Voice-first recording
Tellus starts with a simple prompt, then the family member taps record and speaks their memory instead of writing it out.
Tellus
Tellus is a voice-first memoir app for families to record parents’ and grandparents’ stories and turn them into a written memoir and illustrated children’s book.
Overview
Tellus is a voice-based memoir app for families that want to preserve parents’ and grandparents’ stories without asking them to write or edit. It prompts a person with a question, records their answer, and turns that audio into a structured written memoir and an illustrated children's book.
The product is built around a simple workflow: ask, record, create. According to the site, each new recording becomes part of a living memoir that grows over time, while the original voice recording is preserved so relatives can hear the speaker’s actual voice later.
Core features
AI memoir generation
The app turns recordings into written memoir chapters, preserving the speaker’s wording and accent rather than presenting a raw transcript.
Children's storybook output
Each recording also becomes an illustrated storybook version for children, so the same memory can be read in a different format.
Living memoir library
The site says the memoired story grows with each new recording, letting families build a longer life story over time.
Private family access
Recordings are described as encrypted and family-controlled, with access limited to the people the recorder chooses.
Multi-language support
Tellus states support for 95+ languages, which broadens use beyond English-only families.
Common use cases
Build a family memoir over time
A daughter or son can record a parent’s memories in short sessions, then return later as more stories come in to build a longer written family history.
Record stories without writing
Grandparents can answer prompts in their own words, even if they prefer speaking over typing, which makes the process easier for less tech-focused relatives.
Create a children's keepsake
Families can turn a single memory into a child-friendly illustrated story that children can revisit as a bedtime read-aloud.
Share stories within the family
Relatives who live far apart can still receive access to the recorded stories and memoir outputs through the family-controlled sharing model described on the site.
Capture stories in multiple languages
Families with non-English speakers can record in one of the supported languages instead of relying on translation or English-only prompts.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Captures stories by voice, which reduces the need for typing or editing.
- Creates two usable outputs from one recording: a written memoir and a children's storybook.
- Preserves the original voice recording alongside the written output.
- Offers a free tier for recording before upgrading.
- Describes private, encrypted, family-controlled access.
Cons
- The source does not show a dedicated workflow for collaboration or multiple family editors.
- Pricing and feature details are clear, but the site provides limited information about third-party integrations or export options.
FAQ
How does Tellus work?
Tellus is a voice-first memoir app. It prompts a family member with a question, lets them record an answer, and then turns that recording into a written memoir chapter and an illustrated children's story.
What does Tellus create from a recording?
The source says it creates two outputs from each recording: a memoir for adults and an illustrated children's book for children in the family.
Can someone use Tellus if English is not their first language?
Yes. The site says stories can be recorded in 95+ languages, and it notes that the app is designed for people who may not want to type or edit.
Is family content private?
The site says recordings are private, encrypted, and controlled by the person who made them, with family-only access.
Can I try Tellus before paying?
The pricing page says there is a free tier for unlimited recording, and a one-time $69.99 lifetime option for memoir, storybooks, and sharing.
Quick Facts
- Category
- Memoir app
- Primary users
- Families recording parents' and grandparents' stories
- Core workflow
- Ask a question, record the answer, generate memoir and storybook outputs
- Platform
- Web app
- Language support
- 95+ languages
- Pricing model
- Free recording tier; one-time lifetime payment option
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