How to use Malhar

Everything you need to start, and the app's limits while it's in testing.

Get started

1. Download the app on an Android phone and open the file to install it. If Android asks, allow installs from your browser.
2. Open Malhar. The first time, three short screens show what it does; swipe through or tap Skip. Then Before we start explains why the app needs the microphone. Tap Continue and allow it. If you say no, you can still type and read.
3. Tap I'm new: sign up. Pick your main language and, if you like, a second one. Then enter your name and a password of at least 8 characters.
4. The app gives you a Malhar number. It's how you sign in, and how other people call you. Write it down with your password.
5. Choose how you like to talk: by typing, with cards, or by speaking. You can change all of this later on the Me tab.

The app has four tabs: Cards, Talk, Call and Me. The red Emergency button in the middle of the bottom bar opens your emergency cards from any tab.

Talk face to face

Use the Talk tab when you're with someone, at a shop, a clinic or a counter.

1. Type what you want to say and tap send. The phone says it out loud, in the other person's language if you've set one.
2. Tap Listen and hold the phone towards the other person. What they say appears as live captions in your language. Then answer with a reply, a card or your own words.
3. Tap Show to turn the screen into large text, so the other person can read it.

Calls

Calls work between two people who both have Malhar, over the internet.

1. On the Call tab, enter the other person's Malhar number, or save them as a contact.
2. When they answer, they first hear that an AI voice is speaking. Every call says this.
3. Type a reply or tap a suggested one. They hear it in your voice. What they say appears as captions.
4. If they don't answer, you can leave a short missed-call note, typed or spoken. They see it as text.

Both phones need an internet connection. Calls aren't recorded.

Cards and emergency

The Cards tab has ready phrases for daily life, the clinic and travel. Tap one and it's spoken. Add, edit and order your own.

Emergency cards are at the top, and the red Emergency button in the middle of the bottom bar opens them from anywhere in the app. One tap shows the message in large text and says it out loud. Emergency cards, and cards you've already spoken, work without an internet connection.

Your voice

Choose the voice that speaks for you on Me, then Voice:

• Shivani (female) or Avinash (male): natural stock voices, ready from day one.
• Your own voice: made from a short recording, only through a partner hospital. You need a code from the hospital, and you record whose voice it is and who gave consent. We never recreate the voice of someone who has died.

To set up your own voice: record at least 5 seconds of clear speech (up to 25 seconds is used). You can delete it at any time and go back to a stock voice.

Limits

Malhar is free and in testing. These limits keep it running for everyone.

Daily limits reset at midnight UTC (5:30 in the morning in India).

Also good to know

• The app is for Android only for now.
• Odia works for reading, typing and cards, but not for speech yet.
• Calls only reach other Malhar users, not normal phone numbers.
• Captions and spoken replies need an internet connection.

Need help?

Email blackmoreprivate@gmail.com. See also the privacy policy and how to delete your account.