Speech Services by Google

Google LLC

About this app

Power your device with the magic of Google’s text-to-speech and speech-to-text technology. Google Speech-to-Text functionality
Speech Services provides speech-to-text functionality to Google and other third party apps to convert what you say to text. For example, it can be used by:
• Google Maps when you use your voice to search places
• Recorder App to transcribe your recordings on device
• Phone App Call Screen feature to get a real-time transcription of your caller
• Accessibility apps like Voice Access for operating your device through voice
• Dictation or keyboard apps you might use to dictate text messages through voice
• Apps that contain a search by voice feature so that you can quickly search for your favorite shows or songs
• Language learning apps that recognize what you say as you practice a new language
• …and many other applications in Play Store
To use Google Speech-to-Text functionality on your Android device, go to Settings > Apps & notifications > Default apps > Assist App. Select Speech Services by Google as your preferred voice input engine.
Google Text-to-Speech functionality
Speech Services powers applications to read the text on your screen aloud. For example, it can be used by:
• Google Play Books to “Read Aloud” your favorite book
• Google Translate to speak translations aloud so you can hear the pronunciation of a word
• Talkback and accessibility applications for spoken feedback across your device
• …and many other applications in Play Store
To use Google Text-to-Speech functionality on your Android device, go to Settings > Languages & Input > Text-to-Speech output. Select Speech Services by Google as your preferred engine.
Note, on many Android devices, Speech Services by Google is already available, but you can update to the latest version here.

Ratings and reviews

They've mostly fixed the "muh" instead of "my" problem in the US English voices, but there's still some pretty glaring problems. It's almost never accurate when it comes to abbreviations (for instance, saying "drive" instead of "doctor" for “Dr.“) Context is not it's strong suit. Also, there's still no tonal change for words that are italicized, which often makes sentences sound confusing. I love this app, but there's still plenty of room for improvement!

So the speed was fixed, but the voice I chose isn't playing. It's some random voice. I have to uninstall it to get my normal voice, but it always reinstalls itself. Suddenly can't adjust speed correctly unless it's set to rate of 2.05 or higher. Different voice is reading. I keep uninstalling and it fixes itself, but then it automatically reinstalls. Several times a day I have to do this.

This used to be very good, but often it gets my entire sentence correct, but then goes back and deletes about half my sentence. It has really gone haywire with the recent version and I find myself having to edit the text repeatedly. It also does weird things like putting "mi" when I say miles. Just now, it tried to put a question mark at the end of that last sentence. Why? I have no idea, but I'm doing half this review with the keyboard because text to speech is so problematic.

What's new

Your app has a new name: “Speech Services by Google” and a new logo. The app also supports new functionality. The Speech Services by Google app not only provides text-to-speech but also empowers applications with speech-to-text functionality to convert your voice to text. Read more in the “About this app” section.