TalkBuoy

AI-powered assistant for interviews, speeches, revision, podcasts & conversations

Tired of AI interviews and rapid-fire questions where you have no time to think?

Get your own back with TalkBuoy.

🎧 Listens in real time and suggests smart responses instantly
💼 Interview prep, speech Q&A, podcasts & everyday conversations
🔒 Private - your audio is never stored
📞 Works on video calls, speakerphone calls & in-person conversations
🔇 Smart auto-mute - filters your voice & silences mic during read-aloud
📱 Install as an app on any device - works offline-ready as a PWA
📚 Revision mode - paste notes, get quizzed, and study hands-free
🌎 Travel helper - someone speaks to you in another language? TalkBuoy listens and suggests what to say back
🔈 Free text-to-speech included - have suggestions read aloud at no extra cost. Upgrade for premium AI voices

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Start with a free 10-minute trial - no credit card required to sign up.

How It Works

1
Choose your mode

Interview, Speech Q&A, Podcast, or Conversation - TalkBuoy adapts to the situation.

2
Start listening

TalkBuoy uses your microphone to hear what the other person says in real time.

3
Get smart suggestions

AI-generated responses appear on screen within seconds - read them, adapt them, or use them as inspiration.

5 Modes for Every Situation

Choose the mode that fits your situation. Each one tailors how TalkBuoy listens and responds.

💼 Interview Mode

For job interviews and professional meetings. Upload your CV and add notes about your experience. TalkBuoy listens to the interviewer's questions and suggests 2-3 tailored answers that reference your real skills and background. Use voice calibration so it only responds to the interviewer, not you.

🎤 Speech Q&A Mode

For audience questions after a talk or presentation. Paste your speaker notes or slides summary. When someone asks a question, TalkBuoy suggests answers based on your material - including a diplomatic option for tricky questions. It can also search the web if a question needs current data.

🎙 Podcast Mode

For podcast appearances, panels, and media interviews. Add your bio and talking points. TalkBuoy suggests conversational, story-driven answers - one with an anecdote, one direct, and one quotable. Keeps you sounding natural and prepared without a script.

💬 Conversation Mode

For everyday chats, networking events, or any situation where you want backup. No prep needed - just start listening. TalkBuoy suggests casual, natural responses with varied tones: warm, light-hearted, or thoughtful. Great for social situations or when speaking in a second language.

📚 Revision Mode

For studying and exam prep. Paste your notes or study material. Say "quiz me" and TalkBuoy asks you questions from your notes, marks your answers, and explains what you got wrong. Say "read" or "tell me about [topic]" to have it summarise sections. Skip voice calibration in this mode so TalkBuoy hears you and you can talk to it directly - it becomes a hands-free study partner.

Tips for Best Results

🔊 Volume up, phone off silent

TalkBuoy hears through your mic. Make sure the other person's voice is audible - turn the speaker volume up and check your phone isn't on silent.

💻 Two devices required for calls

Phone calls lock the microphone - TalkBuoy can't listen on the same phone as your call, even as a PWA. Take the call on your phone (on speaker) and run TalkBuoy on a laptop or tablet nearby. For video calls on a laptop, just open TalkBuoy in another tab.

🎧 Use earbuds for in-person

In face-to-face interviews or meetings, wear earbuds with a mic. The mic picks up everyone in the room while TalkBuoy's suggestions stay private - only you can see and hear them.

🎤 Calibrate your voice

Record the 5-second voice sample before starting. This lets TalkBuoy filter out your voice and only respond to the other person.

💡 Keep it close & quiet

Position the speaker close to your mic and minimise background noise for the best transcription accuracy.

Simple Pricing

Free Trial
$0
10 minutes included
No credit card required
Free text-to-speech included
Student
$4.99/mo
2 hours per month
All modes & features
+ Premium AI voices
Pro
$9.99/mo
4 hours per month
All modes & features
+ Premium AI voices
Plus
$19.99/mo
8 hours per month
All modes & features
+ Premium AI voices

🔈 Text-to-speech is free on all plans - suggestions can be read aloud using your browser's voices at no cost. Premium AI voices are included with paid plans.

Need more? Top up anytime: 1 hr/$2.99 · 3 hrs/$7.99 · 5 hrs/$11.99

Cancel anytime. Billed monthly via Stripe.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is TalkBuoy?

TalkBuoy is an AI-powered real-time assistant that listens to conversations through your microphone, suggests smart responses on screen, and speaks them in your ear. It's designed for job interviews, Q&A sessions after presentations, podcast appearances, and everyday conversations where you want a bit of backup.

Is my audio recorded or stored?

No. Audio is streamed to our servers for real-time transcription and then immediately discarded. We do not store, save, or replay any audio recordings. Transcripts are held only for the duration of your session.

How does voice calibration work?

Before starting a session you can record a short 5-second voice sample. TalkBuoy uses this to recognise your voice and filter it out, so it only transcribes and responds to the other person speaking.

Can I use TalkBuoy on calls?

Yes! There are a few ways to use it during calls:

Video calls (Zoom, Teams, Meet): Open TalkBuoy in a browser tab alongside your call. With speakers on, your mic picks up what the other person says and suggestions appear on screen.

Two-device setup: Join the call on your phone and place it near your laptop running TalkBuoy. The laptop mic hears the call audio from your phone speaker.

Virtual audio routing (advanced): Use tools like VB-Cable (Windows) or BlackHole (Mac) to route your call's audio output directly into TalkBuoy's mic input for cleaner capture without background noise.

Smart auto-mute: When TalkBuoy reads a suggestion aloud (Speaker On), it automatically mutes the mic so it doesn't transcribe its own voice. Your voice is also filtered out using the voice calibration you set up before the session.

In-person meetings: Wear earbuds with a mic and run TalkBuoy on your phone or laptop. The mic picks up everyone else in the room while suggestions stay private to you on screen (or read aloud through your earbuds).

Important - two devices required for phone calls: Phone calls lock the microphone at the OS level. You cannot run TalkBuoy on the same phone as your call - not in the browser, not as a PWA. You need a second device (laptop or tablet) running TalkBuoy while the call plays on speaker from your phone. Make sure the phone is not on silent, the speaker volume is up, and the phone is placed close to your laptop mic.

What devices and browsers are supported?

TalkBuoy works in any modern browser with microphone access - Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari on desktop and mobile. You can also install it as a PWA (Progressive Web App) for a native app experience.

How do I install TalkBuoy on my phone?

TalkBuoy can be installed as an app directly from your browser - no app store needed.

iPhone / iPad (Safari):

  1. Open TalkBuoy in Safari (this won't work in Chrome or other browsers on iOS).
  2. Tap the Share button (the square with an arrow at the bottom of the screen).
  3. Scroll down and tap "Add to Home Screen".
  4. Tap "Add" in the top right. Done - TalkBuoy now appears as an app on your home screen.

Android (Chrome):

  1. Open TalkBuoy in Chrome.
  2. Tap the three-dot menu (top right).
  3. Tap "Install app" or "Add to Home Screen".
  4. Confirm by tapping "Install". The app icon will appear on your home screen.

Desktop (Chrome / Edge): Click the install icon in the address bar, or go to the browser menu and select "Install TalkBuoy".

Is text-to-speech free?

Yes! TalkBuoy includes free text-to-speech using your browser's built-in voices. You can have suggestions read aloud at no extra cost on any plan, including the free trial.

If you'd like a more natural, lifelike experience, premium AI voices (powered by OpenAI) are available on paid plans (Student, Pro, or Plus). But the free voices work great and are always available.

Can I cancel my subscription?

Yes, you can cancel at any time from your profile menu. You'll continue to have access until the end of your current billing period. Subscriptions are managed securely through Stripe.

What happens when my trial runs out?

When your 10 free minutes are used up, you'll be prompted to upgrade. Your account and any uploaded CVs are kept - just pick a plan to continue.

TalkBuoy

Trial

AI-powered assistant for interviews, speeches, revision, podcasts & conversations

Quick start: Choose a mode below, follow the step-by-step instructions, then tap Start Listening at the bottom. TalkBuoy listens through your microphone and shows suggested responses on screen.
10 min remaining

1. Upload Your CV (Optional)

Upload your resume or CV so TalkBuoy can reference your real experience, skills, and achievements in its suggested answers. Most useful for Interview Mode. You can skip this for other modes.

2. Choose Mode

Revision Mode - Step by Step
  1. Paste your study notes below - textbook excerpts, revision guides, lecture notes, or anything you need to learn.
  2. Do NOT record your voice - skip step 3 entirely. TalkBuoy needs to hear you so you can talk to it and answer its questions.
  3. Test your microphone (scroll down to step 4) and tap Start Listening.
  4. Tap the Quiz Me button (or say "quiz me" out loud) - TalkBuoy asks you a question based on your notes.
  5. Answer out loud - TalkBuoy hears your answer, tells you if you're right or wrong, and explains the correct answer.
  6. Keep going - it asks the next question automatically. Say "quiz me" again anytime for a new question.
  7. Say "tell me about [topic]" to hear a summary of a specific section from your notes.
  8. Tap Read Notes to have your full notes read aloud to you.
  9. Tap Speaker On for fully hands-free studying - hear questions and feedback through your earbuds without looking at the screen.
  10. Tap Stop when you're done studying.

Keyword Triggers (Optional)

Most useful for Interview Mode. Pre-write answers for questions you expect to be asked.

How it works: Type a keyword (e.g. "strengths") and write your answer. During the session, when the interviewer says that keyword, your pre-written answer appears and is read aloud instantly - no waiting for AI.

3. Record Your Voice (Optional)

This teaches TalkBuoy what your voice sounds like so it can ignore you and only respond to the other person.

Record your voice if using: Interview, Speech Q&A, Podcast, or Conversation mode. Tap the button below and speak normally for 5 seconds. TalkBuoy will then filter out your voice and only listen to the other person (interviewer, audience, host).
Skip this step if using: Revision mode. In Revision mode, TalkBuoy needs to hear you so you can answer quiz questions out loud and talk to it directly.
⚠️ Phone on silent? Turn it off! Make sure your volume is up - the microphone won't pick up audio otherwise.

4. Test Mic & Start

Test your microphone to make sure TalkBuoy can hear audio. You should see the green bar move when you speak or play sound. Once it works, tap Start Listening to begin your session.

After you start, TalkBuoy will listen through your mic and show suggested responses on the next screen. In Revision Mode, say "quiz me" or tap the Quiz Me button to get started.

Speech Assistant (Separate from Sessions)

This is a standalone tool - it is not part of a session. Type or paste any text and tap Read Aloud to hear it spoken. Use this to practise answers before a session, test your earbuds, or hear text spoken back to you.

Free browser voices are included on all plans, including the free trial. Tick "Premium voice" for higher-quality AI voices (paid plans only).

1x

TalkBuoy

Interview Mode

What They Said

Listening... speak or play audio near your mic.

Suggested Response

Suggestions will appear here after they finish speaking.