The Truecaller caller ID service offers users the ability to create a digital assistant that has their voice and can answer on their behalf. If you're not familiar with the app, Truecaller launched its AI Assistant feature in 2022 to screen phone calls and receive messages, among other things. Up until this point, I was using pre-made voices, but thanks to the power of Microsoft's Azure AI Speech, you can now use your own.
Setting up your voice within Trucaller is quite easy; You just need a subscription to Truecaller Premium, which costs $9.99 per month per account. Once 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 aloud a consent phrase and a short training script into your smartphone's microphone. Doing so ensures that the AI has a voice that mimics your “speaking style.” When it's done, Truecaller says Microsoft's Azure Custom Voice begins processing the recording to create a “high-quality digital replica.” The app will give you a demo sound bite to help you imagine what it will sound like when someone calls you.
robot voice
Keep in mind that technology is not perfect. While the digital assistant may look like it to you, it appears quite robotic. The company posted a YouTube video on its official channel showing what the AI sounds like. Admittedly, the software does a decent job of imitating a person's vocal inflections; however, the answers still sound rigid. That said, it's an interesting and interactive way to filter calls as they come in, especially to stop spam ones.
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 haven't received the feature yet. It is unknown exactly when and where the update will be available. TechCrunch says the tool will launch “over the next few weeks” as a public beta in a small selection of countries. These include, but are not limited to, the USA, Canada, Australia and Sweden. Soon after, it will be widely available “to all users in eligible markets.
We also reached out to Truecaller with a couple of questions, including how recordings are stored, whether they are saved on the device or uploaded to the company's servers, and more. If we hear back, this story will be updated.
While we have it, check out TechRadar's roundup of the best encrypted messaging apps on Android for 2024.
