Engadget RSS Feed http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2013 AOL Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/ <![CDATA[Amazon bringing Voice Guide and Explore by Touch features to Kindle Fires for vision-impaired users (update)]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/12/06/amazon-bringing-voice-guide-and-explore-by-touch-features-to-kin/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/12/06/amazon-bringing-voice-guide-and-explore-by-touch-features-to-kin/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/12/06/amazon-bringing-voice-guide-and-explore-by-touch-features-to-kin/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Amazon bringing Voice Guide and Explore by Touch features to Kindle Fires for visionimpaired users

Amazon's been attuned to the needs of its vision-impaired customers for years, first rolling out text-to-speech technology on its original Kindle e-reader years ago. Today the company revealed plans to add to that feature set in its Kindle Fire and Fire HD (7-inch) tablets with Voice Guide and Explore by Touch technology.

Voice Guide's an improvement upon regular text-to-speech tech that reads aloud any action performed by users -- things like announcing app names and book titles when they're selected. Explore by Touch lets folks swipe their fingers across their Fire's display and identifies each onscreen item as their phalanges pass over them. Once aware of what app or piece of content's being touched, a simple tap opens the item. Ready for the new assisted navigation experience right now? Well, all you anxious Fire owners will have to wait, the update doesn't land until early next year.

Update: The good folks at Amazon reached out to let us know that the Kindle Fire HD 8.9 already has both Explore by Touch and Voice Guide.

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Source: Amazon

]]> amazonexplorebytouchkindlefirekindlefirehdtext-to-speechvisuallyimpairedvoiceguide Thu, 06 Dec 2012 18:47:00 -0500 21|20396545 <![CDATA[Evernote adds text-to-speech to Clearly Chrome extension, for Premium members only]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/28/evernote-clearly-text-to-speech/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/28/evernote-clearly-text-to-speech/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/28/evernote-clearly-text-to-speech/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments DNP Evernote Clearly offers texttospeech to its Premium portfolio

If you ever wanted to catch up on your online reading while on the treadmill or puttering about the kitchen, Evernote now offers you the ability to do so without actually, well, reading. The online brain dump has introduced text-to-speech functionality to its Clearly extension for Google Chrome, a plugin that clears out ads and other distractions for a clean reading experience. While the Clearly extension itself is free, the text-to-speech feature is only for Premium accounts, each of which costs $5 a month or $45 a year. Words are highlighted as they're read, and you can pause and skip as you like. The feature launches with support for over twelve languages and is powered by iSpeech, which has worked with BlackBerry apps and connected homes in the past. Just don't accidentally blast TMZ articles during your next conference call, ok?

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Source: Evernote

]]> chromechromeextensionclearlyevernoteEvernoteClearlyispeechtext-to-speech Wed, 28 Nov 2012 03:43:00 -0500 21|20389682 <![CDATA[OLPC delivers big OS update with text-to-speech, DisplayLink and WebKit]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/02/olpc-delivers-big-os-update-with-text-to-speech-displaylink/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/02/olpc-delivers-big-os-update-with-text-to-speech-displaylink/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/02/olpc-delivers-big-os-update-with-text-to-speech-displaylink/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments OLPC delivers big OS update with texttospeech, DisplayLink and WebKit

While most of its energy is focused on the XO-4 Touch, the One Laptop Per Child project is swinging into full gear for software, too. The project team has just posted an OS 12.1.0 update that sweetens the Sugar for at least present-day XO units. As of this latest revamp, text-to-speech is woven into the interface and vocalizes any selectable text -- a big help for students that are more comfortable speaking their language than reading it. USB video output has been given its own lift through support for more ubiquitous DisplayLink adapters. If you're looking for the majority of changes, however, they're under-the-hood tweaks to bring the OLPC architecture up to snuff. Upgrades to GTK3+ and GNOME 3.4 help, but we're primarily noticing a shift from Mozilla's web engine to WebKit for browsing: although the OLPC crew may have been forced to swap code because of Mozilla's policies on third-party apps, it's promising a much faster and more Sugar-tinged web experience as part of the switch. While they're not the same as getting an XO-3 tablet, the upgrades found at the source link are big enough that classrooms (and the occasional individual) will be glad they held on to that early XO model.

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Via: Phoronix

Source: OLPC Wiki

]]> displaylinkgeckognomegtkgtk3gtk3+laptoplaptopslinuxmozillanotebooknotebooksolpcolpc xo-1olpc xo-1.5olpc xo-1.75olpc xo-4 touchOlpcXo-1OlpcXo-1.5OlpcXo-1.75OlpcXo-4Touchone laptop per childOneLaptopPerChildsoftwaresugartext to speechtext-to-speechTextToSpeechupdateupgradeusbwebkitxo-1xo-1.5xo-1.75xo-4 touchXo-4Touch Sun, 02 Sep 2012 02:58:00 -0400 21|20314379 <![CDATA[Samsung announces Drive Link, a car-friendly app with MirrorLink integration]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/28/samsung-drive-link-car-friendly-app/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/28/samsung-drive-link-car-friendly-app/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/28/samsung-drive-link-car-friendly-app/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Samsung announces Drive Link, a car-friendly app with MirrorLink integration

Until self-driving cars become mainstream, it's best to keep eyes on roads and hands off phones. With this in mind, Samsung's debuting Drive Link, an app that balances in-car essentials with driver safety, complete with approval from the no-nonsense Japanese Automotive Manufacturers Association. It's all about the bare essentials -- navigation, hands-free calling and audiotainment from your phone-based files or TuneIn. Destinations can be pulled from S Calendar appointments or texts without trouble, and the text-to-speech feature means you won't miss a message, email or social media update. The best bit is that via MirrorLink, all these goodies can be fed through compatible dash screens and speaker systems. Drive Link is available now through Sammy's app store for Europeans sporting an international Galaxy S III, and will be coming to other ICS handsets "in the near future."

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Source: Samsung

]]> Android 4.0android appandroid applicationandroid appsAndroid Ice Cream SandwichAndroid Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0android icsAndroid4.0AndroidAppAndroidApplicationAndroidAppsAndroidIceCreamSandwichAndroidIceCreamSandwich4.0AndroidIcsappapplicationapplicationsappscarcarsdistracted drivingDistractedDrivingdrive linkDriveLinkdriverdriver safetydriversDriverSafetydrivingdriving appsdriving while textingDrivingAppsDrivingWhileTextinggalaxy i9300galaxy s 3galaxy s IIIGalaxyI9300GalaxyS3GalaxySIiigoogle androidgoogle android 4.0GoogleAndroidGoogleAndroid4.0GPSgps navigationGpsNavigationgt-i9300hands freehands free callinghands-free callingHands-freeCallingHandsFreeHandsFreeCallingi9300Ice Cream SandwichIceCreamSandwichicsinternational galaxy s iiiInternationalGalaxySIiiJapanese Automotive Manufacturers AssociationJapaneseAutomotiveManufacturersAssociationminipostmirrorlinkmobilepostcrossmobilepostmininavigationnavigation systemnavigation systemsNavigationSystemNavigationSystemssamsungsamsung drive linksamsung galaxy i9300samsung galaxy s 3samsung galaxy s IIISamsung GT-i9300samsung i9300SamsungDriveLinkSamsungGalaxyI9300SamsungGalaxyS3SamsungGalaxySIiiSamsungGt-i9300SamsungI9300satnavtext to speechtext-to-speechTextToSpeechtuneintunein radioTuneinRadio Tue, 28 Aug 2012 05:35:00 -0400 21|20310490 <![CDATA[Apple seeks patent for hearing aids that deliver speech at an even keel]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/23/apple-seeks-patent-for-hearing-aids-with-speech-at-an-even-keel/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/23/apple-seeks-patent-for-hearing-aids-with-speech-at-an-even-keel/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/23/apple-seeks-patent-for-hearing-aids-with-speech-at-an-even-keel/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Apple seeks patent for hearing aids that deliver speech at an even keel

Although they're called hearing aids, they can sometimes be as much of a hindrance as a help. Catch an unfamiliar accent and the attention might be on just parsing the words, let alone moving the conversation forward. Apple is applying for a patent on a technique that would take the guesswork out of listening by smoothing out all the quirks. The proposed idea would convert speech to text and back, using the switch to remove any unusual pronunciation or too-quick talking before it reaches the listener's ear. Not surprisingly for a company that makes phones and tablets, the hearing aid wouldn't always have to do the heavy lifting, either: iOS devices could handle some of the on-the-fly conversion, and pre-recorded speech could receive advance treatment to speed up the process. We don't know if Apple plans to use its learning in any kind of shipping product, although it's undoubtedly been interested in the category before -- and its ambitions of having iPhone-optimized hearing aids could well get a lift from technology that promises real understanding, not just a boost in volume.

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Source: USPTO

]]> appleapple ipadapple iphoneapple ipod touchAppleIpadAppleIphoneAppleIpodTouchearpiecehearing aidhearing aidsHearingAidHearingAidsipadiphoneipod touchIpodTouchpatentpatent applicationpatent filingPatentApplicationPatentFilingpatentsspeech to textSpeech-to-textSpeechToTexttext to speechtext-to-speechTextToSpeechusptowearables Thu, 23 Aug 2012 11:50:00 -0400 21|20307608 <![CDATA[Arduino-based SocialChatter reads your Twitter feeds so you don't have to (video)]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/16/socialchatter-arduino-build/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/16/socialchatter-arduino-build/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/16/socialchatter-arduino-build/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Arduino-based SocialChatter reads your Twitter feeds so you don't have to (video)

If you prefer reading your RSS feeds without the backlight, there's hardware for that, and if you'd prefer not reading your Twitter feeds at all, there's now hardware for that as well. Mix an Arduino Ethernet board, an Emic 2 Text-To-Speech Module and the knowhow to put them together, and you've got SocialChatter -- a neat little build that'll read your feeds aloud. The coding's already been done for you, and it's based on Adafruit's own Internet of Things printer sketch with a little bit of tinkering so nothing's lost in translation. If your eyes need a Twitter break and you've got the skills and kit to make it happen, head over to the source link for a how-to guide. Don't fill the requirements? Then jump past the break to hear SocialChatter's soothing voice without all the effort.

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]]> adafruitarduinoarduino ethernetArduinoEthernetcodecodingcustomcustom buildCustomBuildemic 2 TTS moduleEmic2TtsModuleSocialChattertext to speechtext-to-speechTextToSpeechttstwittertwitter feedTwitterFeedvideo Thu, 16 Aug 2012 11:58:00 -0400 21|20302431 <![CDATA[Perkins Smart Brailler helps the blind learn to type, closes the digital divide]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/18/perkins-smart-brailler-helps-the-blind-learn-to-type/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/18/perkins-smart-brailler-helps-the-blind-learn-to-type/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/18/perkins-smart-brailler-helps-the-blind-learn-to-type/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Perkins Smart Brailler helps the blind learn to type, closes the digital divide

Most digital Braille devices are built on the assumption that the legally blind already know how to write in the format -- if they don't, they're often forced back to the analog world to learn. PDT and Perkins hope to address that longstanding technology gap with the Perkins Smart Brailler. Going digital lets Perkins build in lessons for newcomers as well as provide immediate audio feedback (visual for writers with borderline vision) and text-to-speech conversion to give even an old hand a boost. Logically, the leap into the modern world also allows transferring documents over USB along with traditional Braille printouts. Smart Braillers will cost a weighty $1,995 each when they first ship in September, but it's hard to put a price tag on mastering communication and fully joining the digital generation.

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]]> blindblindnessbraillebraille recorderbraillerBrailleRecorderdocumentsfeedbackpdtperipheralperipheralsperkinsperkins smart braillerPerkinsSmartBraillerProduct Development TechnologiesProductDevelopmentTechnologiessightlesstext to speechtext-to-speechTextToSpeechusb Wed, 18 Jul 2012 07:31:00 -0400 21|20279031 <![CDATA[BMW's 3 and 7 Series to be the first with Nuance's Dragon Drive! Messaging aboard]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/09/nuance-dragon-drive-messaging-on-bmw-7-3-series/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/09/nuance-dragon-drive-messaging-on-bmw-7-3-series/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/09/nuance-dragon-drive-messaging-on-bmw-7-3-series/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/09/nuance-dragon-drive-messaging-on-bmw-7-3-series/

It somehow feels like it was only yesterday that Nuance unveiled its Dragon Drive! creation to the world, hoping to in the process make drivers' lives easier by delivering a fresh eyes / hands-free messaging system inside connected cars. Unfortunately, back then the savvy company didn't announce any partnerships with auto manufacturers -- still, we had a feeling it wouldn't be too long before one of them would want to come along for the voice dictation ride. The good news is, that's about to change pretty soon. Per the outfit itself, BMW's decided to bring the Dragon Drive! tech to its 2012 7 Series later this month, with the 3 Series Touring and the eco-friendly 3 Series ActiveHybrid expected to get it "later this year." Notably, Dragon Drive! will offer multi-language support, including English, Spanish, Italian, French and German. There's no word yet on just how much the fee for the service will be, but we do know those who land themselves one of these new Beemers will get a two-month trial to take Dragon Drive! for a quick spin.

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]]> bmwbmw series 3BMW Series 7BmwSeries3BmwSeries7Dragon Drivedragon drive messagingDragonDriveDragonDriveMessagingnuanceNuance Communicationsnuance dragon drivenuance dragon drive messagingNuanceCommunicationsNuanceDragonDriveNuanceDragonDriveMessagingseries 3series 3 bmwseries 7series 7 bmwSeries3Series3BmwSeries7Series7Bmwspeech to textSpeech-to-textSpeechToTexttext-to-speech Mon, 09 Jul 2012 21:41:00 -0400 21|20274413 <![CDATA[Kindle Touch update adds Europe-friendly languages, landscape mode]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/12/kindle-touch-euro-update/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/12/kindle-touch-euro-update/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/12/kindle-touch-euro-update/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Image
April 27th is nearly upon us, heralding the arrival of the Kindle Touch in Europe. Before that happens, Amazon's pushed out a software update packed with language support for the continent, landscape mode and text-to-speech, amongst others. You can manually download version 5.1.0 now or wait for the over-WiFi update in a couple of weeks. Pre-orders for the device are open as we speak, the WiFi-only model costing £109 / €129, the 3G edition costing £169 / €189.

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]]> Amazon Kindle TouchAmazonKindleTouchBrazilian PortugeseBrazilianPortugesee booke bookse readere readerse-booke-bookse-readere-readersEuropeFranceGermanyItalyKindle TouchKindle Touch 5.1.0Kindle Touch EuropeKindleTouchKindleTouch5.1.0KindleTouchEuropeLandscapeManual UpdateManualUpdateOTA UpdateOtaUpdatePortugeseSoftware UpdateSoftwareUpdateSpainText-To-SpeechUKUpdate Thu, 12 Apr 2012 09:19:00 -0400 21|20213963 <![CDATA[Google aids accessibility with ChromeVox reader, better YouTube captions and more]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/29/google-outs-new-accessibility-features/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/29/google-outs-new-accessibility-features/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/29/google-outs-new-accessibility-features/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Google's new accessibility featuresEngineers from Google have commandeered a booth at this year's CSUN accessibility conference and they're keen to talk up their latest efforts. For the visually impaired, there's now a beta version of a Chrome screen reader called ChromeVox (demo'd after the break), plus improved shortcuts and screen reader support in Google Docs, Sites and Calendar. Meanwhile, YouTube boasts expanded caption support for the hard of hearing, with automatic captions enabled for 135 million video clips -- a healthy tripling of last year's total. Check the source link for full details or, if you're anywhere near San Diego, go and hassle those engineers the old-fashioned way.

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]]> accessibilityblindcaption supportcaptionsCaptionSupportchromechromevoxCSUNdeafdeafnessdisabilitiesgooglegoogle accessibilitygoogle appsgoogle calendargoogle chromegoogle docsgoogle sitesGoogleAccessibilityGoogleAppsGoogleCalendarGoogleChromeGoogleDocsGoogleSiteshard-of-hearingkeyboard shortcutsKeyboardShortcutsscreen readerScreenReadertext-to-speechvideovisually impairedVisuallyImpairedyoutube Wed, 29 Feb 2012 04:43:00 -0500 21|20182352 <![CDATA[Ford brings Bluetooth text message readouts to more SYNC vehicles]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/18/ford-brings-bluetooth-text-message-readouts-to-more-sync-vehicle/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/18/ford-brings-bluetooth-text-message-readouts-to-more-sync-vehicle/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/18/ford-brings-bluetooth-text-message-readouts-to-more-sync-vehicle/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Got a SYNC-tastic Ford from 2011 onwards? Then you'll find that the latest update (G1 V3.2.2) to the dash software will let you listen to your smartphone's incoming emails and SMS messages via the car's audio system, thanks to the inclusion of Bluetooth MAP (Message Access Profile). We've already seen the tech running in BMW's iDrive dash system and in MyFord Touch-equipped cars too, so the news here is just a wider roll-out to a bigger range of vehicles -- but we'll welcome anything that keeps more eyes on the prize. Read the full PR after the break and then enter your VIN at the More Coverage link below to see if you're eligible.

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]]> BluetoothBluetooth MAPBluetoothMapdashdash softwaredash systemDashSoftwareDashSystemFordhands-freemessage access profileMessageAccessProfileminipostSYNCtext-to-speechupdate Tue, 18 Oct 2011 08:03:00 -0400 21|20083993 <![CDATA[MyVoice app for iOS and Android enables the mute to talk (video)]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/07/myvoice-app-for-ios-and-android-enables-the-mute-to-talk-video/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/07/myvoice-app-for-ios-and-android-enables-the-mute-to-talk-video/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/07/myvoice-app-for-ios-and-android-enables-the-mute-to-talk-video/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Talking is something most of us take for granted, but a new app called MyVoice -- currently available for iOS and coming soon to Android -- is attempting to give the ability back to those who aren't as fortunate. Developed by a group of University of Toronto students after being approached by a man who had a stroke, the location-based app allows users to "speak" pre-programmed text macros using text-to-speech. You can't add new phrases from within the app just yet, though for now there's an online portal that also allows relatives to configure strings and organize them into "places" for the ultimate user. We checked out the app and it seems to work as advertised -- there's a pretty extensive word pack that comes with it. You can score the free download at the more coverage link below, and we've got a video demo after the break.

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]]> androidapphandicaphandicappediosmy voicemyvoicespeechstrokestrokestext to speechtext-to-speechTextToSpeechvoicevoice-enabled Thu, 07 Apr 2011 17:59:00 -0400 21|19905468 <![CDATA[OnStar announces Bluetooth voice app, reads your Facebook messages to you]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/04/onstar-announces-bluetooth-voice-app-reads-your-facebook-messag/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/04/onstar-announces-bluetooth-voice-app-reads-your-facebook-messag/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/04/onstar-announces-bluetooth-voice-app-reads-your-facebook-messag/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments OnStar Texting while driving is deadly, for serious. But, letting someone else read to you is rather less risky, and talking isn't so bad either -- in moderation, anyway. Bring those two together and you have OnStar's solution, an upcoming Bluetooth app that will read text messages and status updates to you and, somewhat more interestingly, lets you speak a custom message that will be transcribed to your recipient. Fascinating? Absolutely, but we can't wait to hear what sort of fun and cheeky mistranslations come out of that feature. You can also post voice messages to Facebook and say things like "call back" to return a call. The app is, as of now, intended for Android devices only and is set to hit the Market sometime in the first half of the year, and at least initially it'll only work on cars that have Bluetooth or those equipped with the company's new aftermarket mirror, though you'll have to be paid up on your OnStar dues if you want to use it. Full details in the PR after the break.

Gallery: OnStar Bluetooth for Android

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]]> androidandroid 2.2Android2.2bluetoothcesces 2011ces2011driving while textingDrivingWhileTextingfeaturefeaturedfeaturesgeneral motorsGeneralMotorsonstarspeech-to-texttext-to-speechtranscription Tue, 04 Jan 2011 23:23:00 -0500 21|19787210 <![CDATA[OnStar announces MyLink smartphone apps, voice-based SMS, Facebook plans]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/15/onstar-announces-mylink-smartphone-apps-voice-based-sms-facebo/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/15/onstar-announces-mylink-smartphone-apps-voice-based-sms-facebo/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/15/onstar-announces-mylink-smartphone-apps-voice-based-sms-facebo/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments
Looks like OnStar users (and not just the Modest Mouse-lovin' yuppies in the commercial below) will soon get their beloved social networking where they need it least: behind the wheel. The slogan for the company's latest re-branding campaign is "responsible connectivity," meant to highlight the company's next-gen hardware, OnStar MyLink smart phone apps, and the Audio Facebook Updates feature we saw last month that, along with voice-based SMS, is being tested as we speak. MyLink, by far the most interesting of the lot, will let you start your car, hit the horn, control lights and door locks, and check your vehicle's diagnostics -- from your iPhone or Android handset. Now that we got all that out of the way, why don't you check out the newest commercial (and read some sweet, sweet PR) after the break?

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]]> Audio Facebook UpdatesAudioFacebookUpdatesfacebookfordgeneral motorsGeneralMotorsgmin-carin-car communicationsIn-carCommunicationsinfotainmentMyLinkonstarOnStar MyLinkOnstarMylinkroadside assistanceRoadsideAssistancesocial networkingSocialNetworkingspeech-to-texttexttext messagingtext-to-speechtextingTextMessagingvideovoice based smsvoice-to-textVoiceBasedSms Wed, 15 Sep 2010 15:53:00 -0400 21|19634663 <![CDATA[OnStar expected to add Facebook updates and texting soon, might make some services free]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/08/onstar-expected-to-add-facebook-updates-and-texting-soon-might/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/08/onstar-expected-to-add-facebook-updates-and-texting-soon-might/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/08/onstar-expected-to-add-facebook-updates-and-texting-soon-might/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Time waits for no infotainment system and GM's OnStar seems to be well aware of that fact. Plunging headfirst into the social world, the driver assistance service is said to be planning to start conveying Facebook status updates and text messages in an upcoming update, reputedly landing later this month. Text-to-speech translation will be done on incoming notes and voice-to-text is said to be undergoing testing for outgoing updates. So you can tell your friends you're free as a bird, born to run, rocking the highway, or whatever else, without ever having to speak to them directly or going to the effort of typing anything. The future sure is awesome. Oh, and it might not be all that expensive either, as we're also hearing that OnStar might make some services completely free to better compete with Ford's Sync.

Original image courtesy of merriewells (Flickr)

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]]> facebookfordfreegeneral motorsGeneralMotorsgmin-carin-car communicationsIn-carCommunicationsinfotainmentonstarroadside assistanceRoadsideAssistancespeech-to-texttext messagingtext-to-speechtextingTextMessagingvoice-to-text Wed, 08 Sep 2010 15:25:00 -0400 21|19625331 <![CDATA[BlueAnt Q2 Bluetooth headset enables noise-free calls during Usain Bolt's sprints]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/30/blueant-q2-bluetooth-headset-enables-noise-free-calls-during-usa/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/30/blueant-q2-bluetooth-headset-enables-noise-free-calls-during-usa/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/30/blueant-q2-bluetooth-headset-enables-noise-free-calls-during-usa/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments It's not guaranteed to make you any smarter, but having such an intelligent little bird upside your ear may at least give you a minor boost in confidence. A full 1.5 years after the original Q1 made its debut, BlueAnt is introducing its Q2 Smart Bluetooth Headset. Aside from being able to cancel out noise while traveling at up to 22mph (read: Usain Bolt's average walking speed), the Q2 also touts a fully integrated text-to-speech feature that belts out news, weather, sports and the latest gossip from Microsoft's Bing 411. And if you just so happen to use a smartphone with Android 2.0 or newer, it'll actually read your text messages and emails aloud without you having to fish your handset out of your britches. It's available now at AT&T stores for $129, and just in case you're wondering, you can freak mall walkers out for five solid hours without needing a recharge. Not that we'd encourage such behavior.

[Original image courtesy of Ryan Pierse/Getty Images]

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]]> bingBlueAntBlueAnt Q2BlueantQ2bluetoothbluetooth headsetBluetoothHeadsetcomedyearpiecefunnyheadsetmicrosoftphotoshopq2Text-to-Speech Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:16:00 -0400 21|19575512 <![CDATA[RIM converts BMW's iDrive into 'a remote control for your BlackBerry' (video)]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/03/rim-converts-bmws-idrive-into-a-remote-control-for-your-blackb/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/03/rim-converts-bmws-idrive-into-a-remote-control-for-your-blackb/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/03/rim-converts-bmws-idrive-into-a-remote-control-for-your-blackb/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments If there's one thing business types love more than their BlackBerry, it's their BMW -- or so we're told. It makes all sorts of sense, therefore, that the two companies would partner up to help the things they sell communicate with each other more effortlessly. Using Bluetooth MAP (Message Access Profile), BlackBerry devices can now beam emails and contacts over to BMW's iDrive dash system, where the driver can listen to his messages via a text-to-speech option or make calls using the car's speakerphone. The first supported handset is the newly minted Pearl 3G, and we're told this functionality will come as an integrated part of BlackBerry 6. To see how it works on a 335is, click past the break for the video.

[Thanks, Horatiu]

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]]> blackberryblackberry 6Blackberry6bluetoothbluetooth mapBluetoothMapbmwbmw idriveBmwIdrivecardashdashboardemailemailshandsfreeidrivein-carin-dashinfotainmentmessage access profileMessageAccessProfilemessagingpearlpearl 3gPearl3grimtext-to-speechtransportationvehiclevideoweswes 2010Wes2010wireless Mon, 03 May 2010 04:11:00 -0400 21|19462070 <![CDATA[$2 Sensory chip could give toys (and other products) improved speech recognition, additional capabilities]]> http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/17/2-sensory-chip-could-give-toys-and-other-products-improved-sp/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/17/2-sensory-chip-could-give-toys-and-other-products-improved-sp/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/17/2-sensory-chip-could-give-toys-and-other-products-improved-sp/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Sensory Inc. may stay behind the scenes most of the time, but the company's speech recognition chips are already used in toys from JVC, Mattel, Hasbro and others, and it's now announced a new chip that could lead to toys with some significantly improved capabilities. Costing just $2 apiece (in quantities over 100K/year), the company's NLP-5X chip not only boasts support for speech recognition and text-to-speech that lets it "generate thousands of voices on the fly," but support for sound samples and MIDI playback as well. What's more, the chip uses what's described as an "incredible algorithm" that allows it to be on all the time and simply listen and activate itself when needed -- or when you least suspect it. Of course, while toys are one application, the company also sees the chip being used in a whole range of other consumer electronics -- Sensory even gives the example of an internet-connected oven that could let look up a recipe and then have a conversation with your oven about how you'd like to cook it.

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]]> natural language interfaceNaturalLanguageInterfaceNLP-5Xsensorysensory incsensory inc.SensoryIncSensoryInc.speech recognitionSpeechRecognitiontext to speechtext-to-speechTextToSpeechtoytoysvoice recogntionVoiceRecogntion Wed, 17 Feb 2010 01:56:00 -0500 21|19360880 <![CDATA[Blio seeks to take digital reading in a new, more inclusive, and colorful direction]]> http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/29/blio-seeks-to-take-digital-reading-in-a-new-more-inclusive-and/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/29/blio-seeks-to-take-digital-reading-in-a-new-more-inclusive-and/ http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/29/blio-seeks-to-take-digital-reading-in-a-new-more-inclusive-and/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments As if we didn't have enough pretenders in the ebook space, here's Ray Kurzweil with a new format of his own and a bagful of ambition to go with it. Set for a proper unveiling at CES in a week's time, the Blio format and accompanying application are together intended to deliver true-to-life color reproductions of the way real books appear. Interestingly, the software has been developed in partnership with Nokia, in an effort to turn Espoo's phones into "the smallest text-to-speech reading devices available thus far," though apps are also being developed for the iPhone, PC and Mac. The biggest advantage of this format might actually be behind the scenes, where the costs to publishers are drastically reduced by them having to only submit a PDF scan of their books, whose formatting remains unchanged in Blio. We'll be all over this at CES, but for now you'll find more pictures and early impressions over at Gizmodo.

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]]> appappleapplicationbaker and taylorBakerAndTaylorbliobooksdigital publishingDigitalPublishinge booke bookse readere readerse-booke-bookse-readerE-readersebookebook formatEbookFormatebooksformatiphonek-nfbmagazinesnokiapublishingray kurzweilRayKurzweilreadingreading softwareReadingSoftwaresoftwaretext-to-speech Tue, 29 Dec 2009 06:32:00 -0500 21|19296586 <![CDATA[TomTom to bring free lane guidance, text-to-speech, iPod control to iPhone GPS app]]> http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/12/tomtom-to-bring-lane-guidance-text-to-speech-ipod-control-to-i/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/12/tomtom-to-bring-lane-guidance-text-to-speech-ipod-control-to-i/ http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/12/tomtom-to-bring-lane-guidance-text-to-speech-ipod-control-to-i/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments TomTom's probably still dizzy from the hit that Google laid on it just a few days ago, but it has somehow managed to get its bearings long enough to announce that a slew of gratis updates are incoming for its highly-hyped iPhone navigation app. Following in Navigon's footsteps, the outfit has today stated that a free update has been submitted to Apple for approval, and when (er, if) it clears Cupertino's ambiguous review process, it'll deliver advanced lane guidance, text-to-speech, "Help Me," updated map / safety cameras (in select European nations) databases, customizable audio warnings and iPod player control. Not a bad list of additions for the grand total of $0.00, but we wouldn't expect anything less given the lofty admission price.

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]]> applefirmwaregpsiphoneiPhone GPSiphone navigationiphone osIphoneGpsIphoneNavigationiphoneoslane guidanceLaneGuidancemobilenavigationsoftwaretext-to-speechTomTomtomtom iphoneTomtomIphoneupdate Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:12:00 -0500 21|19234947 <![CDATA[TomTom to bring free lane guidance, text-to-speech, iPod control to iPhone GPS app]]> http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/12/tomtom-to-bring-lane-guidance-text-to-speech-ipod-control-to-i/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/12/tomtom-to-bring-lane-guidance-text-to-speech-ipod-control-to-i/ http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/12/tomtom-to-bring-lane-guidance-text-to-speech-ipod-control-to-i/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments TomTom's probably still dizzy from the hit that Google laid on it just a few days ago, but it has somehow managed to get its bearings long enough to announce that a slew of gratis updates are incoming for its highly-hyped iPhone navigation app. Following in Navigon's footsteps, the outfit has today stated that a free update has been submitted to Apple for approval, and when (er, if) it clears Cupertino's ambiguous review process, it'll deliver advanced lane guidance, text-to-speech, "Help Me," updated map / safety cameras (in select European nations) databases, customizable audio warnings and iPod player control. Not a bad list of additions for the grand total of $0.00, but we wouldn't expect anything less given the lofty admission price.

Update: As of November 18th, this update is live in the App Store.

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]]> applefirmwaregpsiphoneiPhone GPSiphone navigationIphoneGpsIphoneNavigationlane guidanceLaneGuidancenavigationsoftwaretext-to-speechTomTomtomtom iphoneTomtomIphoneupdate Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:12:00 -0500 21|19234922 <![CDATA[Intel Reader reads books to the lazy and infirm (video)]]> http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/10/intel-reader-reads-books-to-the-lazy-and-infirm-video/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/10/intel-reader-reads-books-to-the-lazy-and-infirm-video/ http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/10/intel-reader-reads-books-to-the-lazy-and-infirm-video/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments While we're busying ourselves with arguing about how to replace the perfectly usable book gadget, Intel is right to point out that plenty of people, for whatever reason, can't read at all. Presenting its Reader as a necessity rather than luxury, Intel has shown off its vision for how visually impaired and dyslexic people can obtain access to the written word. Combining a text-scanning camera with a text-to-speech engine (powered by an Atom inside) is certainly no bad idea, but as the video beyond the break will show you, Intel's execution isn't exactly stellar. The arrhythmic, robotic reading from Alice In Wonderland left us shaken, but what floored us was the $1,499 asking price. Yes, it's a customized niche device, but we reckon we could build something similar for a third of the price. Full PR and video after the break.

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]]> atomblindblindnessbookbook readerBookReaderbookscameradigital health groupDigitalHealthGroupintelintel digital health groupintel readerIntelDigitalHealthGroupIntelReaderreaderscannertext scannertext to speechtext to voicetext-to-speechTextScannerTextToSpeechTextToVoicevideo Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:59:00 -0500 21|19230359 <![CDATA[Navigon adding live traffic to iPhone navigation app, asks 'TomTom who?']]> http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/17/navigon-adding-live-traffic-to-iphone-navigation-app-asks-tomt/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/17/navigon-adding-live-traffic-to-iphone-navigation-app-asks-tomt/ http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/17/navigon-adding-live-traffic-to-iphone-navigation-app-asks-tomt/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments
Practically all summer, the buzz surrounding TomTom's forthcoming iPhone GPS app was near deafening. But said noise apparently didn't penetrate the labs at Navigon, as that very outfit has produced what's easily the most full-featured option on the market today. Just a week after updating the already-great app with text-to-speech, iPod controls and location sharing, the company is now proclaiming that live traffic will splash down in October (at least in North America). The update will enable the software to utilize real-time speed data from drivers currently en route as well as historical information in order to alert you of slow-downs and re-route you when necessary. We've personally seen live traffic functions fail more often than not, but we're giving Navigon the benefit of the doubt here until we can test it ourselves. Best of all, it'll only cost MobileNavigator users (priced at $89.99) a one-time fee of $24.99 for lifetime traffic, and if you snag it within the first four weeks after it goes on sale, that rate drops to $19.99. So, TomTom -- what now?

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]]> app storeappleapplicationAppStoreiphone 3giphone 3gsiphone gpsiphone os 3.0Iphone3gIphone3gsIphoneGpsIphoneOs3.0ipodipodtouchlive trafficLiveTrafficmobileMobileNavigatorNavigonNAVTEQreal time trafficreal-time trafficReal-timeTrafficRealTimeTrafficsoftwaretext-to-speechtraffictraffic liveTrafficLiveupdate Thu, 17 Sep 2009 09:12:00 -0400 21|19164720 <![CDATA[Navigon adding live traffic to iPhone navigation app, asks 'TomTom who?']]> http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/17/navigon-adding-live-traffic-to-iphone-navigation-app-asks-tomt/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/17/navigon-adding-live-traffic-to-iphone-navigation-app-asks-tomt/ http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/17/navigon-adding-live-traffic-to-iphone-navigation-app-asks-tomt/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments
Practically all summer, the buzz surrounding TomTom's forthcoming iPhone GPS app was near deafening. But said noise apparently didn't penetrate the labs at Navigon, as that very outfit has produced what's easily the most full-featured option on the market today. Just a week after updating the already-great app with text-to-speech, iPod controls and location sharing, the company is now proclaiming that live traffic will splash down in October (at least in North America). The update will enable the software to utilize real-time speed data from drivers currently en route as well as historical information in order to alert you of slow-downs and re-route you when necessary. We've personally seen live traffic functions fail more often than not, but we're giving Navigon the benefit of the doubt here until we can test it ourselves. Best of all, it'll only cost MobileNavigator users (priced at $89.99) a one-time fee of $24.99 for lifetime traffic, and if you snag it within the first four weeks after it goes on sale, that rate drops to $19.99. So, TomTom -- what now?

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]]> app storeappleapplicationAppStoreiphone 3giphone 3gsiphone gpsiphone os 3.0Iphone3gIphone3gsIphoneGpsIphoneOs3.0ipodipodtouchlive trafficLiveTrafficMobileNavigatorNavigonNAVTEQreal time trafficreal-time trafficReal-timeTrafficRealTimeTrafficsoftwaretext-to-speechtraffictraffic liveTrafficLiveupdate Thu, 17 Sep 2009 09:12:00 -0400 21|19164700 <![CDATA[Navigon sneaks text-to-speech, iPod controls and location sharing into MobileNavigator app]]> http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/10/navigon-sneaks-text-to-speech-ipod-controls-and-location-sharin/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/10/navigon-sneaks-text-to-speech-ipod-controls-and-location-sharin/ http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/10/navigon-sneaks-text-to-speech-ipod-controls-and-location-sharin/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments
TomTom's much-ballyhooed iPhone GPS app best step its game up, else it'll get left in the dust by none other than Navigon. The lesser-known nav company today introduced the second major update for its MobileNavigator iPhone app (our impressions are here), and the feature additions aren't anything to scoff at. For starters, the program has become the first on-board navigation app for the iPhone to gain text-to-speech functionality, and just in case hearing street names belted out through a robotic voice ain't good enough for your high standards, the inclusion of iPod control should win you over. At long last, drivers can access the full range of iPod functionalities with a single click from map access, and it even recognizes the shuffle feature to keep you guessing. Finally, a location sharing function has been added to make stalking your pals that much easier; to close, Navigon has knocked $10 off the purchase price, bringing it down to a nearly-palatable $89.99 -- and yes, those who already own it can download the update gratis.

[Via HotHardware]

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]]> app storeappleapplicationAppStoreiphone 3giphone 3gsiphone gpsiphone osiphone os 3.0Iphone3gIphone3gsIphoneGpsiphoneosIphoneOs3.0ipodmobileMobileNavigatorNavigonNAVTEQsoftwaretext-to-speech Thu, 10 Sep 2009 10:29:00 -0400 21|19156881