Category: YuJa SmartSpeaker AI Platform

  • January 31, 2025

    YuJa SmartSpeaker AI Platform Update – v25.1.0 Release

    Australia Zone Canada Zone European Union Zone Middle East Zone Singapore Zone United States Zone YuJa SmartSpeaker AI Platform

    We have successfully pushed an update to all YuJa SmartSpeaker instances residing in the US, Canada, Australia, Singapore, the Middle East, and the European Union. This update includes the option to embed YuJa SmartSpeaker into course content, expanded support to read content in D2L quizzes, more options to adjust YuJa SmartSpeaker, and a report template for presenting analytics in Power BI.

     

    1. Embed YuJa SmartSpeaker into Canvas and D2L Course Content
      As an instructor, you can embed YuJa SmartSpeaker into course content to allow students instant text-to-speech audio without them needing to highlight content manually. If you prefer using the SmartSpeaker widget as an overlay rather than embedded, you can simply adjust this preference in Default Course Settings.
      SmartSpeaker settings in Panorama to enable embed option.
    2. YuJa SmartSpeaker Support for D2L’s Quiz-Taking Page
      Building on its existing capabilities to read aloud course content, such as in Announcements and Discussions, Yuja SmartSpeaker is now available on the D2L quiz-taking page, offering text-to-speech support for students when taking a quiz.
      SmartSpeaker is shown embedded inside D2L Content quizzes.
    3. Redesigned YuJa SmartSpeaker Widget for a More Personalized Experience
      The YuJa SmartSpeaker Widget has been revamped with a redesigned UI and enhanced capability for a more customized listening experience. Key updates include:

      • Redesigned SmartSpeaker Widget UI with an expandable icon, allowing you to collapse the widget when not in use.
      • Included an on-hover volume bar for easy volume adjustment during audio playing.
      • New option to disable the rewind and fast-forward functions according to your listening preferences.

      SmartSpeaker is shown with it's volume adjustment slider.

    4. New Report Template for Presenting YuJa SmartSpeaker Analytics in Power BI
      As an administrator, you can now easily present your YuJa SmartSpeaker analytics in Power BI using our report template. Simply upload the template along with your exported report in a JSON format to visualize your report.
      The option to export the report with a template.
  • December 20, 2024

    YuJa SmartSpeaker AI Platform Update – v24.9.0 Release

    Australia Zone Canada Zone European Union Zone Middle East Zone Singapore Zone United States Zone YuJa SmartSpeaker AI Platform

    We have successfully pushed an update to all YuJa SmartSpeaker instances residing in the US, Canada, Australia, Singapore, the Middle East, and the European Union. This update includes a new YuJa SmartSpeaker report which shows key analytics such as total requests and storage used.

    1. New YuJa SmartSpeaker Report to View In-Depth Usage Analytics
      As an administrator, you can now view your institution’s YuJa SmartSpeaker report, which includes key analytics such as the total number of requests, generated summaries, and total storage used. You can analyze these metrics over time by selecting the date range for which you want to view historical usage.
      An image of the YuJa SmartSpeaker Report in Panorama.
  • November 11, 2024

    YuJa SmartSpeaker AI Platform Update – November 2024

    Australia Zone Canada Zone European Union Zone Middle East Zone Singapore Zone United States Zone YuJa SmartSpeaker AI Platform

    We have successfully pushed an update to all YuJa SmartSpeaker.AI instances residing in the US, Canada, Australia, Singapore, the Middle East, and the European Union. This update includes the expanded voice options, option to highlight both words and phrases during audio playing, customize highlight colors with color contrast preview, automatically scroll your content during audio playback, download an MP3 file of your selected content, and more.

    1. Customize Your Listening Experience with Expanded Voice Options
      YuJa SmartSpeaker now offers three additional voice options, giving you a wider selection of voices across different genders and tones, allowing you to choose the one that best suits your listening preferences.
      The SmartSpeaker Settings page highlighting the expanded voice options.
    2. New Option to Highlight Both Words and Phrases During Audio Playing
      In addition to highlighting individual words, YuJa SmartSpeaker can now highlight both words and phrases during audio playing. Simply enable the adaptive spotlight option in the settings to activate highlighting phrases as YuJa SmartSpeaker reads along.
      A gif showing SmartSpeaker can now highlight both words and phrases during audio playing.
    3. Customize Highlight and Font Colors with Color Contrast Previews
      You can now customize the highlight colors for words, phrases, and font colors to match your reading preferences. Additionally, you can preview the color contrast in a sample sentence before playing the audio to ensure readability.
      The SmartSpeaker Settings page highlighting the color customization and color contrast preview.
    4. Auto-Scrolling Content In Sync with Audio Playback for Easy Follow-Along
      YuJa SmartSpeaker now features an auto-scrolling option that automatically scrolls your content in sync with the audio playback, ensuring you can still follow along with the content without the need of manually scrolling through.
      A gif highlighting SmartSpeaker's auto-scrolling option that automatically scrolls your content in sync with the audio playback.
    5. Downloadable Audio Files in MP3 Format for Offline Listening
      You can now download an MP3 file of your selected content from YuJa SmartSpeaker, allowing you to listen offline on your devices and easily share the audio content with others.
      An image highlighting the button to download an MP3 file of your selected content from YuJa SmartSpeaker.
    6. YuJa SmartSpeaker Is Integrated With the Enhanced HTML Document Alternative Format
      If your institution utilizes YuJa SmartSpeaker, it will now be automatically available for you when generating an Enhanced HTML Document from the Alternative Formats menu.
      An image highlighting the usage of YuJa SmartSpeaker In Enhanced Html Format.
    7. Directly Use YuJa SmartSpeaker in the LMS Without the Extension Installed
      If Panorama is integrated into your LMS, faculty, and students will no longer need to download the Panorama Browser Extension to use YuJa SmartSpeaker. It will simply be displayed on-screen if it is enabled at the course or institution level.
      An image highlighting the usage of YuJa SmartSpeaker in Canvas after integration.

     

  • September 30, 2024

    YuJa SmartSpeaker.AI Update – September 2024

    Australia Zone Canada Zone European Union Zone United States Zone YuJa SmartSpeaker AI Platform

    We have successfully pushed an update to all YuJa SmartSpeaker.AI instances residing in the US, Canada, Australia, Singapore, the Middle East, and the European Union. This update includes the option to summarize long-form text with Gen AI and a redesigned installation page for SmartSpeaker.

    1. Summarize Articles and Other Long-Form Text into a Few Key Sentences With Gen AI
      Using our latest Gen AI capabilities, SmartSpeaker now features the option to take selected text on any website and condense it into a few easy-to-read sentences.
      SmartSpeaker shows text that is summarized on a website.
    2. Redesigned Installation Page for SmartSpeaker
      The installation page now offers a new visual interface with clearer step-by-step instructions, making it easier for Content Creators to install SmartSpeaker. We have also included a tutorial video directly on the installation pages for those who would like to listen and follow along.
      The SmartSpeaker installation page shows three steps to follow along with a video for guidance.
  • May 20, 2024

    YuJa SmartSpeaker Add-On Platform – May 2024

    Australia Zone Canada Zone European Union Zone Middle East Zone United States Zone YuJa SmartSpeaker AI Platform

    We have successfully pushed an update to all YuJa SmartSpeaker Add-On Platform instances residing in the United States, Canada, European Union, Australia, and the Middle East.

    1. Integrate SmartSpeaker Directly into Websites
      Site administrators can now integrate SmartSpeaker directly into their website’s HTML, making it accessible to all users.
      Smart Speaker shown integrated in a website.
  • March 27, 2024

    YuJa SmartSpeaker Add-On Platform – April 2024

    Australia Zone Canada Zone European Union Zone Middle East Zone United States Zone YuJa SmartSpeaker AI Platform

    We have successfully pushed an update to all YuJa SmartSpeaker Add-On Platform instances residing in the United States, Canada, European Union, and Australia.

    1. Smart Speaker: New Voice Settings and Real-Time Text Highlighting of Active Spoken Section
      Smart Speakers now offers a variety of text-to-speech voices, with options to adjust the reading speed, volume, and highlight color.
      A new voice is selected for Smart Speaker.
  • March 8, 2024

    YuJa SmartSpeaker Add-On Platform – March 2024

    Australia Zone Canada Zone European Union Zone Middle East Zone United States Zone YuJa SmartSpeaker AI Platform

    We have successfully launched a new add-on to all YuJa Panorama Platform instances residing in the US, Canada, Australia, Singapore, the Middle East, and the European Union.

    1. New Tool! Smart Speaker Website Provides Text-to-Speech Functionality Embedded Directly Within Websites
      Panorama’s Smart Speaker provides text-to-speech functionality to users with visual impairments or learning disabilities, enabling them to access digital content on any website.
      The smart speaker's play bar is shown reading text.