What’s New – Speechify Web App and Chrome Extension Fall 2024

Discover the latest features and updates in the Speechify Web App and Chrome Extension for Fall 2024.

Speechify is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in text to speech technology with its latest updates for Fall 2024. As the leader in the text to speech (TTS) industry, Speechify’s text to speech engine continues to improve how users listen, learn, and interact with digital content, offering solutions that enhance productivity, learning, and accessibility.

Whether it’s reading aloud a webpage, an email in Gmail, a product description on Amazon, or a detailed report for work, Speechify’s robust TTS technology ensures users experience high-quality, natural-sounding voices that feel as close to human speech as possible. With recent updates to its Web App and text to speech Chrome Extension, Speechify offers improved integration, real-time capabilities, and enhanced flexibility to ensure a seamless text to speech experience. Let’s take a closer look.

Speechify Web App Enhancements

Speechify’s Web App now includes several powerful updates that cater to users looking to optimize their text to speech experience. Here’s a deeper look at the latest features:

1. Ask AI - Generate Summaries and Chat with Your Document

Speechify’s all-new Ask AI feature is designed to transform how users engage with text-heavy documents. Leveraging cutting-edge artificial intelligence, it allows users to generate real-time and precise summaries of their files or engage in an interactive, chat-like conversation with their content to pull out key insights. This feature is a game-changer for busy students, researchers, and professionals who need to digest large amounts of information quickly as well as those with learning disabilities such as dyslexia who need extra study support.

• Real-time summaries: Upload documents like PDFs, Word files, or Google Docs directly into the Web App, and within seconds have them read aloud as well as receive concise summaries that cover the essential points. This feature significantly reduces the time spent skimming through lengthy reports, articles, or academic papers, helping users focus on the most relevant information without losing key details.
• Interactive chat functionality: Instead of spending hours combing through text, users can now interact directly with their documents. Users can get instant answers to specific questions, such as “What are the main conclusions?” or “What are the key data points in this report?” This update shows once again why Speechify is the best text to speech platform for users with learning and reading disabilities, such as dyslexia, who require extra support in comprehending dense text.

2. Revamped Listening Screen

The updated listening screen is tailored to provide users with a more immersive and engaging listening experience. The overhaul focuses on streamlining the user interface while offering more customization options.

• Enhanced user interface: The listening screen now features a sleek, intuitive design prioritizing ease of use. It’s optimized for reading content aloud from various sources like webpages, Google Docs, and emails, making it simpler to navigate through text.
• Real-time synchronization: Enjoy seamless synchronization across multiple devices, whether you're using a Windows PC, Mac, or Chromebook. You can pause your listening on one device and pick up exactly where you left off on another, allowing for uninterrupted reading sessions whether you’re at your desk or on the go.
• Personalized controls: Users can easily adjust reading speed, select different text to speech voices, and fine-tune settings to create a listening experience tailored to their preferences. Whether you prefer a faster pace for quick information absorption or a slower pace for comprehension, you have full control to match your needs.

3. Automatic Speed Ramping

Speechify’s new automatic speed ramping is designed to train users to listen faster while still retaining information. Starting at your chosen reading speed, Speechify’s automatic speed ramping feature can increase the speed by 10 words per minute for every 1,050 words. This gradual increase helps users adjust to listening at faster speeds without feeling overwhelmed, making it an ideal tool for professionals who need to absorb large volumes of information efficiently and boost productivity.

4. Seamless Integrations with Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, and Canvas

One of the most anticipated updates is the expanded integration with popular cloud storage services, allowing users to streamline their workflow without leaving the Speechify Web App.

• Direct import functionality: Users can connect their Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, and Canvas accounts directly to the Web App. This integration allows for quick access to stored files, enabling you to import documents with just a few clicks. Whether it's a class syllabus, project report, or research paper, you can start listening right away.
• Boosted productivity: The integration eliminates the need to download files to your device, saving both time and storage space. Users can listen to their documents, adjust playback speed, and even summarize content directly from the cloud, making it ideal for learners, educators, and busy professionals.

Speechify Text to Speech Chrome Extension Updates

Speechify’s text to speech Chrome Extension has also been upgraded with new features to provide greater control, customization, and flexibility across the Chrome browser. The latest updates include:

1. Pill Player Redesign

The Pill Player has been completely revamped to offer a cleaner, more compact interface, giving users greater control over how they listen to selected text on the web.

• Sleek and minimalistic design: The new Pill Player has a streamlined look that remains unobtrusive, so it doesn’t get in the way of your reading. It’s perfect for users who want to keep their focus on the content while still benefiting from text to speech functionality.
• Popup controls for easy access: With the updated controls, users can effortlessly play, pause, or adjust the reading speed and switch between voices without leaving the current webpage.

2. Full Control Over Text to Speech Chrome Extension Settings

The latest update to Speechify’s text to speech Chrome Extension provides more comprehensive settings to customize your experience according to your needs:

• Voice and speed pickers: The extension offers an expanded library of AI voices, including accents and languages like English, Spanish, and French, with adjustable speeds. Users can select a voice that best suits their content, whether it’s for academic articles, emails, or leisurely reading.
• Advanced permissions management: Users can control exactly which websites and content the extension can access, providing enhanced privacy and security. The updated permissions system ensures that users feel confident using Speechify, especially in work or educational environments.

3. Integrated Experiences on Popular AI Websites

Speechify’s text to speech Chrome Extension is now optimized to work seamlessly with ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and other major AI platforms. Users can instantly convert AI-generated responses into high-quality audio, making it easier to consume long-form responses while multitasking. This is ideal for professionals who use AI tools for research or brainstorming sessions.

Experience Speechify’s New Updates

These Speechify text to speech Chrome Extension and Web App updates are available across all major operating systems, platforms, and devices, including Windows, Chrome OS, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, providing a seamless experience for users on their preferred devices.

• Web support: Users can now enjoy enhanced text to speech functionality via the updated Speechify Web App through any browser, including Safari, Google Chrome, or Microsoft Edge without the need for additional add-ons.
• Google Chrome extension availability: The latest Speechify text to speech Chrome Extension can be easily downloaded from both the Chrome Web Store and Google Play Store.

FAQ

Is there a Chrome extension for text to speech?

Yes, Speechify offers a powerful Chrome Extension that turns any text into natural-sounding speech with just a click.

How do I turn on text to speech in Chrome?

Simply download the Speechify Chrome Extension from the Chrome Web Store, and start listening to any webpage or document by selecting the text.

What is the best text to speech extension for Chrome?

Speechify is the best text to speech extension for Chrome, providing high-quality voices, adjustable speeds, and seamless integration with popular platforms.

Can I get a Chrome extension that reads web pages aloud?

Absolutely—Speechify’s Chrome Extension can read any webpage aloud, making it perfect for multitasking or enjoying content hands-free.

Is the Speechify Chrome extension free?

Speechify offers flexible plans to suit different user needs. Try the free version to access core features and natural voices or the premium plans to unlock high-quality AI voices, expanded language support, and advanced integrations.

What is the best text to speech API?

While there are many text to speech APIs available including open source TTS APIs, Speechify’s API offers the most lifelike AI voices available on the market.