03 Voicing Apps

• ​​​Stock Voices: provide options of stock voices to chose from, noted of quality is questionable

• Synthesized Voice : Identification of specific company SVs compatibility with app. 

• Clone Voice : Identification of specific company CV compatibility with app. 

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• Return to Speak :   Being able to hit 'return' or a period (double space in iphone) to instantly have typed words spoken, is a major advantage over having to hit a button on screen to speak. When keeping up with natural conversation flow every millisecond of speed is a factor, as are minor movements like hitting a 'button' to speak.

• Clear : Likewise, some applications require the text written to be cleared before the next phrase can be typed. When trying to maintain conversation flow with traditional speakers, every movement adds up. However, being able to hit a button to clear a passage as an OPTION, is convenient.

• Log/ Repeat : What did you say? If someone fails to hear or understand you (you would be surprised how frequently this happens), it can be advantageous to have a recall feature of the last, or last several phrases, so you don't have to re-type.

• Message Bank: Many traditional voice synthesis companies offer message banking. This is a prerecord in natural voice of a specific phrase. Particularly when used with the 'flatter' traditional voice synthesis, it can be nice to have some phrases said with intonation and expression. Quick Buttons with these messages are available with some apps. 

• Phrases: ability to pre-record buttons for your own custom quick phrases

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• In Call use : Contrary to intuition, not all TTS apps can be used for a phone call or facetime. Some in call use, do not allow you to hear yourself speaking, so it feels ambiguous...did i speak? 

• Facetime : ability to use app directly to communicate live on facetime

• Zoom: ability to use app directly to communicate live on zoom.

• Offline use: ability to generate speech without having wifi or cell service.

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• Speed Adjust: ability to choose the voice speech rate. this can be helpful to slow down for people who may have more difficulty hearing or understanding TTS.

• Personal Defaults: some apps do not have the ability to save individual preferences.

• Pronunciation: Ability to customize pronunciation of particular words, such as a name or slang.

• Abbreviation: ability to customize abbreviations to speak a phrase. for example, typing btw and speaking 'by the way'.

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• Share via text : ability to 'record' your voice message and send via text or email.

• record .mp3 or .wav : being able to record passages of your speech can be useful for adding to presentations, to have a longer passage handy to play to a medical professional, or say a toast at your daughters wedding!

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• Emotion Modifier: advanced cloning applications are developing ability to chose your tone. ex: happy, serious, mad.

• Latency: how quickly can the app generate speech. When conversing with native speakers, a delay while speech is generated can be a hinderance. ​​

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• view / other apps: currently only the Apple accessibility feature built into the iphone is able to do this. So while you are say navigating maps, or referencing your MyChart, you can open the Apple accessibility (3 clicks on right side button) and the dialog box and keyboard will show below the other app simultaneously. Not something everyone needs, but can be handy.