Speechify, traditionally known for its text-to-speech capabilities, is expanding its offerings by integrating advanced voice typing and a conversational AI assistant into its Chrome extension. This strategic move capitalizes on the recent surge in high-quality speech recognition models, positioning Speechify as a more comprehensive voice-driven productivity tool.
The new voice typing feature, currently supporting English, functions similarly to other dictation tools, offering real-time error correction and the removal of filler words for cleaner text output.
Early tests suggest that while the voice typing performs adequately on platforms like Gmail and Google Docs, its functionality on other sites, such as WordPress, requires further optimization. The company acknowledges this, stating that gradual optimization for popular websites is underway. Initial accuracy assessments indicate a higher word error rate compared to competitors like Wispr Flow, Willow, and Monologue. However, Speechify emphasizes that its underlying AI model is designed to improve and reduce errors with increased user interaction.
Complementing the voice typing, Speechify is also rolling out a conversational voice assistant. Integrated directly into the browser's sidebar, this AI tool allows users to ask questions about the current webpage content, such as summarizing key ideas or simplifying complex information.
Speechify aims to differentiate its voice assistant from established AI platforms like ChatGPT and Gemini by prioritizing a voice-first interaction. Rohan Pavuluri, Speechify's Chief Business Officer, explained to TechCrunch, "We believe that chat will always be the default user experience in ChatGPT and Gemini... Voice will always be secondary – and in many cases, an afterthought. We know... there’s a large portion of the market... who want voice as the primary, default setting every time they open an app and talk to AI." This strategy positions Speechify as a dedicated solution for users who prefer voice as their primary mode of interaction with AI.
Currently, the Speechify assistant faces compatibility challenges with browsers that feature their own integrated sidebar assistants, such as OpenAI’s Atlas, Perplexity’s Comet, and Dia. However, the company remains unfazed, focusing its efforts on Chrome's extensive user base. Looking ahead, Speechify plans to gradually roll out both voice typing and the voice assistant across all its desktop and mobile applications.
The startup also revealed ambitions to develop advanced AI agents capable of performing complex tasks on behalf of users, such as scheduling appointments or handling customer support calls – a goal also being pursued by companies like Truecaller and Cloaked.
