# Macsen — Cynorthwyydd Personol Digidol

> Open-source Welsh language voice assistant for tasks and information. (iPhone/iPad app by Bangor University.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/macsen/id1489915663 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Bangor University](https://appshunter.io/developer/570171572)
- Category: Utilities, Education
- Price: Free
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 2 App Store ratings
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.1 · 50 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2020-03-18
- Data updated: 2026-06-05
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/macsen/id1489915663/reviews.md

## What is Macsen?

Scroll down for English

Mae Macsen yn feddalwedd cynorthwyydd personol Cymraeg cod agored tebyg i Alexa neu’r Google Assistant. Ystyr cod agored yw y gall unrhyw un weld, addasu a dosbarthu’r cod fel yr hoffen nhw. Mae’n gweithio fel ap ar ffôn neu dabled yn ogystal â fersiwn ar-lein. Mae’n bosib siarad gyda Macsen mewn Cymraeg naturiol er mwyn gofyn iddo gwblhau tasgau neu ofyn am wybodaeth,

Erbyn hyn, mae gan ap Macsen nifer o sgiliau, gan gynnwys y gallu i chwarae cerddoriaeth Cymraeg ar Spotify, rhaglenni ar S4C Clic, rhoi’r golau ymlaen neu i ffwrdd, adrodd y newyddion diweddaraf, darparu rhagolygon y tywydd, defnyddio ChatGPT, cyfieithu lleferydd Saesneg i destun Cymraeg a thrawsgrifio lleferydd Cymraeg i destun. Felly mae modd teipio yn ogystal â defnyddio’r llais i ofyn cwestiynau a rhoi gorchmynion i Macsen.

Rydyn ni’n defnyddio’r project hwn i ddangos beth allwn ni greu wrth ddatblygu technoleg lleferydd a deallusrwydd artiffisial Cymraeg. Rydyn ni’n cyhoeddi’r cydrannau a’r adnoddau perthnasol yma yn agored ar y Porth Technolegau Iaith, er mwyn i ddatblygwyr eraill hefyd fedru’u defnyddio. Rydyn ni wrthi yn gwneud ymchwil pellach i’w wella, a’i alluogi mewn sefyllfaoedd eraill.

Macsen is an open source Welsh language voice assistant similar to Alexa or the Google Assistant. Open source means that anyone can see, adapt and distribute its code as they wish. It works as an app for phones and tablets. An online version is also available. You can speak in Welsh to Macsen to ask it to do various tasks or provide information.

Its growing set of skills include the ability to play Welsh Language music through Spotify, programmes through S4C Clic, turn the light on or off, get the news and weather, use ChatGPT, translate spoken English to Welsh text and transcribe Welsh speech to text.

We are using this project to show what we can create when developing Welsh language speech technology and artificial intelligence. We publish relevant components and resources with open licences on the Welsh National Language Technology Portal, so that other developers can also use them. We are also undertaking further research to improve it, and to enable it in other environments.

## Key features

- Welsh language voice commands
- Play Welsh music on Spotify
- Access S4C Clic programs
- Control smart home devices
- Get news and weather updates
- Translate English speech to Welsh text
- Transcribe Welsh speech to text


## Frequently asked questions about Macsen

### What can Macsen do?

Macsen can perform various tasks and provide information using Welsh voice commands. Its skills include playing Welsh music on Spotify, accessing S4C Clic programs, controlling smart lights, delivering news and weather, using ChatGPT, translating spoken English to Welsh text, and transcribing Welsh speech to text.

### Is Macsen available on multiple devices?

Yes, Macsen is available as an app for iPhones and iPads, and also has an online version. It is designed to work on these Apple devices.

### How often is Macsen updated?

The latest version of Macsen is 1.0.13, which was last updated on April 1, 2026. The developers are continuously conducting research to improve its capabilities and enable it in other environments.

### What is the age rating for Macsen?

Macsen has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for children and adults. This indicates it contains content appropriate for a general audience.

### Is Macsen free to use?

Yes, Macsen is completely free to download and use. There are no costs associated with its download or any in-app purchases.

### Does Macsen have ads?

No, Macsen does not contain advertisements. As an open-source project focused on language technology, it provides an ad-free experience for users.

### What makes Macsen unique?

Macsen is unique as an open-source Welsh language voice assistant, developed by Bangor University. It aims to advance Welsh language speech technology and artificial intelligence, making its code and resources available to other developers.

### Can I interact with Macsen using text?

Yes, in addition to voice commands, you can also type questions and give commands to Macsen. This provides flexibility in how users interact with the assistant.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.0.13 — 2026-04-01

Added

- Live translation feature (cyfieithu ar y pryd)
- Real-time translation using Canolfan APIs translation service
- Translate spoken English to Welsh
- Seamless integration with voice commands
 
Changed

- Improved voice detection performance
- Works offline without internet connection for voice activity detection
- Better handling of microphone permissions on iOS
 
Fixed

- App startup issues on iOS devices
- Voice recognition reliability improvements
- Permission requests now work correctly on first launch

### 1.0.11 — 2023-11-02

1)Tab Cynorthwydd / Assistant Tab
2)Tab Trawsgriffio /  Transcribe Tab
3)Tab Llefarydd / Speak Tab
4)Tab Cyfieithu / Translator Tab

### 1.0.3 — 2022-03-17

Sgil newydd amserydd
Sgil newydd drawsgrifio
Sgil newydd golau Phillips HUE
New timer skill
New transcribing skill
New Phillips HUE lights skill

### 1.0.1 — 2020-10-29

Sgìl newydd S4C Clic
New S4C Clic skill

### 1.0.0 — 2020-03-18

No release notes.

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All apps by Bangor University: https://appshunter.io/developer/570171572

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-05.*