Apple iOS 17 update to intro ‘Personal Voice’ that sounds like you

Ahead of the WWDC event in June, apple Tuesday preview A suite of accessibility features will roll out in its next major iPhone update “later this year.”

The new “Personal Voice” feature, expected in iOS 17, will let iPhones and iPads generate a digital replica of the user’s voice for use in face-to-face conversations as well as phone, FaceTime, and audio calls.

Personal Voice will create a synthetic voice that sounds like the user and can be used to connect with family and friends, Apple said. The feature is aimed at users with conditions that affect their ability to speak over time.

Users can create their own personal voice by recording 15 minutes of audio on the device. Apple says the technology will use local machine learning to maximize privacy.

It’s part of a wider set of accessibility improvements for iOS devices, including a new Assistive Access feature that helps users with cognitive disabilities and their caregivers take advantage of iOS devices more easily.

Apple also announced another machine learning-powered technology that enhances its existing Magnifier functionality with a new point-to-talk powered detection mode. The new feature will combine camera input, LiDAR input, and machine learning to announce on-screen text.

Apple typically releases software in beta form at WWDC, which means the features are first available to developers for members of the public who want to opt in. These features typically remain in beta throughout the summer and roll out to the public in the fall when new iPhones become available.

Apple’s 2023 WWDC conference kicks off on June 5. The company is expected to unveil its first virtual reality headset along with other software and hardware announcements.