VisorCentral.com - New audio module coming soon!!!

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VisorCentral.com (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/index.php)
- Springboard Modules (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/forumdisplay.php?forumid=10)
-- New audio module coming soon!!! (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/showthread.php?threadid=13400)

Posted by Rob on 03-26-2001 11:41 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by EricG
I think it would complement the product.. while some may not use it, others would.. I often use text to speech software (and have over the years on various platforms (i.e. SAM (software automatic mouth) on the C64).. Also, the visually impaired may find it of use as well...

I agree this could be beneficial to those with vision impairments, assuming such people actually buy difficult-to-read (at least for them) PDAs. I am trying to think of situations when I would use such a feature and I really can't. The problem here is that the only situations that I would like to have something read to me with in an unpleasant, mechanical voice are those in which I have limited ability to interact directly with the handheld, e.g. when driving a car. However, in these situations, I can't even access the record (take the visor out of my pocket/case, turn it on, select the application, select the record/file, hit 'play',...) in the first place. This might be useful in conjunction with voice recognition software, but that is not mature technology either. (Hawkins has said that he always asks voice recognition 'suitors' if their s/w can handle just the letters of the alphabet -- to spell out a name in the address book -- in a speaker-independent way, and no one has been able to do so effectively yet).
If you want to maintain 'Zen of Palm' simplicity, you should probably leave this feature out.

Posted by svenopeter on 03-27-2001 03:30 AM:

Stupid question, why not save/provide the audio book in the MP3 format and use existing equipment such as SoundsGood? Why having to buy another module?

Posted by hamiltondj on 03-27-2001 04:51 AM:

quote:
Originally posted by Card Access
You've probably heard the 'basic' algorithm when you had your first Bound Blaster, etc (sbtalk, I think). So, the question is, if you had a book/e-mail read to you with such a synthesizer, would you use it or find it a novelty in the end?

Card Access

Actually, in addition to the obvious uses for visually handicapped folks, text to speech works great for people who write alot. I know I use it whenever I have an important paper to produce - spellcheck is a nice tool but there are some things it doesn't catch. At least one error is uncovered by doing a text to speach and having the computer read to doc back to me. Add this feature, & I will buy it.

Posted by Fat_Man on 03-27-2001 04:51 AM:

16mb for storage?

Card Access (John?),

You may remember that I emailed you a while back when you mentioned that Card Access was in the process of making a 16mb module for audible.com. It was also mentioned that the 16mb could be used for storage purposes just like a regular Flash Module.

I emailed you telling you about the crucial need for memory especially for people in the medical field. I got a very nice and informative email back saying that you guys are working on it, mostly trying to develope the audio module, but there may be a way to use the 16mb's as a memory module. You also mentioned trying to develope a way to port file directly into a memory module so that people with 2mb PDA's can load file >2mb's into their module. Well, I see that you have achieved both projects!! That's fanastic!

So can the 16mb of this module be use as a memory module and will we be able to port files directly into the module like the Thinmodem+ using USBFileMover? Or are you guys coming out with another 16mb module purely for storage?

Although, there's already a 16mb module from Hagiwara in the market. I really like the ability to port file directly into the module during a hotsync without the extra step of loading file into the visor's internal memory and then moving them to the module. I know several people who have had trouble with corruption errors (especially purplemd ) would love the ability to load their module in one step.

Keep up the good work Card Access, you guys really deliver!!

__________________
Fat's

Posted by dvIceT on 03-27-2001 07:36 AM:

Talk to the hand(spring) . . . or vice versa

quote:
Originally posted by Card Access
3. What about synthesizing speech...?

The AudibleAdvisor is technically capable of this, but this is really not an engineering question... I'll turn the question around to you consumers: The basic speech synthesis algorithm which has floated around since the likes of the Commodore 64 still sounds the same today. There are better algorithms, but they require a lot of memory and special heuristics and most importantly, lots of licensing $$$. You've probably heard the 'basic' algorithm when you had your first Bound Blaster, etc (sbtalk, I think). So, the question is, if you had a book/e-mail read to you with such a synthesizer, would you use it or find it a novelty in the end?

Card Access

Seriously, it might be a novelty, but it would be a damn cool one! If it was able to read arbitrary text on the handheld(memos, emails, docs), you'd be able to review email and notes without actually having to focus on them, like when you're driving.

Posted by Mark Cambie on 03-30-2001 05:08 PM:

I like the idea!. I have tonnes of books in MP3 format and they are still HUGE files.

__________________
Mark Cambie

Posted by dalamar70 on 03-30-2001 08:46 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by svenopeter
Stupid question, why not save/provide the audio book in the MP3 format and use existing equipment such as SoundsGood? Why having to buy another module?

My guess is it's for copy protection purposes. It seems like the most "security" MP3's offer are players which don't let you upload songs from the player back to a host PC. But I'm pretty sure the Audible format has some digital rights system to prevent you from sending the stuff to all your grandmothers.

There may also be different compression schemes that work better for simple speech than music. I don't know if you'd get the same effect by setting a low bitrate in an MP3 encoder.

Posted by Mark Cambie on 03-31-2001 12:13 AM:

The problem is that the Soundsgood carries a mere 64 megs of space...My latest book is over 300MB. The Audible format brings it down to AM radio quality but that's all ya need for a book.

__________________
Mark Cambie

Posted by miradu on 03-31-2001 01:30 AM:

Synthesized speech would be cool at first, and would probably help you sell more modules, but I can tell you especially in school, it wouldn't work well. BUT as I said.. It might be worth the developmental cost, becasue it ould sell mroe modules.

I like the idea of using the 16 mb also as flash memory. IF the player was uner $100 I would buy it JUST FOR THAT REASON. If nothing else.

Also, Card Access(john?) I congradulate you and thank you for coming to the VC boards and discussion it with us. It is great to kwo that you people (Springboard makers etc..) CARE about our opions are are willing to take the time to set up a account, and write and respond to our comments. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!

__________________
-miradu

Posted by gcowan on 04-02-2001 01:51 AM:

text to voice modular option

Thanks for info.
This would be NO novelty to have text read while driving, even if it is robotic. It would allow many many thousands of AvantGo subscribers like myself to hear the news, mags, etc. while driving to work. Many times, I hot synch my Visor, so news, etc. in it but, once at work, too busy to just sit and read it. Therefore, this would be important to me and, I expect, many others in the same position. Perhaps AvantGo (or similar entity) would be interested in helping to underwrite some of the extra costs mentioned arising from old, still-active, patents. As I recall, however, these patents should be close to 20 years old and licensing should, therefore, be for a limited time frame.

Thanks again!!
Knife

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