature is not available in the desktop version, where editing requires the use of the Chrome extension and Google Docs.

💡Content Skipping

Content skipping is a feature that allows users to specify parts of the text that should not be read aloud by the Speechify app. This can be particularly useful for academic papers or other documents that contain citations, parentheses, or URLs that may interrupt the flow of listening. The desktop version of Speechify has this feature, while the mobile version does not.

💡Subscription

Subscription in the context of the video refers to the payment model for accessing the premium features of the Speechify app. The annual subscription cost is mentioned as $139, which equates to approximately $11.58 per month if spread out. The video notes that there is no monthly subscription option, and the full fee must be paid in one lump sum annually.

💡User Reviews

User reviews are mentioned in the video as a source of feedback from individuals who have tried the Speechify app. The script notes that there are negative reviews regarding the app's free trial and subscription charges, with some users claiming they were charged for a year's subscription without receiving a refund or proper customer service.

Highlights

Speechify is an app that reads text out loud with computer-generated voices.

Alberto from Gradehacker reviews Speechify, a tool for people who struggle with reading.

Speechify is available for desktop, Chrome extension, and mobile app.

The app has a simple interface allowing users to add various document types.

Speechify's mobile app allows scanning of physical documents using the camera.

The app can read documents at speeds up to 900 words per minute.

Optimal reading speed for productivity is between 200 and 400 words per minute.

Speechify offers a variety of high-quality voice samples, including celebrity voices.

Premium users have a limit of 150,000 words per month for premium voices.

If the word limit is reached, users revert to less natural-sounding robot voices.

The mobile version allows direct text editing within the app.

Desktop version lacks text editing but can skip specific content.

Speechify's free version offers limited features but is sufficient for most students.

The premium version costs $139 annually and includes all features.

Some users have reported negative experiences with the free trial and billing.

Speechify is a growing app with room for improvement.

The app is recommended for those looking to improve productivity.

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