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Rap like a pro with free Apple, Android app

If the popular Songify app can turn your spoken words into a melodic song, AutoRap — as the name suggests — is for those who want to rap like a professional.

And just like Songify, no talent is required.

The free app works as follows: Simply talk into your iPad, iPhone, iPod touch or Android device about whatever is on your mind and when you're done you'll hear your spoken words transformed into a rap, along with a more melodic "singing" portion that sounds like it uses the same technology as Songify (both are from app maker Smule).

If you really want it to sound good, try to rhyme your words at the end of each short passage.

You can play back the creation as often as you like, share it via email or post it to your favourite social network.

There are two modes: Talk and Rap. With the former, you're talking into your device without hearing anything. When you're done, however, your vocal performance will be processed and played back on top of the background music. In the karaoke-style Rap mode, AutoRap plays the music while you speak, with lyrics that roll across the screen. It is greatly improved when you play it back thanks to rhythm correction, auto-tune and other effects.

You can also vote on other people's raps to help them climb the online "Rap Battle" charts, after you hear their performances.

By default, you get free music tracks like "Turkey Burgers" by Midi Mafia and "OneOneOne" by WiliOne, but you can also take advantage of "freestyle beats" and premium songs from popular rappers like Eminem, 2Pac, Ludacris, Snoop Dogg, Nicki Minaj, 50 Cent, B.o.B., Beastie Boys, Nelly and Outkast.

Each song costs one "Play," which you can earn by downloading other apps, buying something from an online store or service, or signing up for Netflix. Alternatively, you can buy "Play" packs, such as $2.99 for 40 plays or $8.99 for 200 plays. But this is confusing, as it's broken into "freestyle" and "premium" plays — the latter of which costs more — and you only get to rap with one song once, instead of unlocking that song for future use inside the app.

Compare this to the just-launched Tap Tap Revenge Tour from Disney Mobile, where you get hit songs included with the app and a free one to download a day (song packs are also available for purchase).

Despite the confusing pricing model, AutoRap is a lot of fun for fans of the rap music genre.

If you're interested, here's a video walkthrough of AutoRap: