Registered: Sep 1999
Location: at work...
Posts: 736

quote:

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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...

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Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 22

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?

Registered: Mar 2001
Location:
Posts: 24

quote:

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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

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Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 384

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!!

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Fat's

Last edited by Fat_Man on 03-27-2001 at 05:05 AM

Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 152

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

quote:

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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

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Registered: Mar 2001
Location:
Posts: 13

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

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Mark Cambie

Registered: Mar 2001
Location: Champaign, IL
Posts: 200

quote:

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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?

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Registered: Mar 2001
Location:
Posts: 13

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.

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Mark Cambie

Registered: May 2000
Location: St. Paul, MN
Posts: 1429

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!

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-miradu

Registered: Mar 2001
Location:
Posts: 7

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