Text-to-speech apps: How can my wife “listen” to text on her tablet?
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How can my wife “listen” to text on her tablet?
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Products mentioned in our answer below are provided to inform you about the types of technologies available and have not been evaluated by CanAssist. They may or may not be appropriate for your particular situation. Some technologies and devices may require an in-person assessment. Speak with your health care provider for additional information and support.
Yes, there are solutions both for Apple and Android devices.
Apple iOS devices have a built-in text-to-speech agent that is turned off by default. To turn it on, Go to Settings, then General, then Accessibility, and turn on the Speak selection. There is also a text-to-speech function on Android devices. Go to Settings, then Accessibility, and the Text-to-speech output. You may have the choice of Google’s option or the manufacturer’s offering.
However, for additional functionality, the App Store and Google Play both offer a number of text-to-speech apps that range from free to about $15 (USD).
Here are direct links to a couple of text-to-speech apps for Apple devices on the App Store:
- Voice Dream Reader (this app is recommended by the Canadian National Institute for the Blind)
- NaturalReader Text to Speech
- Speechify
- Voice Reader Speech Central
Here are direct links to a few text-to-speech apps for Android devices on Google Play:
Here are direct links to a couple of text-to-speech Chrome extensions:
Here are direct links to a couple of text-to-speech purchasable PC programs. They have a higher upfront cost but then you own the product and do not need to worry about monthly fees. Their prices wary from $50 to $100 (USD):
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