The Android app asks kids to read out loud.
Google launched a new mobile app for kids aged 5+, which was designed to help them practice their reading skills.
The Read Along app allows parents to create a profile for each of their children, who can then read and complete stories at their own pace alongside an in-app character named Diya.
As a child reads a story out loud, the app will use speech recognition technology to determine how well they’re reading. In a blog post, Google said Diya will give kids “positive and reinforcing feedback along the way, just as a parent or teacher would.” In addition, kids can tap on Diya if they ever need help pronouncing a word.
The blog post reads:
“Read Along keeps young minds engaged with a collection of diverse and interesting stories from around the world, and games sprinkled into those stories. Kids can collect stars and badges as they learn, which motivates them to keep playing and reading.”
Read Along is available to download for free on Android devices. The app doesn’t contain ads or in-app purchases. After the app is downloaded, it can be used without an internet connection (when parents want to download new stories, they’ll need to connect to the internet to do so).
Finally, Google said “voice data is analyzed in real time on the device—so that it works offline—and is not sent to any Google servers.”
What do you think about the Read Along app? Let us know in the comments, or tweet us at @superparenthq.
Brandy Berthelson has been writing about video games and technology since 2006, with her work appearing on sites including AOL Games, Digital Spy, and Adweek. When she’s not gaming, Brandy enjoys crafting, baking, and traveling with her husband.
