October 12th, 2026 v2026.10.12
Just shipped
New Features
- New
A Native PDF Workspace on iPhone, iPad and Mac
Open PDFs in the Helperbird app, return to recent files, search pages and keep notes beside your document. Add highlights, drawings, rich text, pictures and equations, then export a copy. The app keeps a local copy so your original PDF stays unchanged.
- New
Read and Write with Apple Voices
The native PDF reader uses installed Apple voices, with word highlighting, pause, resume, speed and position controls. Search voices by name, language or region. On-device voice typing is available in the native text editor when your device, language and permissions support it.
- New
More Ways to Understand Native PDFs
Extract text from scanned pages, use Apple’s translation sheet and read the extracted or translated text aloud. Summaries, explanations and Writing Tools are available on supported devices with Apple Intelligence ready. These native reading tools do not require a Helperbird account.
- New
PDF Text Boxes Leave More Room to Read
In the browser PDF reader, a filled text box hides its formatting bar when you click away. Click back to show the controls briefly; they stay available while you use them. Move a box from its page bar or the compact corner handle, and resize it with the matching handle. The cream header also follows dark mode.
- New
A Simpler Voice Typing Panel
Smaller, consistent controls leave more space for your text. Open Options to choose Regular, Math, Chemistry or Physics mode, or to Copy, Listen, Print and Clear. The menu supports keyboard navigation and closes with Escape.
- New
Choose How Spoken Punctuation Works
In Voice typing Options, turn Spoken punctuation on to use commands such as “period” for “.” in Regular mode. Turn it off when you want those words written out. The saved choice applies to your next recording, including voice typing in PDF Notepad.
- New
Clearer Translation Help for Google Slides
Translate on Google Slides now explains how to use the Helperbird Workspace add-on or Screenshot Reader. Starting Screenshot Reader from this guide sends the captured slide text into Immersive Reader, where you can choose a translation in Reading Preferences.
- New
Beta Settings Are Easier to Scan
Beta settings now share one clean card with shorter explanations. The word-highlighting example and color choices stay together, and presentation settings sit under More options. Voice typing directly into a page, including Google Docs, remains an optional beta feature.
- New
A Clearer Name for Natural Voices
The English voice picker now labels the Neural Voices group “Natural voices.” Your selected voice and playback settings stay the same.
Bug Fixes
- Fix
Reading Rulers Follow the Cursor by Default
A new user’s reading ruler could appear stuck because cursor following started off. Rulers now follow the cursor when no preference has been saved. If you have already chosen to keep your ruler fixed, Helperbird keeps that choice.
- Fix
Read Aloud Fits Smaller Popups
The Read Aloud dialog adapts to shorter browser popups and enlarged text. Its content scrolls when needed, keeping the Close button, voice choices and playback controls reachable.
- Fix
Screenshot Reader Sits Beside the PDF Notice
On scanned PDF pages, the Screenshot Reader button now sits beside the explanation when there is room. The notice wraps on smaller screens without crowding its dismiss button.
- Fix
Safari Toolbar Actions Match Available Features
The floating toolbar now updates its available actions when your Helperbird plan finishes loading, including when the result arrives after the toolbar has opened.
- Fix
More Reliable Notes and Reading Tools
This release adds protection when opening or pasting formatted notes, tightens checks around reading sessions and fixes Word Prediction lookups for text containing punctuation.
