---
title: Voice Features: Talk to DatBot and Listen to Responses
description: Use speech-to-text to talk instead of type. Use text-to-speech to listen instead of read. Here's how.
date: January 12, 2026
author: Robert Soares
category: feature
---

Typing is fine. But sometimes you want to just... talk.

And sometimes you want the AI to talk back.

DatBot does both.

## Speech-to-Text: Talk Instead of Type

### Setup

1. Click the three-dot menu in the chat area
2. Select **"Audio Settings"**
3. Toggle **"Enable Speech-to-Text"** ON
4. Pick your language (60+ options)
5. Save

### Using It

1. Click the **microphone button** in the chat input area
2. Allow microphone access if your browser asks
3. Talk
4. Click stop when done
5. Your words appear as text
6. Edit if needed, then send

### Voice Commands

**Auto-send:** Say "enter" and your message sends automatically. Enable this in Audio Settings under "Auto-send Voice Command."

**Undo:** Say your configured undo word to delete the last thing you said. Useful when you ramble.

## Text-to-Speech: Listen to Responses

### Setup

1. Three-dot menu → **"Audio Settings"**
2. Toggle **"Enable Text-to-Speech"** ON
3. Pick your provider:
   - **Local (Kokoro)** - Runs on your device, fast, no extra cost
   - **Cloud API** - Higher quality, uses a bit of credits
   - **Browser** - Uses your browser's built-in TTS
4. Choose language and voice
5. Adjust speed (0.5x to 2x)
6. Save

### Using It

**Manual playback:**
1. Hover over any AI response
2. Click the **speaker icon**
3. Audio plays
4. Click again to stop

**Auto-play:**
Enable "Auto-play AI Responses" in settings. Every response reads itself aloud automatically.

## Voice Options

### Languages Available
- English (US, UK)
- Spanish
- French
- Hindi
- Chinese (Mandarin)
- Portuguese (Brazilian)
- Italian

More coming.

### Voices

Each language has multiple voice options—different genders, tones, and speaking styles. Play around until you find one you like.

### Speed Control

Slider goes from 0.5x (slow) to 2x (fast). Default is 1x.

Slow is good for learning or careful listening. Fast is good for skimming long responses.

## Use Cases

**Multitasking.** Let DatBot read responses while you do other things.

**Accessibility.** Vision issues? Voice input and output make DatBot fully usable.

**Language learning.** Hear responses in another language. Practice pronunciation with speech-to-text.

**Hands-free.** Cooking? Driving? (Carefully.) Talk to your AI assistant without touching your keyboard.

**Long content.** A 2000-word response is easier to listen to than read sometimes.

## Tips

- **Speak clearly.** Background noise confuses speech recognition.
- **Punctuate with pauses.** Brief pauses help the system know where sentences end.
- **Test your mic first.** Make sure it's working before a long dictation session.
- **Local TTS is faster.** If speed matters more than voice quality, use Kokoro.

## Troubleshooting

| Issue | Fix |
|-------|-----|
| Mic not working | Check browser permissions, try a different browser |
| TTS silent | Verify TTS is enabled, check your volume |
| Wrong language detected | Change STT language in settings |
| Choppy audio | Try a different TTS provider |
| Voice commands not working | Make sure they're enabled in Audio Settings |

That's voice. Type less, talk more.