Text to Speech option

I've only used it a couple of times.  It's usually when I'm reading a book and need to start dinner or I'm doing something on the computer where I need my eyes to be somewhere besides my Kindle.  It's not perfect, but it's handy to continue a book when you don't want to put it down. 

I use it sometimes on my work commute if I am not listening to a book on my iPod. I could never listen to an entire book on it but find it useful if you have something else to do when you would rather be reading. 

LADennis said:

Does anyone use the text-to-speech option on the K2? I tried it last night and I don't think I'm particularly fond of it. I can't really explain WHY, I just don't like it...otherwise, I'm in love with the K2! Love at first sight!

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I use it only when I am on the treadmill. Otherwise, I prefer to read for myself.

patrisha

I've used it at winter concerts, class plays, anyplace where the light wasn't good for reading etc.  (I'm such a bad grandma but, been there, did that).

Its not great but it beats sitting there counting the bricks on the wall.

Tessa

I found it to be completely ridiculous. I adore miKindle, but "miGoodness" the text-to-speech seems to be a total joke. When they say it's experimental, they aren't kidding. It really bothers me that it is marketed as a feature of the book. I don't care that it is completely weird and impractical, because I have audio books, etc. to listen to when I am driving or can't read. But, if it had been an important feature to me, I would have been VERY disappointed.

How bad can it be if these people are demanding it?

http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-241057

I love the text to speech.  After a long day of staring at the computer for work I think its great for listening to the current book I'm reading.  I also feel it is a wonderful feature for blind people.  To me it was worth paying for.

I also find at times the speech is a tiny bit "choppy" which really bothers me.

I also love the text to speech.  On a recent trip I was able to sit by the ocean and admire the waves while my Kindle read to me.  I also have used it on chillly nights in bed.  I can be under the covers and listen without even having to have my arm out to turn the page.

vg said:

I also love the text to speech. On a recent trip I was able to sit by the ocean and admire the waves while my Kindle read to me. I also have used it on chillly nights in bed. I can be under the covers and listen without even having to have my arm out to turn the page.

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I need to get a K2 just for this reason. That is one thing I hate about reading in bed in the winter - dang cold!!! Same with skipping commercials while watching TV. Someone needs to make a remote that works from under the covers.

KindleMom said:

I need to get a K2 just for this reason. That is one thing I hate about reading in bed in the winter - dang cold!!! Same with skipping commercials while watching TV. Someone needs to make a remote that works from under the covers.

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Any universal remote that uses RF instead of IR will work without line of sight to your TV.

I use the Harmony 890, but there are many others available. The 890 uses RF to communicate to a base station, which you place next to your TV. The base station receives the RF signals from the remote and then converts the back to IR signals, which it then sends to your TV.

Marvelous!  I'm forwarding this info to DH. 

Maybe I"ll steal his K2 while he's sleeping and I'm reading to solve that other problem too. 

KindleMom,

I've also turned the TTS volume off and just let the Kindle turn the pages for me when I have felt like reading and not being read to when it's cold.  It's soooo comfy!

KindleMom said:

I need to get a K2 just for this reason. That is one thing I hate about reading in bed in the winter - dang cold!!!

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This is why I got my book light.... so I can stay under the covers and still see my Kindle!

Well, everyone, I guess I need to try again and see if I can find the wonder that you all have! Perhaps I wasn't patient enough or need to fiddle with the settings for speed, etc.!

I've tried it a couple times and have been so distracted by the similarity to the voice in my Garmin GPS that I've not paid attention to the story. It's a source of amusement...and I cannot fathom why the Author's Guild got its collective panties in a knot over a "feature" that pronounces words such as "alamo" as "a-lay-mo."

the cassette adapter that I use with my ipod works with the kindle so now the speaking is coming through the car speakers.

LADennis said:

Does anyone use the text-to-speech option on the K2? I tried it last night and I don't think I'm particularly fond of it. I can't really explain WHY, I just don't like it...otherwise, I'm in love with the K2! Love at first sight!

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I use it with earphones when I'm on the treadmill in the gym (almost every day). I'm not a fan of audio books. I'm a visual person and have trouble concentrating on them. But, when coupled with the automatic page turning and being able to see the text along with hearing the words, it is very useful to me on the treadmill. Sometimes the pronunciations by the electronic voice are comical but, as I said, I have the text backup to look at so I can understand it.

I still have the K1 but my adult daughter who has a high frequency hearing impairment and Dyslexia loves her K2. She uses text to speech constantly. The robotic quality of the voice is what makes it possible for her to understand and follow along she often cannot follow audio books because of the drama and vocal shifts