Quote:
Originally Posted by StephanieP
...But still, you have to admit it sounds awfully funny to not allow something to be read aloud. 
Even if the program won't read it aloud, nothing is stopping the person who bought it from doing so. I fail to see how disabling that protects much of anything. |
The main thing it really protects from is allowing the blind to use the almost always cheaper ebook version (instead, forcing them to purchase the overpriced audiobook, instead). That may not be the "reason", but it is the effect.
One positive side effect is that it prevents parents from giving the kids the book and leaving them to have it read to them by the computer, forcing the parent to read to the child themselves (although, face it, for that type of parent it just means they leave the kid in front of the tv instead).
The read aloud function is also helpful to those who have poor reading skills or who are learning a new language (although the pronunciation can be off a bit for this use).