Apple Exploring Ways to Let Developers Provide Custom Voice Synthesizers on iOS

Apple is exploring ways to let developers provide custom voice synthesizers on iOS by way of a new developer framework named VoiceProvider, which could debut as early as iOS 14, according to information obtained by MacRumors.

siri waveform
Voice synthesizer extensions would be bundled with apps from the App Store, and then could be offered to the system to replace the default speech voice, which could be important for languages and dialects that Apple does not support. This could potentially extend to an API for the HomePod, although this is not for certain.

The framework appears to be in the early stages of development, so there is a chance that it might not be ready in time for iOS 14.

Related Forum: iOS 14

Top Rated Comments

JosephAW Avatar
54 months ago

So... we could replace the Siri voice feedback with Mr T?
Us trekies are hoping for Majel Barrett-Roddenberry computer voice or Brent Spiner.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Hmm Avatar
54 months ago
Bring back MacinTalk!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nicho Avatar
54 months ago

Us trekies are hoping for Majel Barrett-Roddenberry computer voice or Brent Spiner.
Make it so!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nicho Avatar
54 months ago
So... we could replace the Siri voice feedback with Mr T?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cmaier Avatar
54 months ago

Us trekies are hoping for Majel Barrett-Roddenberry computer voice or Brent Spiner.
The big demo for the TI-99/4a was the Star Trek cartridge with Spock’s voice.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macduke Avatar
54 months ago
I second replacing Siri with "Computer" from Star Trek. I feel like I don't even say that word much so it would actually work well. I usually say my Mac, my iPad, etc.

Another fun choice would be The Doctor from Voyager, complete with sass.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Delta Feature

Delta Game Emulator Now Available From App Store on iPhone

Wednesday April 17, 2024 9:58 am PDT by
Game emulator apps have come and gone since Apple announced App Store support for them on April 5, but now popular game emulator Delta from developer Riley Testut is available for download. Testut is known as the developer behind GBA4iOS, an open-source emulator that was available for a brief time more than a decade ago. GBA4iOS led to Delta, an emulator that has been available outside of...
iPhone 15 Pro Action Button Translate

All iPhone 16 Models to Feature Action Button, But Usefulness Debated

Tuesday April 16, 2024 6:54 am PDT by
Last September, Apple's iPhone 15 Pro models debuted with a new customizable Action button, offering faster access to a handful of functions, as well as the ability to assign Shortcuts. Apple is poised to include the feature on all upcoming iPhone 16 models, so we asked iPhone 15 Pro users what their experience has been with the additional button so far. The Action button replaces the switch ...
Provenance Emulator

PlayStation, GameCube, Wii, and SEGA Emulator for iPhone and Apple TV Coming to App Store

Friday April 19, 2024 8:29 am PDT by
The lead developer of the multi-emulator app Provenance has told iMore that his team is working towards releasing the app on the App Store, but he did not provide a timeframe. Provenance is a frontend for many existing emulators, and it would allow iPhone and Apple TV users to emulate games released for a wide variety of classic game consoles, including the original PlayStation, GameCube, Wii,...
maxresdefault

Hands-On With the New App Store Delta Game Emulator

Wednesday April 17, 2024 12:19 pm PDT by
A decade ago, developer Riley Testut released the GBA4iOS emulator for iOS, and since it was against the rules at the time, Apple put a stop to downloads. Emulators have been a violation of the App Store rules for years, but that changed on April 5 when Apple suddenly reversed course and said that it was allowing retro game emulators on the App Store. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel ...
iOS NES Emulator Bimmy Feature

NES Emulator for iPhone and iPad Now Available on App Store [Removed]

Tuesday April 16, 2024 11:33 am PDT by
The first approved Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) emulator for the iPhone and iPad was made available on the App Store today following Apple's rule change. The emulator is called Bimmy, and it was developed by Tom Salvo. On the App Store, Bimmy is described as a tool for testing and playing public domain/"homebrew" games created for the NES, but the app allows you to load ROMs for any...