Caller ID service Truecaller gives users the ability to create a digital assistant that has their voice and can respond on their behalf. If you’re not familiar with the app, Truecaller launched the AI Assistant feature in 2022 to screen phone calls and take messages, among other things. Until now, pre-made voices were used, but thanks to the power of Microsoft’s Azure AI talkyou can now use your own.
Setting up your voice within Trucaller is quite simple; you just need a subscription to Truecaller Premium, which costs $9.99 per month per account. Once that’s set up, the software will immediately ask you to select an AI assistant – but instead of choosing one of the pre-made personalities, select ‘Add your voice’.
You will then be asked to read a permission phrase and a short training script aloud into your smartphone microphone. Doing this ensures that the AI has a voice that mimics your ‘speaking style’. Once this is done, Truecaller states that Microsoft’s Azure Custom Voice will begin processing the recording to create a “high-quality digital replica.” The app gives you a demo soundbite to help you imagine what it sounds like when someone calls you.
Robo voice
Keep in mind that the technology is not perfect. Although the digital assistant may look like you, it seems quite robotic. The company published a Youtube video on his official channel and shows off what the AI sounds like. Granted, the software does a good job at mimicking someone’s vocal inflections; however, the responses still sound stiff. That said, it’s an interesting and interactive way to screen calls as they come in, especially if you’re blocking spam.
Keep an eye out for the patch when it arrives, as we tried to create our own digital secretary on our Android, but couldn’t because we hadn’t received the feature yet. It is not yet known when and where exactly the update will be available. TechCrunch claims that the tool will be rolled out as a public beta in a small selection of countries “in the coming weeks.” These include, but are not limited to, the US, Canada, Australia and Sweden. Shortly thereafter, it will become widely available “to all users in eligible markets.
We also reached out to Truecaller with a number of questions, including how recordings are stored, whether they are stored on the device or uploaded to company servers, and more. If we hear back, this story will be updated.
While we’ve got you, check out Ny Breaking’s round-up of the best encrypted messaging apps on Android for 2024.
