When Apple rolled out iOS 17 and macOS Sonoma in September 2023, the operating systems included a new feature, called Personal Voice, that’s invaluable for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) patients and others whose ability to speak is at risk. In just 15 minutes, users can bank their voices by reading a series of randomized text prompts. They can then sync their new synthesized voice across devices and type to speak in phone calls, video chats, and in-person conversations.
The concept of voice banking isn’t new, but traditional services can cost hundreds of dollars and require hours of recordings across multiple sessions. Apple’s version lowers the barriers to voice banking, and its integration across more than 2 billion devices—iPhones, iPads, and Macs—will help patients keep using their voice, even after they’ve lost the ability to speak.
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