Amazon beefing up Kindle's functionality for vision-impared users as B&N's Nook stays silent
By Paul Miller 
posted December 7th 2009 11:17AM
posted December 7th 2009 11:17AM
While the Amazon Kindle's text-to-speech functionality might seem like a gimmick for some, it's anything but for blind, vision-impaired and dyslexic users. Unfortunately, the device's accessibility so far hasn't extended to the menus. That's set to change next year, however, with Amazon promising to release an audible menuing system for navigating the unit look-free. Amazon's also prepping a new "super size" font, that doubles the current largest font in height and width. It all sounds great, but it also seems like a subtle dig at Barnes & Noble, whose brand new Nook reader is skipping out on text-to-speech (for this generation, anyway). Barnes & Noble claims that it's due to the sub-par experience on "other devices," but for now that means the Kindle might just be most accessible dedicated e-reader around -- at least once this new software rolls out, supposedly by summer 2010.
Vision-Impared post titles :)
I did purchase a nook and am very excited for this, so take my comment with a grain of salt. Even though you explain the uses of text-to-speech for visually impaired people, do you think people will really want to spend $300 - 500 for a glorified books-on-tape reader? How bout just get a CD player instead.
@imjeeves and iName - I suppose this may come as a shock to you but audiobooks don't exist for a lot of print content. Somebody actually has to invest time and money into making those.
TTS for the menu is nothing, if the publisher could just disable the tts function for their book
What is the point of using this and other eBook devices for a visually impaired person? Such a person would not need need fancy e-ink screen, so device could probably be made size of iPod nano...
@(Unverified)
Large font sizes make a HUGE difference for the visually impaired.
It's a good thing Engadget doesn't have text to speech. Can you imagine how loud would the GIGANTIC ANNOYING nook review top banner would be shouting? Something 800 pixels in height really means it.
@(Unverified)
additionally, the text to speech would go nuts trying to interpret the lack of grammar in your post.
Speaking from a Dyslexic point-of-view: having your text books converted to a audible support format is VERY helpful. We still want to read our books, it's just that I know I need a little coaxing along the process. A spoken "coach" makes the whole reading experience so much more rewarding and pleasant. This is the primary reason I've considered a Kindle, but when I heard that the Books-On-Tape author's union were scared into suing Amazon - they didn't get it, this is for reading assistance, NOT replacing a Books-on-Tape offering.
Us ɔıxǝןsʎp reader really need this option - nook bad, Kindle good...
Now all they need to add is a simple rear-light function - but then the Electrical Lamp Workers union would probably balk.
The "super size" font seems like a great idea for everyone. It would cut down on the strain on your eyes when reading. But why does something like that take until summer 2010 to implement??
wtf? then just listen to audiobooks, you dont need $300 e-reader to do that.
@iName
Audiobooks tend to cost more than Kindle books. Check the prices of typical bestseller audiobooks. You can get the same book on Kindle for $10.
With the Kindle, you can read along, or you can let the book read to you, or you can turn off the text to speech and just read it. You can switch between modes whenever you like.
To get that functionality with audiobooks and paper books you'd need to buy both. And you'd spend precious time trying to find your place in the audiobook and the paper book whenever you tried to switch modes. Let's face it: searching on audiobooks sucks. Always has.
Why would you want to waste all that money and time when the Kindle practically pays for itself after a few novels?
They can do all that, but you still can't delete a book from the Kindle. Very annoying