In the realm of cloud voice streaming, numerous services have emerged that offer high-quality voices. Among them, Amazon Polly, Google WaveNet, and Azure Cognitive Resources lead the pack. These services have revolutionized text-to-speech technology, offering flexibility, affordability, and realism in voice synthesis. In this post, we will delve into their functionalities and compare them, with special attention to Amazon Polly iPhone app integration.
Understanding the Top Cloud Voice Streaming Platforms
- Amazon Polly: Known for its lifelike voices and feedback on the currently spoken word. Charges per word, making it a premium option.
- Google WaveNet: A part of Google’s Cloud Text-to-Speech service, WaveNet utilizes deep learning to produce natural-sounding speech.
- Azure Cognitive Resources: Offers a free tier and is lauded for its wide variety of voices and language support.
The Amazon Polly iOS App: A Gap in the Market
While these services have gained popularity, it is notable that none of them have an official iOS app. This has led to a unique market where premium text-to-speech apps have leveraged these services. For instance, NaturalReader has leased voices from cloud providers, and Speechify has left trails in their app that reveal communication with Amazon Polly iOS technology.
Why Amazon Polly Stands Out
Among these services, Amazon Polly is particularly popular because it provides real-time feedback on the spoken word, a feature that many competitors lack. However, this comes at a cost, with some apps that utilize Amazon Polly charging over $100/year with a monthly usage cap.
Considering the Alternatives
For those seeking more affordable options, alternatives like Speech Central might be appealing. Using Azure’s free tier, which matches the monthly cap in many expensive apps, Speech Central offers significant benefits without the high price tag.
Conclusion: Weighing Your Options
The choice between Amazon Polly iOS integration and other services will largely depend on your specific needs and budget. By understanding the pros and cons of each option, you can make an informed decision that best suits your text-to-speech requirements.