ElevenLabs Unveils Global Launch of Reader, Its Text-to-Speech Application

ElevenLabs, an innovative startup specializing in AI-driven technology for generating and manipulating synthetic voices, has now made its Reader application globally accessible, boasting compatibility with 32 different languages.

Initially launched in the U.S., U.K., and Canada in June, the application enables users to convert any written material — ranging from articles and PDFs to ebooks — into audible content in a variety of languages and vocal tones. The Reader app now accommodates numerous languages such as Portuguese, Spanish, French, Hindi, German, Japanese, Arabic, Korean, Italian, Tamil, and Swedish, among others.

Earlier this year, ElevenLabs achieved unicorn status following a fundraising round that generated $80 million, with contributions from noteworthy investors like Andreessen Horowitz. The firm offers an API that facilitates a wide range of applications, including dubbing and text-to-speech services. ElevenLabs’ technology is utilized in the Rabbit r1, enhances the AI-driven search engine Perplexity, and supports the audio features of Pocket FM and Kuku FM. The Reader application represents the company’s first offering directed at end-users.

The company recently enriched its application with an extensive selection of new voices, designed to cater to the diverse linguistic preferences of its users. In a notable move, ElevenLabs secured licensing agreements to use the voices of iconic figures such as Judy Garland, James Dean, Burt Reynolds, and Sir Laurence Olivier within the app.

The enhancement in language support stems from ElevenLabs’ release of its Turbo v2.5 model last month. This update is claimed to significantly decrease the delay in converting text to speech while also elevating the overall quality of the output.

Among the Reader app’s competitors is Speechify, which distinguishes itself with features that include document scanning, integration with services like Gmail and Canvas, and the option for users to replicate their own voice for audio playback. Other platforms such as the Mozilla-owned Pocket and The New York Times’ Audm-based audio application also offer content listening capabilities.

Looking ahead, ElevenLabs aims to further refine the app with new functionalities, including offline playback and the ability to disseminate audio clips.