We are less than three weeks away from Apple's WWDC 2023 keynote, detailing all the new features coming to the next major software updates and possibly some new hardware announcements. Ahead of the keynote, Apple shared a preview of some of the features coming later this year, including one allowing your iPhones the option to speak in your voice.
In a press release, Apple detailed numerous new accessibility features that will assist those who lost the ability to speak, have low vision, or are blind. Apple's Personal Voice feature will allow users to create a synthesized voice that sounds like the iPhone and iPad users. Apple says you can activate the voice by recording 15 minutes of audio on your device using a set of randomized text prompts, as shown in the image below.
Outside of Personal Voice, another accessibility feature for those that lost their ability to speak is Live Speech, which will allow iPhone, iPad, and Mac users that are either conversing in-person or through a FaceTime or phone call to type what they want to say and have it spoke out loud. It will include an option to save commonly used phrases.
"Accessibility is part of everything we do at Apple," Sarah Herrlinger, Apple's senior director of Global Accessibility Policy and Initiatives, said in the press release. "These groundbreaking features were designed with feedback from members of disability communities every step of the way to support a diverse set of users and help people connect in new ways."
Apple notes these new accessibility features and more will arrive "later this year," with Apple launching the next major iteration of its software in the fall, there is a good chance these features will roll out with iOS 17.
I will learn more about iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 in addition to the next major updates for WatchOS and MacOS on June 5, when WWDC 2023 kicks off.
Taylor is a Reporter at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster.