Google, in 2019 released an Android app called Bolo to help kids in India learn to read. Now the search giant has decided to expand the app to more countries and changed its name to Read Along.
Google's rebranded learning app is still in early access. It uses the company's text-to-speech tech and speech recognition tech to gauge how well kids are reading aloud.
Read Along is designed to help kids 5-years and older learn to read. As children read stories aloud, the app provides visual and verbal feedback. The app's launch coincides with the continued distance learning system encouraged by the government and educational institutions in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Aside from different kinds of stories from around the world, Read Along also contains games. Children are awarded badges and stars as an incentive to keep reading and playing. For parents with two or more children, the app can accommodate multiple profiles to track each child's progress. Each profile is personalized based on a child's reading level performance.
The best thing about Read Along -- aside from its content -- is that there are no in-app purchases or ads. It also works offline, and you don't even need to sign-in. To keep it working without an internet connection, voice data is analyzed in real-time on the device. Google also said that user data isn't sent or kept to any of its servers.
Kids will have Diya as their virtual reading buddy. If there are words hard to pronounce, Diya is always there to help. The app will also recommend levels of difficulty for stories and games.
Since its debut as Bolo in 2019, Google reported that parents have been given the company encouraging feedback, and there are also requests to expand the app to new markets. In India, the word "Bolo" actually means "speak," so Google decided to change its name so parents and children around the world can resonate with it.
The app's available on the Play Store in nine languages (including English, Hindi, Spanish, and Portuguese) in 180 countries. Google will add more books and features to Read Along in the future. The app has also been updated with an enhanced library, new games, and other user interface improvements since launch.
Google has been helping educators, parents, and students, to make distance learning more efficient by launching several learning tools, like Google Classroom, a streamlined, easy-to-use tool that helps teachers manage coursework.
