Hable Launches “Speech Label” System Combining NFC and QR Tags with Cloud-Based Voice Notes

Netherlands-based company Hable has announced a new accessible labelling system called Speech Label. Speaking on Double Tap, Freek van Welsenis, co-founder of Hable, confirmed the product is now available and designed to simplify how blind users organise everyday items using smartphones. The system combines physical labels with an app, allowing users to attach and retrieve audio or text information.

Speech Label uses both NFC and QR-based tags that can be attached to objects such as food containers, clothing, or household items. Users scan a label with their phone and record a voice note or add text, which is then played back or displayed on subsequent scans. Van Welsenis said the goal was to prioritise simplicity and accessibility: “You just need to scan them once, add your message, and next time you scan it, it works.”

Unlike standalone devices such as the PenFriend, the system is smartphone-based, integrating with screen readers including VoiceOver and TalkBack. Labels are stored in the cloud, enabling access across devices and allowing shared use. “If someone else scans it… they would also get the same information,” he explained, highlighting use cases in shared households or workplaces.

The product supports both private and public labels, enabling users to control whether information is shared. It also offers multiple input options, including voice recordings, short titles, and longer text descriptions. Currently, an internet connection is required, although offline functionality is in development.

Four label types are available, including thin and thick QR stickers, NFC stickers, and sewable NFC buttons for clothing. Pricing starts at €18 for a starter pack, with individual label packs ranging from €20 to €29.

Van Welsenis also confirmed ongoing development across Hable’s product line, including updates for Hable One and Hable Easy, and hinted at additional product launches later this year.

Speech Label enters a category of existing accessible labelling tools but differentiates itself through smartphone integration, cloud syncing, and multi-user functionality. Its approach reflects a broader shift toward consolidating assistive tools into mainstream devices, reducing the need for dedicated hardware.

Resources

• Hable official website: https://www.iamhable.com/en-om
• Product information (Speech Label): https://www.iamhable.com/en-om/collections/speechlabel-tags-labels