Speechify Review | An App That Instantly Reads Texts For You

Gradehacker
27 May 202207:47

TLDRSpeechify is an app designed to read text aloud with various digital voices, ideal for those with reading difficulties. It offers desktop, mobile, and Chrome extension versions with intuitive interfaces, allowing users to upload documents and adjust reading speed and voice preferences. The app stands out for its high-speed reading capability, up to 900 words per minute, though optimal productivity is found between 200-400 words per minute. Speechify includes premium voices and multilingual options but has a word limit for premium users. While the free version is sufficient for basic needs, the premium version at $139 annually offers more features but may be considered pricey for some. The app is still evolving and shows potential for further enhancement.

Takeaways

  • 📚 Speechify is an app designed to read text aloud, created by a founder with dyslexia to assist those who struggle with reading.
  • 🖥️ The app is available for desktop, mobile, and as a Chrome extension, offering a straightforward user interface.
  • 📚 Users can upload PDFs, text documents, and even entire web pages, or scan physical books with the mobile app.
  • 🔍 The app includes a feature to scan documents with the phone camera, which was found to be fairly accurate despite minor errors.
  • 🎧 Once a document is selected, Speechify reads the text aloud, allowing users to control playback, speed, and voice selection.
  • 🌐 The Chrome extension allows users to read text from any webpage, including emails, articles, and Google Docs.
  • 🚀 Speechify boasts a high reading speed of up to 900 words per minute, though the most comprehensible range is between 200 and 400 words per minute.
  • 🗣️ The app offers a variety of voice samples, including some that are not yet fully developed, such as those mimicking Gwyneth Paltrow and Barack Obama.
  • 🌐 Speechify supports multiple languages, but premium voices are limited to 150,000 words per month for premium users.
  • 💰 The app has a free version with limited features and a premium version with an annual subscription cost of $139, but no monthly subscription option.
  • ✍️ The mobile version allows direct text editing, while the desktop version requires the Chrome extension for editing and additional features like content skipping.

Q & A

  • What is Speechify and what does it do?

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

  • Who is the founder of Speechify and why was it created?

    -The founder of Speechify has dyslexia and created the app to help people who struggle with reading.

  • What platforms is Speechify available on?

    -Speechify is available as a desktop application, a Chrome extension, and a mobile app.

  • How does the user 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. It also allows scanning documents with a phone camera.

  • What are some unique features of Speechify's mobile app?

    -The mobile app allows users to scan documents with their phone camera, which is a feature not available on the desktop version.

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

    -Users can control the reading by pausing, skipping sentences, changing the reading speed, picking the voice sample, and selecting if they want to skip specific text content.

  • What is the purpose of the Chrome extension for Speechify?

    -The Chrome extension allows users to read any text on a webpage, such as emails, newspaper articles, or Google Docs files, by clicking on the extension button.

  • What is the maximum reading speed in Speechify and how does it affect understanding?

    -The maximum reading speed in Speechify is 900 words per minute, but this speed is too fast to understand. A more effective speed range for understanding is between 200 and 400 words per minute.

  • What are some notable voice samples available in Speechify?

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

  • What are the limitations of Speechify's premium voices?

    -Premium users can listen to up to 150,000 words per month. If this limit is reached, users will have to use the less natural-sounding robot voices.

  • How much does Speechify cost and what is included in the premium version?

    -Speechify has an annual subscription cost of $139 for the premium version, which includes access to all features such as increased reading speed, a variety of voice samples, and the ability to skip specific content.

  • What are some potential drawbacks of Speechify's premium version?

    -While the premium version offers many features, its annual price may be considered high by some users, and there have been reports of negative experiences with the free trial and customer service.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Speechify App Overview and Features

Speechify is a versatile app designed to assist users with reading difficulties, particularly those with dyslexia. It offers a desktop and mobile platform, allowing users to upload and read various document types, including PDFs, text files, and even web pages. The app features a user-friendly interface with options to scan documents using a phone camera, making it accessible for both digital and physical texts. Users can control the reading process by pausing, skipping sentences, adjusting the reading speed, and selecting from a range of computer-generated voices. The app also includes a Chrome extension for easy access to reading features on any webpage. Speechify stands out for its high reading speed capability, which can be adjusted up to 900 words per minute, although the optimal productivity boost is found between 200 and 400 words per minute. Additionally, the app offers a variety of voice samples, some of which mimic famous personalities like Gwyneth Paltrow and Barack Obama, adding a unique touch to the user experience. However, premium voices are limited, with a cap of 150,000 words per month for premium users, after which users revert to less refined robot voices.

05:02

💳 Speechify Pricing and User Experience

Speechify offers a free version with limited access to robot voices and a maximum reading speed of 400 words per minute, along with basic content skipping features. A three-day free trial is available, granting access to premium features, but there have been user complaints about being charged for a one-year subscription after the trial without receiving a refund or adequate customer service. The premium version, costing $139 annually, provides access to all features discussed, including a wider range of voice samples and higher reading speeds. Users have noted that while the premium version enhances the reading experience with more realistic voice samples, the annual fee might be considered high, especially considering the app's ongoing development and potential for further improvement. The video concludes with a call to action for viewers to subscribe for more college-related tips and a suggestion to explore other reviewed services like Chegg and CourseHero for additional academic tools.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Speechify

Speechify is an app designed to read text aloud using a variety of computer-generated voices. It is particularly useful for individuals with dyslexia or those who prefer to consume content aurally. In the video, Speechify is presented as a tool that can enhance productivity by allowing users to listen to texts at increased speeds and with customizable voice options, making it central to the video's theme of educational technology.

💡Productivity

Productivity in this context refers to the efficiency with which individuals can consume and understand information. The video discusses how Speechify's features, such as adjustable reading speeds, can improve productivity by allowing users to listen to texts more quickly, which is a key point in evaluating the app's usefulness for students and professionals.

💡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 those who struggle with reading, which is a significant aspect of the app's purpose and target audience. The video highlights this by mentioning the app's utility for dyslexic users.

💡Reading Speed

Reading speed is the rate at which text is read or, in the case of Speechify, the rate at which text is spoken aloud. The video script mentions that Speechify can increase reading speed up to 900 words per minute, although it suggests that a more practical and comprehensible range is between 200 and 400 words per minute.

💡Voice Samples

Voice samples in Speechify refer to the different computer-generated voices that users can choose from to have text read aloud. The video emphasizes the quality and variety of these voices, including some that模仿名人的声音, such as Gwyneth Paltrow and Barack Obama, which adds a unique feature to the app.

💡Chrome Extension

The Chrome extension is a feature of Speechify that integrates with the Google Chrome web browser, allowing users to have text from any webpage read aloud. The video script describes how this extension works, highlighting its intuitive interface and the convenience it offers for accessing Speechify's functionality across the web.

💡Premium Users

Premium users are those who have subscribed to Speechify's paid service, granting them access to additional features beyond the free version. The video discusses the limitations of the free version and the benefits of the premium service, such as listening to up to 150,000 words per month with high-quality voice samples.

💡Text Editing

Text editing in the context of Speechify refers to the ability to modify the text that will be read aloud. The video mentions that this feature is available in the mobile version of the app, allowing users to add or remove content, which is beneficial for tailoring the listening experience to their needs.

💡Content Skipping

Content skipping is the feature that allows users to avoid certain parts of the text during the reading process. The video points out that the desktop version of Speechify can skip specific content like citations and URLs, which can improve the listening experience by reducing interruptions.

💡Subscription

A subscription in the context of Speechify refers to the payment model for accessing the app's premium features. The video script explains that there is an annual subscription cost of $139, which some users might find expensive, and that currently, there is no option for a monthly subscription.

💡User Reviews

User reviews are feedback and evaluations from individuals who have used Speechify. The video mentions some negative reviews regarding the app's subscription model and customer service, which is an important consideration for potential users when deciding whether to try the app.

Highlights

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

It is designed for people who struggle with reading, including those with dyslexia.

Speechify is available as a desktop and mobile app.

Users can add PDFs, text documents, and even upload entire web pages.

The app allows scanning of physical documents using the phone camera.

Documents can be read with a variety of voice samples, including those that sound like celebrities.

The Chrome extension lets users read text from any webpage.

Reading speed can be increased up to 900 words per minute, but 200-400 words per minute is more comprehensible.

Speechify offers a free plan with limited features and a premium plan with more extensive capabilities.

The premium plan has a limit of 150,000 words per month for premium voices.

Reaching the word limit reverts users to robot voices similar to Google translator.

The mobile version allows direct text editing, while the desktop version requires using Google Docs.

The desktop version can skip specific content like citations and URLs, unlike the mobile version.

There is a three-day free trial for premium features, but some users have reported issues with billing and customer service.

The annual subscription for the premium plan is $139, paid in one lump sum.

Speechify is considered an excellent app for productivity, especially for students.

The free plan allows increasing the reading speed up to 250 words per minute.

The premium version has a lot of realistic-sounding voice samples, but the understanding of text is not enhanced by natural voice likeness.

Speechify is still a growing app with room for improvement.