Since Voice Dream Reader was released for iOS in 2012, I received requests for a Mac version more often than any other platform. Nearly 10 years later, I’m so excited to announce that Voice Dream Reader for macOS is now generally available.
(The actual name in the Mac App Store is “Voice Dream Reader for Desktop” because Apple does not allow the use of “macOS” or “Macs” in an app’s name.)
I started working on the Mac version in 2019. From early on I decided to create a fully native and thoroughly modern macOS app that takes full advantage of the Mac rather than migrating the iOS version with minimal change. (I will write a blog post on how I made this decision.) After 3 years of work, I’m very happy with the result, and I think you will be too.
In terms of features, with minor differences, the Mac version is identical to the iOS version. But the major difference is productivity. You can do things much faster using Reader for macOS. This is achieved by a user interface designed from scratch, taking full advantage of the Mac’s screen size, precision pointing device, keyboard shortcuts, and it follows all of macOS’s native conventions. Frequently performed tasks can be accomplished with fewer user actions. Just to take a few examples:
| Task | macOS | iOS |
| Add a local file | Drag and drop | > 3 taps and swipes |
| Increase speech rate from library | 1 keystroke | 3 taps |
| Open Dropbox | 1 click | 2 taps |
| See content of a folder | 1 click | >3 taps and swipes |
Over time, these efficiencies add up to a lot of hours saved.
I expect that most users would use the Mac version in the following way: unless you have to use a TTS voice that is available on iOS and not on macOS, you’ll use the Mac Reader whenever you’re sitting at your desk. Otherwise, you will add content, organize your library, and manage your reading list on your Mac, and then listen on your iPhone. Be sure to enable iCloud Sync to synchronize your library.
Reader for macOS is offered as a monthly subscription with a 14-day free trial. (You can read my blog post on why it is by subscription.)
I hope you’ll download it and give it a try.