Quote:
Originally Posted by Ervserver
Text to speech has been around a long time, one doesn't need a $400 Kindle to utilize this technology. Don't schools have computers?
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The problem is that DRM prevents most eBooks from actually using the read-aloud feature of the display programs that have such. With the K2, this read-aloud works with the DRM so it's not an issue like it is with PDF or MS Reader formats. DRM has usually be anti-disabled and that's unfair. That's why the DMCA exceptions make it legal in the USA to remove the DRM so read-aloud works. But if you don't know how and where to get the tools, that's not an option. The K2 makes it an option now to have books read to you. So people with disabilities that make it hard to read can have their books read to them. Granted it is not as nice as a true audiobook, but for books that do not have an audiobook version, it's better then missing out on a lot of books.
I would like to see the heads of the Author's Guild say to a child who has disabilities that they want to take this feature away and you cannot have it and so we are going to make books less accessible to you. If they really did that, then I would urge every author who is a member who disagrees with removing the TTS from the K2 to cancel their memberships. In fact, that's actually a good idea.