ElevenLabs' Reader App Goes Global: Speak and Hear 32 Languages!

ElevenLabs, a company specializing in AI-powered tools for creating and editing synthetic voices, has announced the global availability of its Reader app, which now supports 32 languages. Initially launched in June for users in the U.S., U.K., and Canada, the Reader app allows individuals to upload various text content such as articles, PDF documents, or e-books and listen to them in multiple languages and different voices. With the expansion, supported languages now include Portuguese, Spanish, French, Hindi, German, Japanese, Arabic, Korean, Italian, Tamil, and Swedish.

The app has been well-received and is powered by ElevenLabs' Turbo v2.5 model, which significantly reduces the latency of text-to-speech conversion while also improving audio quality. This advanced model has been instrumental in providing users with a seamless and efficient way to consume text-based information audibly.

ElevenLabs, a unicorn startup that raised $80 million in funding earlier this year from notable investors such as Andreessen Horowitz, continues to expand its market presence. The company's offerings are not limited to the Reader app. Its API is utilized in various applications, including dubbing and text-to-speech for platforms such as the Rabbit r1, AI-powered search engine Perplexity, and audio services like Pocket FM and Kuku FM.

One of the standout features of the Reader app is its extensive new library of voices tailored for different languages. Recently, ElevenLabs took it a step further by licensing the voices of famous actors like Judy Garland, James Dean, Burt Reynolds, and Sir Laurence Olivier, making the listening experience even more engaging and nostalgic.

The new language support and advanced features come amid stiff competition from other text-to-speech and audio content providers. For example, Speechify offers additional functionalities such as document text scanning, integration with Gmail and Canvas, and even the ability for users to clone their own voices. Mozilla-owned Pocket and The New York Times’ Audm-based audio app are also key competitors in this growing market.

Looking ahead, ElevenLabs plans to add more features to the Reader app, such as offline support and the ability to share audio snippets. These enhancements aim to provide users with more flexibility and convenience, further enriching the user experience. By continuously innovating, ElevenLabs seeks to maintain its competitive edge in the rapidly evolving field of AI-driven text-to-speech technology.