Instagram adds text-to-speech, voice effects for Reels

Instagram wants you to use its TikTok-rival Reels more. The Instagram short-form video format gets a couple of audio tools that are popular on TikTok. One is text-to-speech, which puts robotic voiceovers on your videos. This accessibility feature lets you type the text for your videos, which will then be read aloud in this robotic voice. It's accessible through the Text bubble on the lower-left corner of the screen. You have two voice options to choose from.

Aside from text-to-speech, there are now voice effects, too. So, you can change your voice depending on what vibe you're going for. You can change your voice to sound like you've inhaled helium, or like a giant, or more. Both tools have been rolled out already, so you can try it out now.

Source: Engadget

Spotify buys audiobook platform Findaway

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Spotify's newest acquisition suggests it wants to develop its library of audiobook titles. The company bought the audiobook platform Findaway, an Ohio, US-based company with a catalog of over 325,000 titles. It has partnerships with companies like Apple, Amazon, and other retail giants. The service also makes tools for audiobook creators. 

The streaming service hasn't released the acquisition details, and it wouldn't go into the specifics about what it plans. But the company has said in a statement that this deal can help it "quickly scale its audiobook catalog" and create new opportunities for authors and publishers.

Source: Engadget

Twitch brings recurring subscriptions to iOS

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Twitch has given iOS users a way to support their favourite streamers via a Sub Tokens feature. It works similar to the desktop feature with ad-free viewing and sub-only chat. But it's a one-time purchase you can redeem anytime you want. Now, Twitch iOS app users can purchase a recurring subscription, so you don't lose access to the subscriber-only features. Twitch made the change because of user feedback.

"We learned from the community that non-renewing Sub Tokens on iOS can prevent them from consistently enjoying subscriber benefits and supporting their favourite creators," the company said in a blog post.

Sub Tokens are being phased out slowly. Twitch will sell them until December 1, and you can redeem these until January 10, 2022. But after that, any Sub Tokens you have will be refunded by Apple. 

Via: Engadget 

Valve delays Steam Deck shipment to February 2022

If you're waiting for the release of Valve's Steam Deck, unfortunately, the handheld PC's release is going to be delayed. The company announced that it'll start shipping the Steam Deck in February 2022 instead of the December 2021 release. Valve blamed the delay on the ongoing global semiconductor shortage.

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