*** 2016 Starbucks Pick of the Week *** Too busy to read articles from your favorite websites? Sit back, relax, and listen up as news from any website is magically read back at you with adjustable speeds and multiple accents.
How it works? Just link any article in Speaky. It will extract the main content, detect the language and read it out loud to you. You can retrieve content from your favorite websites or from the cloud.
"Articles in your Speaky queue play without an internet connection, so you can breeze through a New Yorker treatise as you ride the subway or catch up on world news on your next international flight." - New York Magazine
"Speaky is a handy tool that helps you multitask by listening instead of reading. Whether it’s an entertaining article on the Web or an important PDF for work, you can give your eyes a rest or just get more done with this intuitive voice reader." - AppAdvice
"The Pocket integration really makes it a lot easier to catch up on those articles you put off on reading." - Lifehacker
What’s New
Version History
3.35
This update includes bug fixes for iOS 11.
Please note: There is a bug for devices running iOS 11 that adds a delay before the player is able to speak. I've sent a bug report to Apple back in November 2017 and I hope for a fix in a future release of iOS. I'm still working on most of the bugs you guys have reported to me, but I wanted to say a quick thank you for your feedback and your support!
Speaky never prompts you for a review because I don't want to interrupt you. I know that if you’re enjoying Speaky, you will take a minute to leave a review. They’re greatly appreciated and the 5 stars are really helpful. If you've previously left a review, I'd appreciate it if you would repost it as reviews are reset with every update. Thanks for your support!
3.34
This update includes bug fixes for iOS 11.
Please note: There is a bug for devices running iOS 11 that adds a delay before the player is able to speak. I've sent a bug report to Apple back in November 2017 and I hope for a fix in a future release of iOS. I'm still working on most of the bugs you guys have reported to me, but I wanted to say a quick thank you for your feedback and your support!
Speaky never prompts you for a review because I don't want to interrupt you. I know that if you’re enjoying Speaky, you will take a minute to leave a review. They’re greatly appreciated and the 5 stars are really helpful. If you've previously left a review, I'd appreciate it if you would repost it as reviews are reset with every update. Thanks for your support!
3.33
This update includes bug fixes for iOS 11 and the following changes: • Restored support for iPhone X • When reading multiple entries (Read All Entries), you can now switch between entries using the "Jump To" button.
Please note: There is a bug for devices running iOS 11 that adds a delay before the player is able to speak. I've sent a bug report to Apple back in November 2017 and I hope for a fix in a future release of iOS. I'm still working on most of the bugs you guys have reported to me, but I wanted to say a quick thank you for your feedback and your support!
Speaky never prompts you for a review because I don't want to interrupt you. I know that if you’re enjoying Speaky, you will take a minute to leave a review. They’re greatly appreciated and the 5 stars are really helpful. If you've previously left a review, I'd appreciate it if you would repost it as reviews are reset with every update. Thanks for your support!
3.32
This update includes bug fixes for iOS 11 and the following changes: • [BUG] Accidentally removed support for iPhone X in this version (Oops, will be back in a few days!) • When reading multiple entries (Read All Entries), you can now switch between entries using the "Jump To" button.
Please note: There is a bug for devices running iOS 11 that adds a delay before the player is able to speak. I've sent a bug report to Apple back in November 2017 and I hope for a fix in a future release of iOS. I'm still working on most of the bugs you guys have reported to me, but I wanted to say a quick thank you for your feedback and your support!
Speaky never prompts you for a review because I don't want to interrupt you. I know that if you’re enjoying Speaky, you will take a minute to leave a review. They’re greatly appreciated and the 5 stars are really helpful. If you've previously left a review, I'd appreciate it if you would repost it as reviews are reset with every update. Thanks for your support!
3.31
This update includes bug fixes for iOS 11 and the following changes: • Support for iPhone X • New swipe action to Pin lists on top • New Sources option to add RSS feeds
Please note: There is a bug for devices running iOS 11 that adds a delay before the player is able to speak. I've sent a bug report to Apple and I hope for a fix in a future release of iOS. I'm still working on most of the bugs you guys have reported to me, but I wanted to say a quick thank you for your feedback and your support!
Speaky never prompts you for a review because I don't want to interrupt you. I know that if you’re enjoying Speaky, you will take a minute to leave a review. They’re greatly appreciated and the 5 stars are really helpful. If you've previously left a review, I'd appreciate it if you would repost it as reviews are reset with every update. Thanks for your support!
3.3
This update includes bug fixes for iOS 11 and the following changes: • Support for iPhone X • New swipe action to Pin lists on top • New Sources option to add RSS feeds
Please note: There is a bug for devices running iOS 11 that adds a delay before the player is able to speak. I've sent a bug report to Apple and I hope for a fix in a future release of iOS. I'm still working on most of the bugs you guys have reported to me, but I wanted to say a quick thank you for your feedback and your support!
Speaky never prompts you for a review because I don't want to interrupt you. I know that if you’re enjoying Speaky, you will take a minute to leave a review. They’re greatly appreciated and the 5 stars are really helpful. If you've previously left a review, I'd appreciate it if you would repost it as reviews are reset with every update. Thanks for your support!
3.02
This update includes bug fixes and minor changes to the "Shades" theme.
Speaky never prompts you for a review because I don't want to interrupt you. I know that if you’re enjoying Speaky, you will take a minute to leave a review. They’re greatly appreciated and the 5 stars are really helpful. If you've previously left a review, I'd appreciate it if you would repost it as reviews are reset with every update. Thanks for your support!
3.01
This update includes bug fixes and the following changes: - New themes: Shades (Grey) and Royal (Dark Blue) - New button to minimize the player when reading an entry - Player buttons are now more visible with action descriptions - Pocket entries now have the same design than regular entries
3.0
This update is a major release with some great new features and improvements to the overall experience.
== Reading Lists == • Multiple selection support (Move, Delete, Read all) • Swipe actions (Mark As, Edit Text, Delete) • Automatic sync of your favorite entries with Apple Watch • 3D Touch to get a preview of your entries and reading lists • Home screen quick actions: Read Inbox, Read Favorites, Create Entry • Option to show the number of unread entries on the badge app icon
== Audio Player == • Revamped player with bigger controls • Change the voice and accent on-the-fly • Audio controls for Speed Reading mode • Smart scrolling with highlighted text always in the middle
== Voice Settings == • Support for enhanced voices • Support for special voices like Alex • Preferred settings for voices and accents • More fine-tuned control of the voice rate • New tutorial: “Download new voices”
In addition to these new features, Speaky is now fully localized in French, Portuguese and Spanish.
Speaky will never interrupt you for ratings when you're using it. If you’re enjoying Speaky and use it daily, would you mind taking a moment to write a review? They’re greatly appreciated and even just the 5 stars are really helpful. Thank you so much for your support!
2.8.1
This update includes bug fixes and improvements for iOS 9.
I’m working really hard on the next major update of Speaky, version 3.0, that will include the following improvements: Better text extraction and language detection, Multiple selection, Revamped audio player with better controls, More precise settings for the voice rate and text highlighting. Please let me know what you think!
Speaky will never interrupt you for ratings when you're using it. If you’re enjoying Speaky and use it daily, would you mind taking a moment to write (or repost) a review? They’re greatly appreciated and even just the 5 stars are really helpful. Thank you so much for your support!
2.8
Hello again to all the new users from the January 2016 Starbucks Pick of the Week!
This major update is all about Apple Watch: • New design to improve navigation • Better live data sync with the paired iPhone • Bigger and better controls for the audio player • Improved background audio support (First launch & Glance)
If you’re enjoying Speaky and use it daily, would you mind taking a moment to write (or repost) a review? They’re greatly appreciated and even just the 5 stars are really helpful. Thank you so much for your support!
2.7.2
Hello to all the new users from the January 2016 Starbucks Pick of the Week!
This small update includes minor bug fixes and improvements. I'm currently working on a major redesign of the Apple Watch app and I'm also working on an updated version of the iOS app based on your great feedback.
If you like Speaky and use it daily, would you mind taking a minute to write a review on the App Store? I'd greatly appreciate it. Thank you very much for your support!
2.7.1
Bug fixes and improvements for iOS 9.
2.7
I've been working on this update for a long time and most of the effort was spent on implementing one of the most requested feature. Speaky has always been the best way to read web articles, but what about your own documents? Wouldn't it be great if you could do the same thing for that presentation that you have been working on in MS Word? Or maybe you want to read that 100 page long PDF? Introducing Document Picker.
== Document Picker == • Extract text from the most popular text formats such as PDF, Plain text, MS Word, MS Powerpoint, RTF and HTML • Pick documents from any cloud service that implements a document provider extension such as iCloud Drive, Dropbox and OneDrive • You don't need to enter your credentials. The document picker uses the installed app of the cloud service to authenticate, download and import files
== User Interface == • New San Francisco font • New progress HUD with light and dark mode • New Swipe Actions for entries: Unread, Retain • Reading list name now displayed in the Now Playing center • Updated introduction panels and tutorials to include the document picker
If you like Speaky, would you mind taking a minute to write a review on the App Store? I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks for your support!
2.6.2
This update includes under-the-hood improvements to prepare the next big update for iOS 9.
2.6.1
This update fixes all the bugs you guys have reported, thank you so much for your reports!
And of course all the awesome features added in Speaky 2.6: • Settings can now be accessed directly from the player (upper right button) • Better local extraction with updated algorithm • Manual text entries can now be shared • New "Edit Entry" option in Quick Options • Voice Rate can now be lower • New PDF files support • New Speed Reading mode • New Current Theme setting • New Voice Volume setting • New Text Highlighting Color setting • New Default Mode setting • New Carinal Red theme • Minor bug fixes
NOTE Speaky never prompts you for a review because I don't want to interrupt you. I know that if you’re enjoying Speaky, you will take a minute to leave a review. They’re greatly appreciated and the 5 stars are really helpful. If you've previously left a review, I'd appreciate it if you would repost it as reviews are reset with every update. Thanks for your support!
2.6
I’m working hard on Speaky and today I have some great new features to introduce based on your feedback: • Settings can now be accessed directly from the player (upper right button) • Better local extraction with updated algorithm • Manual text entries can now be shared • New "Edit Entry" option in Quick Options • Voice Rate can now be lower • New PDF files support • New Speed Reading mode • New Current Theme setting • New Voice Volume setting • New Text Highlighting Color setting • New Default Mode setting • New Carinal Red theme • Minor bug fixes
NOTE Speaky never prompts you for a review because I don't want to interrupt you. I know that if you’re enjoying Speaky, you will take a minute to leave a review. They’re greatly appreciated and the 5 stars are really helpful. If you've previously left a review, I'd appreciate it if you would repost it as reviews are reset with every update. Thanks for your support!
2.5
I’m still working really hard on the next major update of the app (Speaky 3.0) and I can’t wait to share the final result with you. But for now, I have some major fixes based on your feedback: • Removed iCloud sync due to data loss • Performance fixes for the Apple Watch app • Better local extraction with updated algorithm • Fixed a ton of bugs that made Speaky crash
Speaky should be much more stable now and you will no longer experience crashes or data loss. I will work on a better syncing solution for a future release of the app, but for now I prefer to play it safe and remove this feature entirely. Thank you all for your feedback.
--- NOTE --- Speaky never prompts you for a review because I don't want to interrupt you. I know that if you’re enjoying Speaky, you will take a minute to leave a review. They’re greatly appreciated and the 5 stars are really helpful. If you've previously left a review, I'd appreciate it if you would repost it as reviews are reset with every update. Thanks for your support!
2.4
I’m working really hard on the next major update of the app (Speaky 3.0) and I can’t wait to share the final result with you. But for now, I have some fixes based on your feedback: • Enhanced local extraction • Added a setting to disable Apple Watch sync • Added a setting to disable local extraction • Performance fixes for the Apple Watch app • Settings are no longer erased after an update • Minor bug fixes
Don't hesitate to push the "Support" button in settings to send your feedback and help me improve the app. I always take your feedback very seriously and your suggestions can really make a difference for future updates.
Speaky never prompts you for a review because I don't want to interrupt you. I know that if you’re enjoying Speaky, you will take a minute to leave a review. They’re greatly appreciated and the 5 stars are really helpful. If you've previously left a review, I'd appreciate it if you would repost it as reviews are reset with every update. Thanks for your support!
2.3
Speaky never prompts you for a review because I don't want to interrupt you. I know that if you’re enjoying Speaky, you will take a minute to leave a review. They’re greatly appreciated and the 5 stars are really helpful. If you've previously left a review, I'd appreciate it if you would repost it as reviews are reset with every update. Thanks for your support!
This update adds awesome new features that I've been working on for a long time: • Apple Watch app: Control the entire Speaky experience directly from your wrist. Browse your reading lists, Start playing an entry, Control the audio playback, Change settings, Delete entries and Create new ones (using voice dictation) without pulling your iPhone out of your pocket. • iCloud Sync: Sync your reading lists and entries across all your iOS devices. • Local Extraction: Faster extraction using a lightweight version of the text extraction algorithm. • Automatic Post for the Share Extension after 5 seconds. • Minor bug fixes.
NOTE: Make sure you give Speaky enough time to sync your entries when you first launch this update. Consider the app fully synced when the upper left spinning wheel (the one next to the WiFi/Cellular icon) disappears.
2.2
Speaky never prompts you for a review because I don't want to interrupt you. I know that if you’re enjoying Speaky, you will take a minute to leave a review. They’re greatly appreciated and the 5 stars are really helpful. If you've previously left a review, I'd appreciate it if you would repost it as reviews are reset with every update. Thanks for your support!
What’s new in Speaky 2.2? • Spoken text is now highlighted • Auto-scroll so spoken text is always visible • Fixed a performance issue for users with massive Reading Lists • Fixed a bug for unwanted scroll in Edit mode
What’s coming soon? • iCloud Sync: This feature is almost ready to be shipped. It got delayed due to a new device that I have to support, but you will soon be able to access your entries from you phone, tablet and also from your wrist. • Translations: I'm working with translators to make the app available in French, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Portuguese and Russian. More to come later.
2.1
Thank you so much for your support! This update adds minor improvements to the Today Widget and the main app in general in order to prepare the next big update.
What’s new in Speaky 2.1? • Manual Entries now only requires a title to be created • New "Unread" and "In Progress" filters for entries • Entries get automatically deleted after completion • New "Retain" and "Release" options in Quick Actions • New settings and tutorial to manage the auto-deletion • New Support option (in settings) to contact me directly • Today Widget now only displays information about Unread entries
What’s coming soon? • iCloud Sync: This feature is almost ready to be shipped. It got delayed due to a new device that I have to support, but you will soon be able to access your entries from you phone, tablet and also from your wrist. • Translations: I'm working with translators to make the app available in French, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Portuguese and Russian. More to come later.
Speaky never prompts you for a review because I don't want to interrupt you. I know that if you’re enjoying Speaky, you will take a minute to leave a review. They’re greatly appreciated and the 5 stars are really helpful. Thank you in advance!
2.0
Thank you so much for your support! I worked really hard on this new version and most of the features I wanted to add are now available. Speaky now takes great advantage of iOS 8 and the new iPhone 6/Plus layout. This update adds user interface enhancements, but also new functionalities to let you manage and add new entries more easily.
What’s new in Speaky 2.0? • New App Icon • New Split View for iPad • New Voice supported: Hebrew (Israel) • New Report system to request text extraction rules • New Dark Mode for better comfort in low-light scenarios • New Quick Action options to Manage and Move entries • New Share Extension to add entries from other apps • New Today Widget to get a quick overview of your reading list • New Handoff support to continue your readings between devices • New Entry view with better Text editing and Keyboard handling • New Tutorials to help you master all the new features • Fixed a bug where entries would not be correctly sorted • Fixed a bug where "Read All" entries would not be automatically deleted • Fixed a bug where Play/Pause events would not work with Bluetooth headsets or Earpods
What’s coming soon? • iCloud Sync: This key feature is already implemented and in fact Speaky 2.0 is already iCloud-capable, but due to data loss report by some beta testers (because of iCloud Drive migration issue), I prefer to play it safe and do more testing. I’m working with Apple on this issue and I expect this feature to be available very soon. • Faster Share Extension: Instead of using the standard view, Speaky will have a 1-tap sharing experience so you don’t have to tap “Post” every time. • iPhone 6 Plus Split View: I’m working on a better user experience for the iPhone 6 Plus that will use the iPad layout for landscape.
Speaky never prompts you for a review because I don't want to interrupt you. I know that if you’re enjoying Speaky, you will take a minute to leave a review. They’re greatly appreciated and the 5 stars are really helpful. Thank you in advance!
1.7
This new quick update is the last one before the massive 2.0 update. This one is all about iPad fixes for the following bugs: • Wrong navigation bar color for iOS 7 devices • No Text Editor when choosing the "Add Manual Entry” option • No Entry Mode when tapping the quick edit button • No Web Version of the original article • Crash when sharing articles
The Speaky 2.0 update is currently in beta testing and it should be available soon! It will bring awesome features such as iCloud syncing, Today Widget, Share Extension for third-party apps, Handoff support, Native iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus layout, Split View for iPad and so much more. Stay tuned!
Speaky never prompts you for a review, because I don't want to interrupt you. I know that if you’re enjoying Speaky, you will take a minute to leave a review. They’re greatly appreciated and the 5 stars are really helpful. Thank you in advance!
1.6
This new quick update fixes the following bugs: • No background audio for some iOS 8 devices • No voice when a preferred language is not selected • User interface glitches on iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus
I have another quick update coming soon that will fix the following bugs for iPad users: • Wrong navigation bar color for iOS 7 devices • No Text Editor when choosing the "Add Manual Entry” option • No Entry Mode when tapping the quick edit button • No Web Version of the original article • Crash when sharing articles
I'm also still working very hard on the Speaky 2.0 update. It will bring awesome features such as iCloud syncing, Today Widget, Share Extension for third-party apps and native iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus layout support. Stay tuned!
NOTE: I will no longer prompt you to write a review. I know that if you’re enjoying Speaky, you will take a minute to leave a review. They’re greatly appreciated and the 5 stars are really helpful.
Version 3.35
This update includes bug fixes for iOS 11.
Please note: There is a bug for devices running iOS 11 that adds a delay before the player is able to speak. I've sent a bug report to Apple back in November 2017 and I hope for a fix in a future release of iOS. I'm still working on most of the bugs you guys have reported to me, but I wanted to say a quick thank you for your feedback and your support!
Speaky never prompts you for a review because I don't want to interrupt you. I know that if you’re enjoying Speaky, you will take a minute to leave a review. They’re greatly appreciated and the 5 stars are really helpful. If you've previously left a review, I'd appreciate it if you would repost it as reviews are reset with every update. Thanks for your support!
Ratings and Reviews
4.4 out of 5
87 Ratings
87 Ratings
Sarsi819
,
Issue with article titles!
***Update*** Please fix the compatibility issues with article titles. When trying to use the “read all entries” feature, an endless string of html appears and the app crashes. I’m not sure if it is an issue solely with the websites I’m using or if it’s something you can fix on your end. I would really like to be able to listen to multiple articles at once again. Thanks!
Speaky had been one of my favorite apps! I’m constantly driving and this app allows me to catch up on my article reading while on the road. I’ve noticed more instances of compatibility issues with webpages and the app crashes often without rhyme or reason. Please release an update soon fixing these issues! I would give it 5 stars if I could!
Sarsi819
,
Issue with article titles!
***Update*** Please fix the compatibility issues with article titles. When trying to use the “read all entries” feature, an endless string of html appears and the app crashes. I’m not sure if it is an issue solely with the websites I’m using or if it’s something you can fix on your end. I would really like to be able to listen to multiple articles at once again. Thanks!
Speaky had been one of my favorite apps! I’m constantly driving and this app allows me to catch up on my article reading while on the road. I’ve noticed more instances of compatibility issues with webpages and the app crashes often without rhyme or reason. Please release an update soon fixing these issues! I would give it 5 stars if I could!
Blaeref
,
Super helpful!
Where has this app been all my life? I am a busy professional and often find myself in the car waiting for the next red light so I can read the article that i found on the web but haven't had time to finish reading yet. Speaky reads the article aloud for me while I am driving. I love it!
Only con is that speaky reads right through periods with almost no pause. It pauses at commas the way I want it to pause at periods. The pause at commas could be about 2/3 as long as it is. Wish Speaky would pause at periods - or even let me dial in how long to pause at different types of punctuation.
Over all a great productivity tool - well worth the $3.99 I spent on it.
Blaeref
,
Super helpful!
Where has this app been all my life? I am a busy professional and often find myself in the car waiting for the next red light so I can read the article that i found on the web but haven't had time to finish reading yet. Speaky reads the article aloud for me while I am driving. I love it!
Only con is that speaky reads right through periods with almost no pause. It pauses at commas the way I want it to pause at periods. The pause at commas could be about 2/3 as long as it is. Wish Speaky would pause at periods - or even let me dial in how long to pause at different types of punctuation.
Over all a great productivity tool - well worth the $3.99 I spent on it.
dwiley1
,
Piece of junk—doesn’t work
Once I load the text file and choose it in the side bar to be read out loud, the app hangs. It freezes and I can’t do anything but force-quit the app and try again —only to experience the same problem over and over. It freezes with the sidebar half covering the page to be read. Also, no easy way of changing voice or speed or hearing a preview or soundbite to see if you like it. You have to blindly choose your settings then load a page to read to hear if you like the voice settings. If not, the app has already frozen by now and you have to force-quit. It’s very frustrating.
I wouldn’t recommend this app to any one. I’ve already deleted it from my device. I hope this candid review helps any one looking to purchase this dud. Don’t do it!
dwiley1
,
Piece of junk—doesn’t work
Once I load the text file and choose it in the side bar to be read out loud, the app hangs. It freezes and I can’t do anything but force-quit the app and try again —only to experience the same problem over and over. It freezes with the sidebar half covering the page to be read. Also, no easy way of changing voice or speed or hearing a preview or soundbite to see if you like it. You have to blindly choose your settings then load a page to read to hear if you like the voice settings. If not, the app has already frozen by now and you have to force-quit. It’s very frustrating.
I wouldn’t recommend this app to any one. I’ve already deleted it from my device. I hope this candid review helps any one looking to purchase this dud. Don’t do it!
