An artificial intelligence startup called Anthropic, located in San Francisco, announced the launch of a major update for its Claude AI chatbot: a brand-new voice conversation mode. This feature is now available in the mobile app on Apple's App Store (for iOS devices) and Google's Play Store (for Android devices).
In addition to the introduction of the voice mode, Anthropic has also expanded web search capabilities for all free users. These updates aim to enhance the diversity and accessibility of Claude, making its services available to more users. Alex Albert, the relationship manager of Anthropic’s Claude, mentioned on social media that this early implementation of voice functionality has already been very interesting and practical for him, and he hopes users will share their feedback to facilitate better future improvements.
Image source note: Image generated by AI, image authorized service provider Midjourney
However, the current voice interface for Claude is limited to English, and there has been no mention yet of API support or web support, meaning it is currently only available for personal users on mobile apps.
According to Anthropic's plan, the new Claude voice mode will be gradually rolled out to all mobile app users in the coming weeks. Although Anthropic's competitor, OpenAI's ChatGPT, has also introduced a voice conversation mode since the end of 2023, Claude's new mode not only reaches the same functional level but also offers some unique features that OpenAI has not provided.
Through Claude's voice interface, users can request Claude to check specific information in their Google Calendar, G Suite, and Google Docs, and the chatbot will summarize and read it back to the user in a voice format, including upcoming appointments and presentation materials. Notably, while both voice and web search functions are available to Claude's free users, integration with external applications and tools is only available to付费订阅 users of Claude ($20 per month or $214.99 annually) and Claude Max ($100 per user per month).
In the voice mode, users can choose from multiple different voice options such as "buttery, light, gentle, glass, and rounded," each with its own unique tone, accent, and conversational style. Voice conversations generate complete transcriptions and voice mode summaries. Additionally, Claude provides visual notes that capture key information from each conversation, making it easier for users to review and revisit important content.
One highlight of the voice mode is the seamless switching between text and voice interactions without losing context. This flexibility supports the preferences and usage scenarios of different users. In addition to oral conversations, the voice mode also supports rich media interaction. Users can discuss documents, images, and complex information through voice commands, and Claude maintains the fluidity of the conversation.
For Pro Plan and above users, the voice mode also integrates personal information sources such as emails, calendar events, and documents, combined with real-time web search results, providing a more comprehensive and actionable conversational experience.
Meanwhile, Anthropic has also provided web search capabilities for all free plan users. This new ability allows Claude to utilize real-time internet data, providing more timely and accurate responses, including dynamic topics such as breaking news and market trends.
Anthropic stated that voice technology is not a new field. In addition to the voice-to-text function in Claude's mobile app, Anthropic also supports Amazon's Alexa and Otter AI transcription services. These experiences have provided significant support for the development of the new voice mode.
This update complements a series of enhancements including the release of Claude4, integration with Google Workspace, and expanded research capabilities. Anthropic emphasized that users can easily start voice conversations, allowing Claude to help summarize calendar entries or search documents, demonstrating the expansion of platform functionalities.
Key points:
🌟 Anthropic launched Claude's voice conversation mode, enhancing user experience, and is now available on mobile apps.
📅 Free users can obtain web search capabilities, improving real-time information acquisition.
🔊 Pro users can enjoy more personalized voice options and integrated application features, supporting multiple interaction methods.
