Text to Speech App for Palm OS

Posted By: Ryan Thursday, May 18, 2006 3:12:31 PM

SayIt - Text to Speech for Palm OS and TreoSayIt v1.0 is a new Text To Speech (TTS) application for Palm OS 5.1 and higher devices from Toysoft. SayIt is the first global TTS application for the Palm OS that works with most applications with text editing capabilities.

SayIt will speak selected text in plain English using a synthesized computer voice. The user interface allows you to follow the text as SayIt speaks the words, you can Stop and Start the speech and adjust the volume control. It also has customized features to work with the following applications: MemoPad, TreoMail, VersaMail, SnapperMail, ChatterMail, Messaging and SMS (on the Treo), Docs To Go and the Blazer web browser. The program includes a 7-day trial and costs $14.95 to register. (Currently on sale for $9.95 USD.)

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Sounds a lot like pspeak

justauser @ 5/18/2006 9:08:48 PM # Q
Sounds a lot like pspeak which has been available for free from Mapopolis for at least a couple of years.
http://tinyurl.com/hcmqp

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Moose

legodude522 @ 5/18/2006 9:50:27 PM # Q
This is free. Ran it on my Zodiac back in the day. http://www.freewarepalm.com/utilities/moose.shtml

Palm m125 > Palm Zire 71 > Tapwave Zodiac 1 > Palm Zire 72 > Sharp Zaurus SL-C1000
[url=http://yatuc.com/y2]Palm screen repair guide for Zire 72 and T|C.[/url]
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Why, WHY, W H YYYYYY!

tipds @ 5/19/2006 1:15:05 AM # Q
I think innovation is great, so my hat's off to the developer. That said, what's the point? Sounds neat, but what would you really use it for? Seems if you take the time to hilight the text first, you could just as easily read it. I suppose if you can't read, it would be good, but what illiterate (yes, I am one), would own a PDA... I mean, besides me?

Tip DS

RE: Why, WHY, W H YYYYYY!
potter @ 5/19/2006 9:38:07 AM # Q
Possibilities:
* For the visually impaired.
* For ebook reading.
* For navigation.

RE: Why, WHY, W H YYYYYY!
legodude522 @ 5/19/2006 1:14:51 PM # Q
If you were using G1, this would be a lot more useful.
For
-people with speech problems or deformed mouths from cancers and such
-deaf person wanting to communicate to a hear person. Might be useful for phone conversations.

Palm m125 > Palm Zire 71 > Tapwave Zodiac 1 > Palm Zire 72 > Sharp Zaurus SL-C1000
[url=http://yatuc.com/y2]Palm screen repair guide for Zire 72 and T|C.[/url]
RE: Why, WHY, W H YYYYYY!
Toysoft @ 5/20/2006 1:20:23 AM # Q
you do not have to lightlight text for apps like memoPad and snappermail. Since Sayit is not a standalone app it can not integrate with every app out there. the reason you have to select and highlight the text is because Sayit can not get access to the text.

any app that have a text field you can tap on it and then access the Edit menu (if available) and then select Sayit and it will speak the text in the field.

SayIt different from other TTS for the palm in that it isnt restricted to the text that you typed.



RE: Why, WHY, W H YYYYYY!
T. @ 5/20/2006 9:49:59 AM # Q
I figured it would maybe be useful for listening to e-mail when your eyes are focused on something else (I hesitate to say what).

Although you only need to select the text in SOME applications, unfortunately, Versamail is one of them. Anyway, it crashed Versamail 3.1C on my TX and wiped out the account info so I had to delete it (although I may have forgotten to highlight any text).

Also, although it works in the memo app, it does not work in Memoleaf (although that may come soon if it's popularity takes off).



RE: Why, WHY, W H YYYYYY!
tipds @ 5/23/2006 12:32:24 AM # Q
Potter & Legodude,

Some good points. I hadn't thought of that. I guess that's why I like innovation so much... It seems to find uses for itself. I especially dig the thought of deaf/mute people using it to speak. 'Preciate y'all opening my eyes.

Tip DS

RE: Why, WHY, W H YYYYYY!
purplemutant @ 3/23/2008 2:51:11 AM # Q
I have Asperger's Syndrome which is a form of Autism. Most of the time I don't have any significant problems with verbal speech. But there are occasions where I have some degree of difficulty with verbal speech. I have been playing around with text to speech on my palm for just such occasions. So far there have been a few occasions where it has come in handy. My only real complaint is the volume on my zire 72. So text to speech on a PDA could be quite useful to autistic people. And it would be a heck of a lot cheaper than commercially available communications devices.
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he he

techno nerd @ 5/19/2006 10:18:10 AM # Q
u could use it if u had a sore throat.

RE: he he
tipds @ 5/23/2006 12:31:12 AM # Q
That's funny. Good one.

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Can it read incoming SMS?

Mithras @ 5/19/2006 2:20:44 PM # Q
That would be useful, I suppose -- if it could read aloud SMS as they arrive.
Kind of a hysterical use of technology: and then -- you'll actually be able to have speech! on a telephone! but I like it.


RE: Can it read incoming SMS?
tipds @ 5/23/2006 12:35:59 AM # Q
Seems this board has developed a sense of humor since I was last posting heavily here. Very funny. I suppose that kind of feature could get you into trouble if a coworker texted something about your boss in a meeting, or some other scenario like that.

Tip DS

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Rebranded version of Symbic Talker

snark @ 5/20/2006 5:42:37 PM # Q
SayIt uses the text to speech engine of Symbic Talker: http://www.symbic.com/
You can buy Symbic Talker for 1 euro.

So all that SayIt is adding are extensions to some apps so they can call the engine. Is it worth 10$?

RE: Rebranded version of Symbic Talker
snark @ 5/20/2006 5:45:34 PM # Q
Oops, that's 1 dollar, not 1 euro!

RE: Rebranded version of Symbic Talker
ackmondual @ 5/22/2006 5:28:47 PM # Q
I wish you were being rhetoric with that question. I would like to know the diff betw the comparison of $1 and $10 software.

I'm sure it's either the features/extensions or the fact that YOU had to bring up SymbicTalker to our attention. If Symbic Talker were more popular by advertising places like here at PIC, I'm guessing the tables would be turned and ST would be selling better.

"Do you know the difference between an error and a mistake? Anyone can make an error, but that error doesn't become a mistake until you refuse to correct it."
-Grand Admiral Thrawn

the secret to enjoying your job is to have a hobby that's even worse

My PDAs: Visor --> Visor Neo (blue) --> Zire 71 --> Tungsten T3 (with 4 of 6 screws still remaining) ~?~> zodiac 2?

RE: Rebranded version of Symbic Talker
snark @ 5/22/2006 5:58:10 PM # Q
I don't have any relation with Symbic, I just wanted to point out there is a cheaper alternative using the same speech engine, without some bells and whistles.
RE: Rebranded version of Symbic Talker
Ryan @ 5/22/2006 6:13:19 PM # Q
thats good to know, I did not realize that symbic was available as a standalone application.
RE: Rebranded version of Symbic Talker
asiayeah @ 6/7/2006 11:04:24 AM # Q
While Symbic Talker is at $1, where can I purchase it?

--
With great power comes great responsiblity.
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SayIT Crash it

rlutz @ 5/22/2006 3:05:52 PM # Q
Tried it and as neet as the feature may be it turned my TX into a chrashmatic especialy with the supplied browzer app

maybe wait a few versions before buying


I think therfore I am overqualified to work here....

RE: SayIT Crash it
dm13260 @ 5/22/2006 4:56:23 PM # Q
Ditto for the Clie NX70, even with the MCA2 hack. At least the trial was free.

RE: SayIT Crash it
Altema @ 5/23/2006 1:44:02 PM # Q
Caused about four crashes on my T3. Another oddity is that it seems the amount of text read is the clipboard limit.

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Any speech to text software for Palm?

ackmondual @ 5/22/2006 5:36:23 PM # Q
I'm delighted to hear at least 3 different freeware text to speech softwares, and at least one shareware, but any work/progress on speech to text?

"Do you know the difference between an error and a mistake? Anyone can make an error, but that error doesn't become a mistake until you refuse to correct it."
-Grand Admiral Thrawn

the secret to enjoying your job is to have a hobby that's even worse

My PDAs: Visor --> Visor Neo (blue) --> Zire 71 --> Tungsten T3 (with 4 of 6 screws still remaining) ~?~> zodiac 2?

RE: Any speech to text software for Palm?
tipds @ 5/23/2006 12:40:17 AM # Q
That would be cool, especially if there was some AI built in. (Anybody old enough to remember Dr. Sbaitso that came with the original SoundBlaster audio card?) That would allow the PDA to convert your speech to text, interpret it, formulate a response, then convert that text back to speach. Yea, that's the ticket. Then you could have a conversation with your PDA. Hey, now wouldn't that be the cat's meow for the super-nerds. Then they could stick their PDA in their blow-up dolls & have a more realistic girlfriend. "Oh, big boy. You like talkie? Me love you long time."

Ok. I can feel the flames arriving. I'm sure I've hit a nerve with some of the regulars here. (He he)

Tip DS

RE: Any speech to text software for Palm?
AdamaDBrown @ 5/23/2006 2:14:34 PM # Q
As far as I'm aware, there's no immediate prospect for speech to text on any mobile device. There's been a couple of systems on Windows to do voice command, but transcription is still to the best of my knowledge a bit beyond the capabilities of a mobile device.

RE: Any speech to text software for Palm?
ackmondual @ 5/31/2006 4:18:43 PM # Q
This would be the next natural extension to a VR. I know some ppl, myself included take VR memos b/c it's too dangerous to take both hands off the wheel even for a second to jot down some quick notes while driving. Not so with Graffiti 1, and especially Graffiti 2. When I get home, I turn those notes into text. Having such an app would be great to take notes while driving and them available as text. The talking back to you feature sounds fun, but could an option so you can confirm if your recording was correct or not rather than having to look at your PDA.
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Espaņol

-GONZO- @ 5/15/2009 5:11:25 AM # Q
I need a text reader for my Palm TX
Is there any application in spanish?
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