Actually found "Text to Speech" Useful!

Gideon · 03-15-2009, 03:06 PM

I played with "text to speech" when I first got my Kindle, and found it rotten enough to ignore. But today I tried something different.

I plugged it into my car stereo like I would my ipod. And maybe it was just the sound of driving, wind, etc... but it wasn't terrible. I mean, don't get me wrong, it wasn't as good as a real audiobook but since I'd never buy an audiobook of a book I already owned this works out rather well enough.

I've got an 8 hour drive to Albuquerque next week, and plan on listening to it most the way! (Hopefully it can be powered by my car USB adapter, if not I have a USB battery charger).

xianfox · 03-15-2009, 03:18 PM

About a decade ago I was hospitalized with optic neuritis. It was a rather atypical instance of it in that I got it in both eyes simultaneously. In the course of about 36 hours I lost about 90% of my vision. The pain was unbearable initially, but once I was put on a steroid treatment in the hospital, the pain was gone. Unfortunately, I couldn't see to do anything either. What I wouldn't have given for an ipod or a TTS Kindle at the time.

I don't usually listen to audiobooks myself, but I know others who rarely read and keep Audible in business (yeah, I know they're Amazon owned too).

Glad you're finding TTS useful. Perhaps the K2 is a good bridge device.

Gideon · 03-15-2009, 03:28 PM

Is it better now?

I actually got a rather bad case of conjunctivitis the week before I got my kindle (on Feb. 15th) and was so photophobic (never had pain like it.. was like a migraine in my eyeballs) I couldn't deal with any amount of light for about a week. I was REALLY wishing I had the Kindle then.

Being struck temporarily blind, aside from the pain and the sheer...trauma of it, it was SO BORING!

xianfox · 03-15-2009, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gideon

Is it better now?

I actually got a rather bad case of conjunctivitis the week before I got my kindle (on Feb. 15th) and was so photophobic (never had pain like it.. was like a migraine in my eyeballs) I couldn't deal with any amount of light for about a week. I was REALLY wishing I had the Kindle then.

Being struck temporarily blind, aside from the pain and the sheer...trauma of it, it was SO BORING!

Yes, I should have mentioned that my eyesight did return slowly over the course of the next 4-6 weeks. But it was probably a good solid week before i could see well enough to read or watch TV. That was a boring week.

My optic neuritis started with a stiff neck and progressed to searing pain akin to an ice pick stabbing through my eyes. Prednisone was a miracle drug for me.

Glad to hear you're doing better as well.

S.Canton · 03-15-2009, 03:59 PM

I've played with it quite a bit and you know, it's not awful, but the technology isn't *quite* there in my opinion. I have a feeling this is going to improve significantly in the coming years.

MsAstoria · 03-15-2009, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gideon

I played with "text to speech" when I first got my Kindle, and found it rotten enough to ignore. But today I tried something different.

I plugged it into my car stereo like I would my ipod. And maybe it was just the sound of driving, wind, etc... but it wasn't terrible. I mean, don't get me wrong, it wasn't as good as a real audiobook but since I'd never buy an audiobook of a book I already owned this works out rather well enough.

Wow! That's super cool ! I have a Ipod attachment that plugs into my Ipod Shuffle and plays on the car radio. Nice! Now I can just plug it into the Kindle instead and have my Kindle read to me.

I can charge my Kindle via my car's cell phone charger if needed on long trip down to my Mom's house which is a nine hour drive.

busy91 · 03-15-2009, 06:14 PM

Great idea. I've used the feature when on the subway standing and it is crowded, or when I'm walking to/from the subway. No, it is no audio book, but it serves a purpose for me.

arshield · 03-15-2009, 06:29 PM

I have used it in my car for a couple mins at a time. But I also pretty much always have audiobooks loaded on it as well so I usually choose the audio book instead of the TTS.

catsittingstill · 03-15-2009, 06:34 PM

I used it when I was working out. You don't forget it's a computer, but for a computer it really isn't bad.

Hantra · 03-15-2009, 07:54 PM

Heck I use mine in the car with just the K2 speakers. I think it's as good as available right now. The female voice is better FWIW.

busy91 · 03-16-2009, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hantra

Heck I use mine in the car with just the K2 speakers. I think it's as good as available right now. The female voice is better FWIW.

I agree, I like the female voice better, less robotic.

KindleKat · 03-16-2009, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catsittingstill

I used it when I was working out. You don't forget it's a computer, but for a computer it really isn't bad.

Nope, text-to-speach has come a long way since "microsoft sam"

Sparrow · 03-16-2009, 11:04 AM

TTS must be a godsend for parents - they don't have to read bedtime stories to their kids any more.

Plug in the Kindle and pop up the pub!

pilotbob · 03-16-2009, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparrow

TTS must be a godsend for parents - they don't have to read bedtime stories to their kids any more.

I much enjoyed reading to my kids. I didn't see it as a chore at all.

BOb

StanDaMan · 03-16-2009, 08:20 PM

I still can't bare TTS. It just drives me nuts. 8 hours of that voice would caught me either a to fall asleep at the wheel, or give me a migraine. I'm not sure which.

03-15-2009, 03:06 PM	#1
Gideon Wearer of Pants Posts: 1,050 Karma: 7634 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Norman, OK Device: Amazon Kindle DX / iPhone	Actually found "Text to Speech" Useful! I played with "text to speech" when I first got my Kindle, and found it rotten enough to ignore. But today I tried something different. I plugged it into my car stereo like I would my ipod. And maybe it was just the sound of driving, wind, etc... but it wasn't terrible. I mean, don't get me wrong, it wasn't as good as a real audiobook but since I'd never buy an audiobook of a book I already owned this works out rather well enough. I've got an 8 hour drive to Albuquerque next week, and plan on listening to it most the way! (Hopefully it can be powered by my car USB adapter, if not I have a USB battery charger).

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03-15-2009, 03:18 PM	#2
xianfox Ebook Addict Posts: 225 Karma: 2136 Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Appleton, Wisconsin, USA Device: Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition	About a decade ago I was hospitalized with optic neuritis. It was a rather atypical instance of it in that I got it in both eyes simultaneously. In the course of about 36 hours I lost about 90% of my vision. The pain was unbearable initially, but once I was put on a steroid treatment in the hospital, the pain was gone. Unfortunately, I couldn't see to do anything either. What I wouldn't have given for an ipod or a TTS Kindle at the time. I don't usually listen to audiobooks myself, but I know others who rarely read and keep Audible in business (yeah, I know they're Amazon owned too). Glad you're finding TTS useful. Perhaps the K2 is a good bridge device.

03-15-2009, 03:28 PM	#3
Gideon Wearer of Pants Posts: 1,050 Karma: 7634 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Norman, OK Device: Amazon Kindle DX / iPhone	Is it better now? I actually got a rather bad case of conjunctivitis the week before I got my kindle (on Feb. 15th) and was so photophobic (never had pain like it.. was like a migraine in my eyeballs) I couldn't deal with any amount of light for about a week. I was REALLY wishing I had the Kindle then. Being struck temporarily blind, aside from the pain and the sheer...trauma of it, it was SO BORING!

03-15-2009, 03:59 PM	#5
S.Canton Groupie Posts: 174 Karma: 12 Join Date: Jan 2009 Device: Kindle 2	I've played with it quite a bit and you know, it's not awful, but the technology isn't quite there in my opinion. I have a feeling this is going to improve significantly in the coming years.

03-15-2009, 06:14 PM	#7
busy91 Connoisseur Posts: 79 Karma: 264 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: NYC Device: Kindle 2, Nook Color	Great idea. I've used the feature when on the subway standing and it is crowded, or when I'm walking to/from the subway. No, it is no audio book, but it serves a purpose for me.

03-15-2009, 06:29 PM	#8
arshield Enthusiast Posts: 33 Karma: 64 Join Date: Oct 2008 Device: Kindle	I have used it in my car for a couple mins at a time. But I also pretty much always have audiobooks loaded on it as well so I usually choose the audio book instead of the TTS.

03-15-2009, 06:34 PM	#9
catsittingstill Guru Posts: 643 Karma: 551634 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Kindle 1.0.8, iPod Touch, Kindle Keyboard	I used it when I was working out. You don't forget it's a computer, but for a computer it really isn't bad.

03-15-2009, 07:54 PM	#10
Hantra Enthusiast Posts: 27 Karma: 18 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Kindle 3	Heck I use mine in the car with just the K2 speakers. I think it's as good as available right now. The female voice is better FWIW.

03-16-2009, 11:04 AM	#13
Sparrow Wizard Posts: 4,395 Karma: 1358132 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: UK Device: Palm TX, CyBook Gen3	TTS must be a godsend for parents - they don't have to read bedtime stories to their kids any more. Plug in the Kindle and pop up the pub!

03-16-2009, 08:20 PM	#15
StanDaMan Connoisseur Posts: 79 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: kindle	I still can't bare TTS. It just drives me nuts. 8 hours of that voice would caught me either a to fall asleep at the wheel, or give me a migraine. I'm not sure which.