Amazon Polly Terms of Service

What is Amazon Polly?Amazon Polly is a service provided by Amazon Web Services (AWS) that turns text into lifelike speech. It enables existing applications...

What is Amazon Polly?

Amazon Polly is a service provided by Amazon Web Services (AWS) that turns text into lifelike speech. It enables existing applications to speak as a first-class feature and creates the opportunity for entirely new categories of speech-enabled products, from mobile apps and cars, to devices and appliances. Amazon Polly includes dozens of lifelike voices and support for multiple languages, so you can select the ideal voice and distribute your speech-enabled applications in many geographies.

Amazon Polly is one of the many products after by AWS Services. Others include Amazon S3, Amazon IAM, CloudWatch, Amazon Simple Workflow, DynamoDB, DevOps, and Amazon Lambda.

Overview of Amazon Polly Text-To-Speech Software

Amazon Polly uses deep learning technologies to synthesize natural-sounding human speech, so you can convert articles to speech. With dozens of lifelike voices across a broad set of languages, you can use Amazon Polly to build speech-activated applications. You can provide the input as plain text or in Speech Synthesis Markup Language (SSML) format. With SSML you can control various aspects of speech, such as pronunciation, volume, pitch, and speech rate.

Amazon Polly can deliver the synthesized speech in multiple formats. You can select the audio file format that suits your needs. For example, you might request the speech in the MP3 or Ogg Vorbis format for consumption by web and mobile applications. Or, you might request the PCM output format for consumption by AWS IoT devices and telephony solutions.

Amazon Polly Pricing and Use Cases

Amazon Polly operates on a pay-as-you-go model, meaning you only pay for the services you use. The pricing is based on the number of characters of text that you convert either to speech or to Speech Marks metadata. Amazon Polly’s Standard voices are priced at $4.00 per 1 million characters for speech or Speech Marks requests when outside the free tier. Amazon Polly’s Neural voices, which offer more advanced and lifelike speech synthesis, are priced at $16.00 per 1 million characters for speech or Speech Marks requested when outside the free tier.

In addition to this, Amazon Polly offers a Free Tier for users who are just getting started. The Free Tier includes 5 million characters per month for speech or Speech Marks requests for the first 12 months, starting from your first request for speech. This makes it a cost-effective solution for startups and small businesses looking to integrate text-to-speech functionality into their applications.

Amazon Polly can be used in a wide range of applications, many of which can be learned through online tutorials. In the field of E-learning and education, it can be used to create interactive learning materials and assist people with reading disabilities. In public transportation and industrial control systems, Amazon Polly can be used for SNS notifications and emergency announcements. It can also be used in various devices such as set-top boxes, smart watches, tablets, smartphones, and IoT devices, providing audio output for a more interactive user experience. Other use cases include quiz games, animations, avatars, and narration generation for cloud-based TTS solutions.

Importance of Reviewing and Understanding Amazon Polly TOS

Understanding the TOS can help users avoid potential issues and optimize their use of the service. For instance, the TOS may specify certain parameters and permissions on how Amazon Polly can be used or outline the user's responsibilities in terms of data privacy and security. By reviewing and understanding the TOS, users can ensure that they are using Amazon Polly in a manner that is compliant with these terms.

List of Rights Granted To Users by Amazon Polly

Amazon Polly grants users a number of rights that allow them to fully utilize the service. These include:

1. Right to Use the Service: Users have the right to use Amazon Polly to convert text into speech. This includes the right to choose from a variety of voices and languages, and to control various aspects of speech such as pronunciation, volume, pitch, and speech rate using SSML.

2. Right to Cache and Replay Speech: Users have the right to cache and replay Amazon Polly’s generated speech at no additional cost. This allows users to reuse the same speech output in multiple applications or scenarios without incurring additional charges.

3. Right to Distribute Applications: Users have the right to distribute their speech-enabled applications in many geographies. This allows users to reach a global audience real-time with their applications.

4. Right to Access and Use the API: Users have the right to access and use the Amazon Polly API to integrate the service into their own applications. This includes the right to automate sending text to the API and receive the synthesized speech in return.

Amazon Polly Confidentiality Agreements And How This Impacts Their Voice Cloning Feature

Amazon Polly respects the confidentiality of its users. As such, the voice cloning feature of Amazon Polly is designed to ensure that user data is kept private and secure. The specifics of how this impacts the voice cloning feature would be outlined in the confidentiality agreement provided by Amazon Polly.

The confidentiality agreement typically stipulates that Amazon Polly will not disclose any user data without the user's consent, except as required by law or as necessary to provide the service. This means that when users use the voice cloning feature, their voice data is kept confidential and is not shared with third parties.

Furthermore, Amazon Polly implements robust security measures to protect user data. This includes encryption of voice data during transmission and storage, and strict access controls to prevent unauthorized access to the data.

Amazon Polly’s Authority to Modify the ToS

Amazon reserves the right to modify the Terms of Service for Amazon Polly at any time. This is a standard clause in most service agreements and is necessary to allows providers to adapt the terms to changing circumstances, such as new legal requirements, changes in the service, or advancements in technology.

When Amazon modifies the TOS, they typically provide notice to users in advance of the changes taking effect. This notice may be provided through various channels, such as an announcement on the Amazon Polly website, an email to users, or a notification in the AWS Management Console.

Users are advised to review the TOS periodically to stay informed about any changes. If a user continues to use Amazon Polly after the changes take effect, they are considered to have accepted the new terms.

Data Collection and Usage by Amazon Polly

Amazon Polly collects and uses data to provide and improve its services. This includes data provided directly by users, such as text input for speech synthesis, and data collected automatically, such as usage data.

The text input provided by users is used to synthesize speech. Amazon Polly uses machine learning algorithms to analyze the text and generate lifelike speech in the chosen voice and language. The usage data collected by Amazon Polly includes information such as the number of requests made by the user, the duration of the requests, and the amount of data processed. This data is used to monitor the performance of the service, identify and resolve issues, and make improvements to the service.

In addition, Amazon Polly may use the data for other purposes as described in the AWS Privacy Policy. This may include using the data to develop new features and services, provide customer support, and communicate with users about the service.

Amazon is committed to protecting the privacy and security of your data and your content. They implement robust security measures to protect the data, including encryption of data during transmission and storage, and strict access controls. The use of data by Amazon Polly is subject to the AWS Privacy Policy and the Amazon Polly Terms of Service.

Accepting The Amazon Polly Terms Of Service

To accept the Amazon Polly Terms of Service, users log in to their AWS account and typically need to click an "I Agree" button or check a box indicating their agreement during the sign-up process or when using the service for the first time. By doing so, users acknowledge that they have read, understood, and agree to be bound by the TOS.

How Do I Cancel My Amazon Polly Subscription?

To cancel your Amazon Polly subscription, you would typically need to navigate to the AWS Management Console, select the Amazon Polly service, and follow the instructions to cancel the service. It's important to note that any charges incurred prior to cancellation will still be owed.

Alternatives to Amazon Polly

Speechify is another major competitor in the text-to-speech software market.

Speechify

Speechify offers a unique feature of official celebrity voices, allowing users to hear their text read aloud in the voice of their favorite celebrities. This adds a fun and engaging element to the listening experience.

The platform is designed to be highly flexible, enabling users to configure voices in order to find one that suits their comprehension and comfort. This feature is particularly useful for those who wish to consume information at a faster pace, with Speechify offering up to 5x faster listening speeds.

Speechify also provides a seamless compatibility experience across multiple devices. Whether you're on your Microsoft desktop or Apple mobile device, you can easily access and use Speechify's services, making it a convenient tool for people on the go.

In terms of voice options, Speechify doesn't disappoint. It boasts over 30 natural, human-like voices, providing a wide range of choices for users to find the voice that best suits their preference. This feature enhances the overall user experience, making the text-to-speech process more enjoyable and less robotic.

Furthermore, Speechify supports over 15 exclusive languages, making it a versatile tool for users from different linguistic backgrounds. This feature also makes Speechify a useful tool for language learners who can listen to texts in their target language.

In summary, Speechify's unique features and extensive capabilities make it a strong competitor in the text-to-speech software market.

Conclusion

Amazon Polly is a powerful tool that can bring your applications to life with lifelike speech. Whether you're developing an e-learning platform, a public transportation announcement system, or a new mobile app, Amazon Polly can provide the high-quality speech synthesis you need. However, it's important to understand the terms of service, pricing, and data usage policies before you start using the service. If you have any questions or need further information, the Amazon Polly documentation and FAQs are great resources to consult.

FAQs

What is Amazon Polly service?

Amazon Polly is a service provided by Amazon Web Services (AWS) that turns text into lifelike speech. It enables existing applications to speak as a first-class feature and creates the opportunity for entirely new categories of speech-enabled products.

Can I use Amazon Polly commercially?

Yes, you can use Amazon Polly commercially. It is designed to be used in a variety of applications, including E-learning and education, announcement systems in public transportation, industrial control systems for notifications and emergency announcements, set-top boxes, smart watches, tablets, smartphones and IoT devices, telephony solutions, quiz games, animations, avatars, and narration generation.

What are the benefits of Amazon Polly?

Amazon Polly offers high-quality, lifelike speech that can be used in a wide range of applications. It supports multiple languages and offers a variety of voices. It also supports SSML, allowing users to control various aspects of speech such as pronunciation, volume, pitch, and speech rate.

What format is Amazon Polly?

Amazon Polly supports multiple audio formats, including MP3, Vorbis, and raw PCM audio stream formats.

What is the difference between a voice and a voicelet?

A voice refers to the specific vocal characteristics used by Amazon Polly to synthesize speech, such as the language, accent, and gender. A voicelet, on the other hand, is a term that is not commonly used in the context of Amazon Polly or text-to-speech services.

How does Amazon Polly work?

Amazon Polly converts input text into life-like speech. You call one of the speech synthesis methods, provide the text that you want to synthesize, choose one of the Neural Text-to-Speech (NTTS) or Standard Text-to-Speech (TTS) voices, and specify an audio output format. Amazon Polly then synthesizes the provided text into a high-quality speech audio stream.

How do I stop using Amazon Polly?

To stop using Amazon Polly, you would typically need to navigate to the AWS Management Console, select the Amazon Polly service, and follow the instructions to cancel the service. It's important to note that any charges incurred prior to cancellation will still be owed.

What is the Amazon Polly pricing?

Amazon Polly’s Standard voices are priced at $4.00 per 1 million characters for speech or Speech Marks requests (when outside the free tier). Amazon Polly’s Neural voices are priced at $16.00 per 1 million characters for speech or Speech Marks requested (when outside the free tier). There is also a free tier available that includes 5 million characters per month for speech or Speech Marks requests, for the first 12 months, starting from your first request for speech.