Reading apps w/TTS?

tomsem · 10-07-2012, 01:59 AM

Are there any iOS reading apps that have text-to-speech? There are several on Android, but I've never learned of one on iOS. I'm not talking about VoiceOver, but just straight TTS.

kyteflyer · 10-09-2012, 07:28 PM

I don't think any of the book devs have bothered. Most people wanting to hear a book will get an audiobook... Thats what I do, because I find I can concentrate better with audiobooks than on reading on a screen or a book.

tomsem · 10-10-2012, 07:06 PM

That just seems odd. iOS has decent voice synthesis, and I assume the SDK gives access to it. Audiobooks may be 'better' but TTS is just fine if you want to keep reading when your hands cannot operate the device.

kyteflyer · 10-11-2012, 01:35 AM

Yes and no. Adding TTS is also going to add to the size of the app. I wouldnt bother with a reading app that had it.

tomsem · 10-12-2012, 07:38 PM

It doesn't make the app bigger. TTS is a system resource, the app just needs to call the api.

Philantrop · 10-13-2012, 11:56 AM

Blio supports TTS.

(cf. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compari...Ftool_features)

Philantrop · 10-13-2012, 11:56 AM

(Duplicate posting)
Sorry, no idea how that happened.

greenyouth · 10-14-2012, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomsem

Audiobooks may be 'better' but TTS is just fine if you want to keep reading when your hands cannot operate the device.

I love audiobooks....

JSWolf · 10-14-2012, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philantrop

Blio supports TTS.

(cf. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compari...Ftool_features)

But you have to pay just over $10 for the voice to enable TTS.

tomsem · 10-15-2012, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philantrop

Blio supports TTS.

(cf. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compari...Ftool_features)

I forgot about that one. Thanks, I'll check it out!

BTW I've been getting duplicate posts myself recently (though not for last few days..). Probably a server issue.

[update:]
The iPhone app is kinda slick. In addition to TTS, it supports VoiceOver, and has a RSVP reading mode (speed controlled with thumb). Haven't tried on iPad yet.

The Android app seems a little more stripped down.

You can side-load ePub or PDF on either platform.

As far as Blio goes, it is not clear what the 'unique value proposition' is. There is no way to get a book you have purchased out of the system, for example.

10-07-2012, 01:59 AM	#1
tomsem Wizard Posts: 3,313 Karma: 7654321 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: USA Device: Fire Phone, Kindle Voyage, iPad Air 2, Fire HD6	Reading apps w/TTS? Are there any iOS reading apps that have text-to-speech? There are several on Android, but I've never learned of one on iOS. I'm not talking about VoiceOver, but just straight TTS.

10-13-2012, 11:56 AM	#7
Philantrop Addict Posts: 271 Karma: 32153 Join Date: Dec 2008 Device: Kindle PW3, iOS devices	(Duplicate posting) Sorry, no idea how that happened. Last edited by Philantrop; 10-14-2012 at 11:21 AM. Reason: Remove duplicate posting

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10-09-2012, 07:28 PM	#2
kyteflyer Wizard Posts: 1,465 Karma: 3011898 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Newcastle, Australia Device: Kobo Glo HD, iPhone, iPad Mini	I don't think any of the book devs have bothered. Most people wanting to hear a book will get an audiobook... Thats what I do, because I find I can concentrate better with audiobooks than on reading on a screen or a book.

10-10-2012, 07:06 PM	#3
tomsem Wizard Posts: 3,313 Karma: 7654321 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: USA Device: Fire Phone, Kindle Voyage, iPad Air 2, Fire HD6	That just seems odd. iOS has decent voice synthesis, and I assume the SDK gives access to it. Audiobooks may be 'better' but TTS is just fine if you want to keep reading when your hands cannot operate the device.

10-11-2012, 01:35 AM	#4
kyteflyer Wizard Posts: 1,465 Karma: 3011898 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Newcastle, Australia Device: Kobo Glo HD, iPhone, iPad Mini	Yes and no. Adding TTS is also going to add to the size of the app. I wouldnt bother with a reading app that had it.

10-12-2012, 07:38 PM	#5
tomsem Wizard Posts: 3,313 Karma: 7654321 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: USA Device: Fire Phone, Kindle Voyage, iPad Air 2, Fire HD6	It doesn't make the app bigger. TTS is a system resource, the app just needs to call the api.

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