What the first version will and won't do
Here's exactly what the first version of Freehands does, and what it doesn't do yet. We'd rather be clear now than surprise anyone later.
What it does
- Reads new messages aloud while the app is open. In hands-free mode, a new message is spoken as “New message from Anna,” followed by the message. You can also say “read my new messages.”
- Lets you reply by voice, and reads it back first. Say “reply: I'm on my way.” Freehands reads the reply back and waits. Say “send” to send it, or “cancel” to drop it. You can also type.
- Opens a chat by name. Say “open Anna.” If two names are similar, Freehands asks which person you mean.
- Keeps chats encrypted. New direct chats are created end-to-end encrypted. The server stores encrypted messages.
- Recognizes speech on the phone. On-device recognition is the default. An option to use Apple's speech service is off until you turn it on.
- Works with VoiceOver. Main controls have names and hints, and dictation starts and stops with a double tap, not only a long press.
- Lets you report and block. Report a message or a chat with a reason. Block a person, and unblock them in Settings.
- Protects account deletion. Deleting your account needs your password and the typed word DELETE. Saying “delete my account” only opens that screen.
- Has a sample inbox. You can try the voice features without connecting to any server.
What it doesn't do yet
- Calls. Freehands understands “call Mom,” but in this version it says calls aren't available yet and opens your chat with Mom instead. It never pretends a call connected.
- Reading on the lock screen. New messages are read aloud only while the app is open and the phone is unlocked. Lock-screen reading is planned. It needs notifications, which come in a later version.
- AI summaries. There's no language model in this version. “Read my new messages” reads your latest messages aloud. AI summaries are coming. Any future feature that sends text off your phone will tell you first that the copy isn't end-to-end encrypted any more.
- Also not yet: message editing, reactions, photos and other media, threads, more than one account on a phone, and message backup. Losing your phone currently means losing access to older encrypted messages.
When?
We're not giving dates. If you'd like to hear when early access opens, email info@wilddolphin.us. We don't keep a mailing list on the website.