Tag with "Voice Technology"

Google has unveiled Gemini TTS 2.5, a major upgrade to its text-to-speech technology that adds emotional expression and multi-language support. The new system lets voices shift tone instantly, adapt pacing to context, and maintain character consistency across 24 languages. Early adopters report significant improvements in user engagement while cutting costs. Available now for testing, the production version is expected in early 2025.

Dubbing actor Xueting Mu discovered her voice cloned without permission in Amazon's documentary, exposing rampant AI voice theft. With just 15 seconds of audio needed to replicate voices perfectly, the industry faces upheaval as jobs vanish overnight. While Morgan Freeman fights back legally and studios develop 'audio fingerprints,' experts warn AI voices may soon dominate 60% of China's market.

Samsung is giving its Bixby voice assistant a major upgrade by integrating Perplexity AI's technology into the upcoming Galaxy S26 series. Following Apple's playbook with Siri and ChatGPT, Samsung will now handle basic tasks locally while outsourcing complex queries to Perplexity. This strategic move promises smoother interactions and smarter responses, marking Samsung's latest push to stay competitive in the AI assistant race.

Google's Gemini Live voice assistant just leveled up with human-like features that put ChatGPT to shame. Now you can speed up conversations when you're in a hurry, switch accents for fun, and get emotionally-aware responses. While ChatGPT struggles with basic coherence, Gemini's learning to breathe and pause like a real person - complete with cowboy drawls and British sophistication.

StepFun AI has unveiled Step-Audio-EditX, a groundbreaking open-source model that transforms audio editing into something as intuitive as text editing. This innovative tool uses a unique dual-codebook system and large-margin learning to give users unprecedented control over speech emotions, styles, and accents. Tested against Gemini2.5Pro benchmarks, it's proving to be a game-changer for both researchers and creators alike.

iFlytek has launched an AI hardware-software integrated solution capable of accurate speech recognition in 90-decibel noise environments. The technology powers new products like smart office books and translation devices, achieving over 97% accuracy in challenging conditions. The company also introduced custom voice replication using its Spark Speech Large Model.

Meituan has officially released its LongCat AI app, featuring voice calls and online search capabilities. The app aims to enhance user interaction with AI, offering efficient information retrieval and future video call functionality.

vivo has unveiled major upgrades to its Blue Heart Language Model, enhancing its XIAO V assistant with advanced reasoning capabilities and wake-word-free interaction. The improvements include deeper intent understanding, natural voice commands, and extended-range interpretation.

Microsoft has launched its first self-developed AI models, MAI-Voice-1 and MAI-1-preview, marking a significant step in its competition with OpenAI. MAI-Voice-1 excels in rapid audio generation, while MAI-1-preview targets instruction-based tasks. Both models are set to enhance Microsoft's consumer AI offerings.

Tesla has partnered with ByteDance's Volcano Engine to integrate Doubao and DeepSeek AI models into its Chinese-market vehicles. The collaboration enables voice-activated controls for navigation, media, climate, and conversational AI features, marking Tesla's first adoption of domestic Chinese AI technology.

Spotify is leveraging generative AI to develop a more interactive voice assistant, aiming to transform how users engage with the platform. The company plans to use AI for personalized recommendations and internal efficiency improvements, despite recent financial challenges.

Meta has acquired voice AI startup Play AI to enhance its artificial intelligence capabilities, particularly in audio content creation, wearables, and Meta AI projects. The Play AI team will join Meta next week, aligning with the company's roadmap for natural sound generation. Financial terms remain undisclosed.

Meta has acquired Play AI, a startup specializing in AI-generated natural human voices, as part of its broader strategy to enhance voice technology. The move aligns with Meta's investments in AI characters, wearable devices, and audio content creation. Financial details remain undisclosed, but the acquisition signals Meta's commitment to leading in speech synthesis and AI applications.

Google's AI assistant Gemini Live is set for a major upgrade, integrating deeply with Google Maps, Calendar, Keep, and third-party apps like Spotify. New features include camera-based input recognition and a card-style interface for real-time information. Privacy controls remain a priority as Google aims to make Gemini Live a unified AI control center.

The Step-Audio team has open-sourced Step-Audio-AQAA, an end-to-end speech model that generates natural speech directly from audio input. The model's three-module architecture enhances human-computer interaction by capturing complex speech nuances. This breakthrough marks a significant advancement in voice interaction technology.

Amazon's upgraded AI assistant, Alexa+, has surpassed one million users since its February 2025 launch. The service offers advanced generative AI capabilities, personalized experiences, and partnerships with platforms like OpenTable and Uber Eats. Prime members will receive free access, while others pay $19.99/month post-launch.

ElevenLabs has launched 11ai, a voice-first AI assistant featuring advanced voice interaction, multi-tool integration, and customizable MCP support. Designed for productivity, it offers seamless calendar management, real-time search, and team collaboration. With support for 70+ languages and emotional voice control, 11ai targets global markets in education, entertainment, and customer service.

Amazon's Alexa+, a generative AI-powered digital assistant, has exceeded 1 million beta users. The service promises more natural interactions, smart home integration, and advanced features. While currently free, it will later require a $19.99/month subscription for non-Prime members. Early feedback is mixed, but Amazon reports 90% of planned features are implemented.

OpenAI has upgraded its ChatGPT Projects feature, introducing voice mode, deep research capabilities, and improved mobile support to transform it into a dynamic AI workspace for both individual and enterprise use.

Hume AI has unveiled EVI 3, its third-generation voice interaction model that excels in emotional recognition and personalized responses. The AI demonstrates superior speed and emotional intelligence compared to competitors like GPT-4, with applications ranging from customer service to content creation.