In a lot of countries across the world, schools are still closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. So, Google has launched a free Android app called Read Along to enhance the reading skills of children across 180 countries.
The Read Along app helps children with reading and speaking of a language through visual and audio cues. The app assists in learning a language with storybooks containing dozens of chapters on different themes. It has a virtual assistant named Diya, which uses speech recognition to identify if a student is struggling with pronouncing a word or a phrase, and help them accordingly.
[Read: Body-worn sensors to predict COVID-19 infections in US military hospitals]
The app was originally launched in India last year — where it is named Bolo — with an aim to help kids speak English and Hindi. The company has now launched this app worldwide, with added support for Spanish and Portuguese.
The 💜 of EU tech
The latest rumblings from the EU tech scene, a story from our wise ol' founder Boris, and some questionable AI art. It's free, every week, in your inbox. Sign up now!
One of the best features of the app is that it works offline. You can download learning content and stories while you’re connected to WiFi and use it offline. You don’t need to sign in to the app, and Google says it sends no data back to its servers.
You can download the app here.
Get the TNW newsletter
Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week.