ElevenLabs Launches Global AI Reader App with 32 Language Support

ElevenLabs, a startup known for its advanced AI-driven tools for creating and editing synthetic voices, has globally launched its Reader app, now supporting 32 languages. This expansion follows the app’s initial release in June in the U.S., U.K., and Canada.

Broad Language Support and Versatile Use Cases

The Reader app allows users to upload various text content, such as articles, PDFs, and e-books, and listen to them in different languages and voices. The app’s expanded language support now includes Portuguese, Spanish, French, Hindi, German, Japanese, Arabic, Korean, Italian, Tamil, and Swedish, among others.

From Unicorn Status to Consumer Products

Earlier this year, ElevenLabs achieved unicorn status after securing $80 million in funding from investors like Andreessen Horowitz. The company provides an API that businesses use for diverse applications, such as dubbing and text-to-speech services. The Reader app marks ElevenLabs’ first foray into the consumer market.

Enhanced Voices and Turbo v2.5 Technology

To enhance user experience, ElevenLabs has added hundreds of new voices to its library, catering to different languages. Last month, the company also licensed iconic voices, including those of Judy Garland, James Dean, Burt Reynolds, and Sir Laurence Olivier, for use in the app. The extended language support is powered by ElevenLabs’ Turbo v2.5 model, which reduces latency and improves the quality of text-to-speech conversion.

Competing in a Crowded Market

The Reader app faces competition from rivals like Speechify, which offers features such as document scanning, integrations with Gmail and Canvas, and the ability to clone users' voices for reading text. Other competitors include Mozilla-owned Pocket and The New York Times’ Audm-based audio app, both of which allow users to listen to content on demand.

Future Developments and Features

ElevenLabs plans to continue enhancing the Reader app with new features, including offline support and the ability to share audio snippets, aiming to further solidify its position in the market.