Text to speech

carmonli · 07-28-2020, 12:20 AM

I currently have a Paperwhite 4th gen for my main ereader. I've been using my old Kindle Touch only for TTS capabilities (I don't want or plan to go the Audible route). The Touch battery is pretty useless. I was having to charge it after only a couple of hours of use each time - it would completely drain. Now, it seems the charging port is wonky as well. I have to position the cable JUST right in order for it to charge, and I have no confidence that it won't die completely, very soon. (I'm not upset, it's had a good run, etc.)

My question is this - if I want to continue using TTS, what's the best way to go about it? Bluetooth speakers for my Paperwhite? Try to find a refurbished Touch or Voyage? Or maybe even a Fire? I'm open to all suggestions.

TIA

Deskisamess · 07-28-2020, 09:41 AM

Do you have a smart phone? iPhones have "voice over" that works pretty much like TTS. I'm sure android offer something similar.

I've never used the TTS option on my newer Kindles because those few times I want it, I don't want to have to use earbuds or Bluetooth speaker. The Kindles that offer it now don't have their own speakers, you have to use Bluetooth earbuds or speakers.

carmonli · 07-28-2020, 10:27 AM

I do have an Android phone. If I understand the option you're describing, it's the accessibility feature that reads everything. I'm just looking for the TTS feature that will read the text of a book (the somewhat robotic voice doesn't bother me).

Deskisamess · 07-28-2020, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carmonli

I do have an Android phone. If I understand the option you're describing, it's the accessibility feature that reads everything. I'm just looking for the TTS feature that will read the text of a book (the somewhat robotic voice doesn't bother me).

The voice over feature doesn't read "everything." You use the Kindle app, open the book, then use the voice over. It reads the book text, just like TTS.

Screen Reader reads all menus etc. and is for users with vision issues.

Not sure what the 2 options are called on Android.

tomsem · 07-28-2020, 12:05 PM

On iOS, the better option for TTS-like functionality is Speak Screen, a subset of the more full blown VoiceOver.

But Fire tablets are probably the best option for TTS, at least for Kindle books. There are eight voices for English alone, and it is easier to operate than the screen readers found on newer Kindles.

07-28-2020, 12:20 AM	#1
carmonli Member Posts: 19 Karma: 2136808 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Kindle	Text to speech I currently have a Paperwhite 4th gen for my main ereader. I've been using my old Kindle Touch only for TTS capabilities (I don't want or plan to go the Audible route). The Touch battery is pretty useless. I was having to charge it after only a couple of hours of use each time - it would completely drain. Now, it seems the charging port is wonky as well. I have to position the cable JUST right in order for it to charge, and I have no confidence that it won't die completely, very soon. (I'm not upset, it's had a good run, etc.) My question is this - if I want to continue using TTS, what's the best way to go about it? Bluetooth speakers for my Paperwhite? Try to find a refurbished Touch or Voyage? Or maybe even a Fire? I'm open to all suggestions. TIA

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07-28-2020, 09:41 AM	#2
Deskisamess Wizard Posts: 2,752 Karma: 45301087 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Ohio Device: iPhone 13 Pro, iPad mini, iPad Pro 12.9",Paperwhite 6.8", Scribe 2022	Do you have a smart phone? iPhones have "voice over" that works pretty much like TTS. I'm sure android offer something similar. I've never used the TTS option on my newer Kindles because those few times I want it, I don't want to have to use earbuds or Bluetooth speaker. The Kindles that offer it now don't have their own speakers, you have to use Bluetooth earbuds or speakers.

07-28-2020, 10:27 AM	#3
carmonli Member Posts: 19 Karma: 2136808 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Kindle	I do have an Android phone. If I understand the option you're describing, it's the accessibility feature that reads everything. I'm just looking for the TTS feature that will read the text of a book (the somewhat robotic voice doesn't bother me).

07-28-2020, 12:05 PM	#5
tomsem Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,939 Karma: 27060151 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: USA Device: iPhone 15PM, Kindle Scribe, iPad mini 6, PocketBook InkPad Color 3	On iOS, the better option for TTS-like functionality is Speak Screen, a subset of the more full blown VoiceOver. But Fire tablets are probably the best option for TTS, at least for Kindle books. There are eight voices for English alone, and it is easier to operate than the screen readers found on newer Kindles.