Re: The next generation of Speech Central has been launched

[Joshua Hendrickson]

The TTS voices in voice dream reader work quite well, and sound very
good.  Unless speech central had something like Microsoft one core
voices, or maybe those voices from google, then I wouldn't say it were
better at reading documents, or bookshare books.

On 2/5/24, Mary Otten  wrote:
> Like richard, assuming Voice Dream reader continues to work well, I will pay
> a subscription when it comes to that, because I do so much reading from
> bookshare, and getting books into Voice Dream reader from there is so
> simple. I’m not willing to waste my time jumping through so many hoops just
> so I can get better speech output. Sorry. Not into it. I’m OK with the free
> voices I have access to or even those that I actually paid something for
> before I guess they all went free now in Voice Dream. I didn’t pay that much
> and it was years ago.
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On Feb 5, 2024, at 7:03 AM, Richard Turner 
>> wrote:
>>
>> 
>>
>> Ivan said in part:
>>
>>
>>
>> “Huge majority of people that talk negatively on Speech Central openly
>> admit that they have never invested few minutes to try the app themselves,
>> which is quite telling.”
>>
>> --
>>
>> I have spent several hours trying to use the program.  I am quite sure
>> some people find it excellent, I’m not willing to do what it takes to use
>> Speech Central because to me, the steps to get things done are way more
>> involved than they need to be.
>>
>>
>>
>> Like Sieghard, I do buy books from Audible, but I prefer converting them
>> to mp3 and listening with Voice Dream Reader though the Audible app is
>> much better than it used to be.  I find it easier to keep track of where I
>> am in a book or to move around within Voice Dream Reader.
>>
>>
>>
>> And, at this point, I hope to be done discussing the two apps.  When I
>> have to subscribe to Voice Dream Reader, which is going to happen, I’ll
>> gladly do that.
>>
>>
>>
>> The same reason I keep paying for Jaws.
>>
>>
>>
>> I wish all those using Speech Central well and am glad they have an
>> alternative.  No one should have to use just one app for anything.
>>
>>
>>
>> Richard, USA
>>
>> “Grandma always told us, “Be careful when you pray for patience. God
>> stores it on the other side of Hell and you will have to go through Hell
>> to get it.”
>>
>> -- Cedrick Bridgeforth
>>
>>
>>
>> My web site: https://www.turner42.com/
>>
>>
>>
>> Microsoft Windows 11 Core Version 23H2 (OS Build 22631.2715),
>>
>> JAWS version 2024.2310.70.400
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> From: viphone@googlegroups.com  On Behalf Of
>> Ivan Icin
>> Sent: Thursday, February 1, 2024 4:15 AM
>> To: VIPhone 
>> Subject: Re: The next generation of Speech Central has been launched
>>
>>
>>
>> Sieghard,
>>
>>
>>
>> I completely share your opinion and I would write almost the same. There
>> are three points that I would like to add:
>>
>>
>>
>> 1. Speech Central is not a copycat of Voice Dream and some blind people
>> prefer the concepts behind it. Even when it was paid and less fully
>> featured and people owned Voice Dream license some decided that Speech
>> Central worked better for them. And it is individual so I can't say to
>> anyone if they are in this group or not, I can only suggest everyone to
>> try as it is free.
>>
>>
>>
>> 2. It doesn't need to be all or nothing. Speech Central has multiple
>> functions that Voice Dream doesn't have. One of the most used among blind
>> people is to export audio files. So some people use both apps and use
>> Speech Central for things like this.
>>
>>
>>
>> 3. the latest update of Speech Central is a game changer however. Now
>> Voice Dream is literally one generation behind. I did provide the video
>> that lasts 1 minute and which audio recording of both apps reading the
>> same text clearly documents that, but some people opted not to open it and
>> to talk negative to Speech Central. Huge majority of people that talk
>> negatively on Speech Central openly admit that they have never invested
>> few minutes to try the app themselves, which is quite telling.
>>
>>
>>
>> On Thursday, February 1, 2024 at 9:05:15 AM UTC+1 Sieghard Weitzel wrote:
>>>
>>> It is my understanding that Speech Central is free whereas Voice Dream
>>> reader is only free to long-time users, but that th

Re: The next generation of Speech Central has been launched

[Mary Otten]

Like richard, assuming Voice Dream reader continues to work well, I will pay a subscription when it comes to that, because I do so much reading from bookshare, and getting books into Voice Dream reader from there is so simple. I’m not willing to waste my time jumping through so many hoops just so I can get better speech output. Sorry. Not into it. I’m OK with the free voices I have access to or even those that I actually paid something for before I guess they all went free now in Voice Dream. I didn’t pay that much and it was years ago. Sent from my iPhoneOn Feb 5, 2024, at 7:03 AM, Richard Turner  wrote:Ivan said in part: “Huge majority of people that talk negatively on Speech Central openly admit that they have never invested few minutes to try the app themselves, which is quite telling.”--I have spent several hours trying to use the program.  I am quite sure some people find it excellent, I’m not willing to do what it takes to use Speech Central because to me, the steps to get things done are way more involved than they need to be. Like Sieghard, I do buy books from Audible, but I prefer converting them to mp3 and listening with Voice Dream Reader though the Audible app is much better than it used to be.  I find it easier to keep track of where I am in a book or to move around within Voice Dream Reader. And, at this point, I hope to be done discussing the two apps.  When I have to subscribe to Voice Dream Reader, which is going to happen, I’ll gladly do that. The same reason I keep paying for Jaws.   I wish all those using Speech Central well and am glad they have an alternative.  No one should have to use just one app for anything. Richard, USA“Grandma always told us, “Be careful when you pray for patience. God stores it on the other side of Hell and you will have to go through Hell to get it.”-- Cedrick Bridgeforth My web site: https://www.turner42.com/ Microsoft Windows 11 Core Version 23H2 (OS Build 22631.2715), JAWS version 2024.2310.70.400  From: viphone@googlegroups.com  On Behalf Of Ivan IcinSent: Thursday, February 1, 2024 4:15 AMTo: VIPhone Subject: Re: The next generation of Speech Central has been launched Sieghard, I completely share your opinion and I would write almost the same. There are three points that I would like to add: 1. Speech Central is not a copycat of Voice Dream and some blind people prefer the concepts behind it. Even when it was paid and less fully featured and people owned Voice Dream license some decided that Speech Central worked better for them. And it is individual so I can't say to anyone if they are in this group or not, I can only suggest everyone to try as it is free. 2. It doesn't need to be all or nothing. Speech Central has multiple functions that Voice Dream doesn't have. One of the most used among blind people is to export audio files. So some people use both apps and use Speech Central for things like this. 3. the latest update of Speech Central is a game changer however. Now Voice Dream is literally one generation behind. I did provide the video that lasts 1 minute and which audio recording of both apps reading the same text clearly documents that, but some people opted not to open it and to talk negative to Speech Central. Huge majority of people that talk negatively on Speech Central openly admit that they have never invested few minutes to try the app themselves, which is quite telling. On Thursday, February 1, 2024 at 9:05:15 AM UTC+1 Sieghard Weitzel wrote:It is my understanding that Speech Central is free whereas Voice Dream reader is only free to long-time users, but that that also may not be written in stone.If you suddenly had to pay say $60 or $80 a year for Voice Dream Reader and Speech central were available as a free alternative, what would be your choice?I guess still some who have no problems with affording $60 or $80 a year would still continue with Voice Dream Reader since it is what they are used to. It is the same thing with Jaws and NVDA, the latter is free and from all I hear, it is by now a very good and advanced screenreader which in some cases does a better job than Jaws. But still many people pay their annual subscrition or SMA every 2 years for Jaws (I am one of them since after almost 35 years Jaws is in my blood so to speak).And here is one other example, audio books. There are free sources for audio books especially for the blind, yet I choose to pay my annual subscription for 24 books from Audible and I buy dozens more each year, just about all of these extra books I buy from the daily deal where they cost mostly between $2.99 and $4.99 or I buy them when they have a sale with a few hundred titles for a $4.99 or $5.99 price. But still, I spend probably $400 or $500 on audio books each year, but I simply like the convenience and easy of use the audible app gives me and how quick and easy it is to buy a book. From: vip...@googlegroups.com <vip...@googlegroups.com> On Behalf Of Duane SteeleSent: Wednesday, 

RE: The next generation of Speech Central has been launched

[Richard Turner]

Ivan said in part:

 

“Huge majority of people that talk negatively on Speech Central openly admit 
that they have never invested few minutes to try the app themselves, which is 
quite telling.”

--

I have spent several hours trying to use the program.  I am quite sure some 
people find it excellent, I’m not willing to do what it takes to use Speech 
Central because to me, the steps to get things done are way more involved than 
they need to be.

 

Like Sieghard, I do buy books from Audible, but I prefer converting them to mp3 
and listening with Voice Dream Reader though the Audible app is much better 
than it used to be.  I find it easier to keep track of where I am in a book or 
to move around within Voice Dream Reader.

 

And, at this point, I hope to be done discussing the two apps.  When I have to 
subscribe to Voice Dream Reader, which is going to happen, I’ll gladly do that.

 

The same reason I keep paying for Jaws.  

 

I wish all those using Speech Central well and am glad they have an 
alternative.  No one should have to use just one app for anything.

 

Richard, USA

“Grandma always told us, “Be careful when you pray for patience. God stores it 
on the other side of Hell and you will have to go through Hell to get it.”

-- Cedrick Bridgeforth

 

My web site:  <https://www.turner42.com/> https://www.turner42.com/

 

Microsoft Windows 11 Core Version 23H2 (OS Build 22631.2715), 

JAWS version 2024.2310.70.400

 

 

From: viphone@googlegroups.com  On Behalf Of Ivan Icin
Sent: Thursday, February 1, 2024 4:15 AM
To: VIPhone 
Subject: Re: The next generation of Speech Central has been launched

 

Sieghard,

 

I completely share your opinion and I would write almost the same. There are 
three points that I would like to add:

 

1. Speech Central is not a copycat of Voice Dream and some blind people prefer 
the concepts behind it. Even when it was paid and less fully featured and 
people owned Voice Dream license some decided that Speech Central worked better 
for them. And it is individual so I can't say to anyone if they are in this 
group or not, I can only suggest everyone to try as it is free.

 

2. It doesn't need to be all or nothing. Speech Central has multiple functions 
that Voice Dream doesn't have. One of the most used among blind people is to 
export audio files. So some people use both apps and use Speech Central for 
things like this.

 

3. the latest update of Speech Central is a game changer however. Now Voice 
Dream is literally one generation behind. I did provide the video that lasts 1 
minute and which audio recording of both apps reading the same text clearly 
documents that, but some people opted not to open it and to talk negative to 
Speech Central. Huge majority of people that talk negatively on Speech Central 
openly admit that they have never invested few minutes to try the app 
themselves, which is quite telling.

 

On Thursday, February 1, 2024 at 9:05:15 AM UTC+1 Sieghard Weitzel wrote:

It is my understanding that Speech Central is free whereas Voice Dream reader 
is only free to long-time users, but that that also may not be written in stone.

If you suddenly had to pay say $60 or $80 a year for Voice Dream Reader and 
Speech central were available as a free alternative, what would be your choice?

I guess still some who have no problems with affording $60 or $80 a year would 
still continue with Voice Dream Reader since it is what they are used to. It is 
the same thing with Jaws and NVDA, the latter is free and from all I hear, it 
is by now a very good and advanced screenreader which in some cases does a 
better job than Jaws. But still many people pay their annual subscrition or SMA 
every 2 years for Jaws (I am one of them since after almost 35 years Jaws is in 
my blood so to speak).

And here is one other example, audio books. There are free sources for audio 
books especially for the blind, yet I choose to pay my annual subscription for 
24 books from Audible and I buy dozens more each year, just about all of these 
extra books I buy from the daily deal where they cost mostly between $2.99 and 
$4.99 or I buy them when they have a sale with a few hundred titles for a $4.99 
or $5.99 price. But still, I spend probably $400 or $500 on audio books each 
year, but I simply like the convenience and easy of use the audible app gives 
me and how quick and easy it is to buy a book.

 

From: vip...@googlegroups.com <mailto:vip...@googlegroups.com>  
mailto:vip...@googlegroups.com> > On Behalf Of Duane 
Steele
Sent: Wednesday, January 31, 2024 1:59 PM
To: vip...@googlegroups.com <mailto:vip...@googlegroups.com> 

Subject: Re: The next generation of Speech Central has been launched

 

Hello Listers,

 

After reading the latest AppleVis entry about speech central, I'm puzzled. 
Having been a Voice Dream user since its initial launch, and following its 
changes and updates to the present, I'm really not

RE: The next generation of Speech Central has been launched

[Mohammad Fazil]

Is Speech Central free?
Thanks!

From: viphone@googlegroups.com  On Behalf Of Richard 
Turner
Sent: Wednesday, January 31, 2024 1:50 PM
To: viphone@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: The next generation of Speech Central has been launched

Ivan,
I simplified what you said but did not misquote you.
Since Mary to whom I address my comments is on this same list, she will likely 
have read your full explanation of your situation with bookshare and how you 
had supported it, etc.

It seems like I cannot say anything about your app other than undaunted praise 
without your taking offense.

Since you also cannot be bothered to explain your process of getting bookshare 
booksinto your app, then I guess I don’t need to give it an honest try.
I was willing to do that.

Richard, USA
“Grandma always told us, “Be careful when you pray for patience. God stores it 
on the other side of Hell and you will have to go through Hell to get it.”
-- Cedrick Bridgeforth

My web site: https://www.turner42.com/

Microsoft Windows 11 Core Version 23H2 (OS Build 22631.2715),
JAWS version 2024.2310.70.400


From: viphone@googlegroups.com<mailto:viphone@googlegroups.com> 
mailto:viphone@googlegroups.com>> On Behalf Of Ivan 
Icin
Sent: Wednesday, January 31, 2024 1:36 PM
To: VIPhone mailto:viphone@googlegroups.com>>
Subject: Re: The next generation of Speech Central has been launched

Richard,

I am not sure if you misquote me intentionally or unintentionally.

Either way, the correct fact is that I have supported Bookshare for 7 years. 
All of the users of the app together in December 2024 downloaded 10 books from 
Bookshare. Yes that is less of work to download those ten book for those 10 
users ( than for me to write the support for Bookshare (and I would quickly 
remind you on your statements on how much support is expensive for one app that 
you love and how they need to charge immense amount for that).

I am not sure how you can blame me for Speech Central users (including if you 
make the subgroup of VoiceOver users only) highly prefer to use PDFs, ePubs, 
web and almost everything else except books from Bookshare. I did spend my 
effort on non-profit basis for 7 years to support those people even if their 
volume of usage wasn't something that justified the support. I would imagine 
that this deserves some words like "thank you" or something similar. What 
exactly did I do wrong?

Further I think that at the moment if someone is to be blamed it is Bookshare 
as they do allow downloads from the website, but don't implement the share 
function in their Reader app which would make importing into any app a piece of 
cake. No need for any app in this world to write the support for Bookshare as 
every app would support Bookshare.
On Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at 10:21:59 PM UTC+1 Richard Turner wrote:
I just downloaded it to try and immediately found out that to install books 
from bookshare you have to download the DAISY file and import it because the 
developer decided that customers could download the ten books per month that 
way rather than him having to take the time to program for their interface ...
BTW, did you try the update to VDR today to see if it fixed your download issue?

Sent from my iPad

On Jan 31, 2024, at 12:47 PM, Mary Otten 
mailto:mott...@gmail.com>> wrote:

I just saw this on Apple viz.. Has anyone actually used this app? I had it on 
android and frankly couldn’t figure out how to use it or what it would be good 
for. But I’m not God’s gift to android that’s for sure. So I want to know if 
there are voice dream users out there using iPhones who have use this app. I’m 
not interested in hearing from the developer. I already saw his propaganda. I 
want real world users commenting. Thanks.
The next generation of Speech Central has been launched
AppleVis | Empowering blind and low-vision users of Apple products ...  /  
Labsii

Forum
iOS and iPadOS

As the app was in the beta testing for more than two months some people may 
already know what the new version is about.

But during the beta period features were not publicly announced, that has 
happened for the first time just few days ago on the App Store.

This isn't just another update. It isn't even another big update. And it is 
hard to provide the comparison, but if you take any of the competing apps and 
their cumulative updates in the last 5 years the shear size doesn't even come 
close to this.

The full list improvements would require more than 1000 lines of text to tell. 
If we talk about new features, that would be still in hundreds of lines. Even 
major features are well above dozen of bullet lines.

So I would like to focus on just one thing that reveals all the magic behind 
the effort - the new Emulate book narration mode. This feature brings quite a 
bit of the soul to robotic voices. Check this benchmark using the Apple's Ava 
Premium voice on the same text in Speech Central and Voice D

Re: The next generation of Speech Central has been launched

[Ivan Icin]

Sieghard,

I completely share your opinion and I would write almost the same. There 
are three points that I would like to add:

1. Speech Central is not a copycat of Voice Dream and some blind people 
prefer the concepts behind it. Even when it was paid and less fully 
featured and people owned Voice Dream license some decided that Speech 
Central worked better for them. And it is individual so I can't say to 
anyone if they are in this group or not, I can only suggest everyone to try 
as it is free.

2. It doesn't need to be all or nothing. Speech Central has multiple 
functions that Voice Dream doesn't have. One of the most used among blind 
people is to export audio files. So some people use both apps and use 
Speech Central for things like this.

3. the latest update of Speech Central is a game changer however. Now Voice 
Dream is literally one generation behind. I did provide the video that 
lasts 1 minute and which audio recording of both apps reading the same text 
clearly documents that, but some people opted not to open it and to talk 
negative to Speech Central. Huge majority of people that talk negatively on 
Speech Central openly admit that they have never invested few minutes to 
try the app themselves, which is quite telling.

On Thursday, February 1, 2024 at 9:05:15 AM UTC+1 Sieghard Weitzel wrote:

> It is my understanding that Speech Central is free whereas Voice Dream 
> reader is only free to long-time users, but that that also may not be 
> written in stone.
>
> If you suddenly had to pay say $60 or $80 a year for Voice Dream Reader 
> and Speech central were available as a free alternative, what would be your 
> choice?
>
> I guess still some who have no problems with affording $60 or $80 a year 
> would still continue with Voice Dream Reader since it is what they are used 
> to. It is the same thing with Jaws and NVDA, the latter is free and from 
> all I hear, it is by now a very good and advanced screenreader which in 
> some cases does a better job than Jaws. But still many people pay their 
> annual subscrition or SMA every 2 years for Jaws (I am one of them since 
> after almost 35 years Jaws is in my blood so to speak).
>
> And here is one other example, audio books. There are free sources for 
> audio books especially for the blind, yet I choose to pay my annual 
> subscription for 24 books from Audible and I buy dozens more each year, 
> just about all of these extra books I buy from the daily deal where they 
> cost mostly between $2.99 and $4.99 or I buy them when they have a sale 
> with a few hundred titles for a $4.99 or $5.99 price. But still, I spend 
> probably $400 or $500 on audio books each year, but I simply like the 
> convenience and easy of use the audible app gives me and how quick and easy 
> it is to buy a book.
>
>  
>
> *From:* vip...@googlegroups.com  *On Behalf Of 
> *Duane 
> Steele
> *Sent:* Wednesday, January 31, 2024 1:59 PM
> *To:* vip...@googlegroups.com
>
> *Subject:* Re: The next generation of Speech Central has been launched
>
>  
>
> Hello Listers,
>
>  
>
> After reading the latest AppleVis entry about speech central, I'm puzzled. 
> Having been a Voice Dream user since its initial launch, and following its 
> changes and updates to the present, I'm really not convinced about Speech 
> Central. It's so easy to load Voice Dream content, and PDF documents read 
> well. My question is: What would make me even want to try any other 
> program? I don't ask this question to invoke controversy, but to learn why 
> some would prefer any other program over Voice Dream. If, at some point, 
> another program is more efficient than Voice Dream, I'll certainly jump on 
> that proverbial "band wagon". For now, I'm just wondering... and exploring. 
> Thanks.
>
>  
>
> +Peace & Blessings,
>
> Pastor Duane L. Steele
>
> Phone (276) 730-5194
>
>
>
> On Jan 31, 2024, at 4:36 PM, Mary Otten  wrote:
>
> I have downloaded the update, but I have not yet downloaded any more 
> books. I downloaded several recently, and after a lot of missing around and 
> reporting to the developers, they all loaded. I still don’t know why, but 
> now I have all these books and a couple of them I need to get read by the 
> weekend for stuff. But I’m definitely going to try it. If it works, 
> awesome. I am not at all excited about having to go through a big process 
> to get books share books into an app. Thumbs down. Unless Voice Dream just 
> turns into an absolute piece of junk, I’ll deal with it rather than have to 
> deal with a convoluted process for just accessing books. In my opinion, 
> that was not a good decision the developer of this app speech Central made. 
>
> Sent from my iPhon

Re: The next generation of Speech Central has been launched

[Arianna Sepulveda]

and helper for people with visual impairments (eyesight problems) and disabilities like dyslexia.Supported document types are: PDF (including scanned documents), Microsoft Word (.docx), Microsoft PowerPoint (.pptx), OpenOffice/LibreOffice (.odt, .odp), .html, .mhtml, .webarchive, .txt, .rtf. E-books in the .epub format are supported.Get the app now and enjoy the most convenient text to audio!Notes:- The free version has a daily limitation in the number of articles that you can add to it which is removed by purchasing the Pro add-on.- Some features are available only on the latest version of the operating system.- The license is valid only for the iOS/watchOS. Other operating systems have separate licenses.- DRM protected books (e.g. Kindle books) are locked to their respective vendor apps and cannot be imported into the app.moreWhat’s NewVersion HistoryJan 31, 2024 Version 14.2.3The full text edit option is back, paragraph editing is still preferred and more safe option The only thing I will add that I’m sure will make the Speech Central developer angry is that check which apps have won the best apps on Applevis.com Richard, USA“Grandma always told us, “Be careful when you pray for patience. God stores it on the other side of Hell and you will have to go through Hell to get it.”-- Cedrick Bridgeforth My web site: https://www.turner42.com/ Microsoft Windows 11 Core Version 23H2 (OS Build 22631.2715), JAWS version 2024.2310.70.400  From: viphone@googlegroups.com  On Behalf Of Duane SteeleSent: Wednesday, January 31, 2024 1:59 PMTo: viphone@googlegroups.comSubject: Re: The next generation of Speech Central has been launched Hello Listers, After reading the latest AppleVis entry about speech central, I'm puzzled. Having been a Voice Dream user since its initial launch, and following its changes and updates to the present, I'm really not convinced about Speech Central. It's so easy to load Voice Dream content, and PDF documents read well. My question is: What would make me even want to try any other program? I don't ask this question to invoke controversy, but to learn why some would prefer any other program over Voice Dream. If, at some point, another program is more efficient than Voice Dream, I'll certainly jump on that proverbial "band wagon". For now, I'm just wondering... and exploring. Thanks. +Peace & Blessings,Pastor Duane L. SteelePhone (276) 730-5194On Jan 31, 2024, at 4:36 PM, Mary Otten <motte...@gmail.com> wrote:I have downloaded the update, but I have not yet downloaded any more books. I downloaded several recently, and after a lot of missing around and reporting to the developers, they all loaded. I still don’t know why, but now I have all these books and a couple of them I need to get read by the weekend for stuff. But I’m definitely going to try it. If it works, awesome. I am not at all excited about having to go through a big process to get books share books into an app. Thumbs down. Unless Voice Dream just turns into an absolute piece of junk, I’ll deal with it rather than have to deal with a convoluted process for just accessing books. In my opinion, that was not a good decision the developer of this app speech Central made. Sent from my iPhoneOn Jan 31, 2024, at 1:21 PM, Richard Turner <richardr_tur...@comcast.net> wrote:I just downloaded it to try and immediately found out that to install books from bookshare you have to download the DAISY file and import it because the developer decided that customers could download the ten books per month that way rather than him having to take the time to program for their interface ... BTW, did you try the update to VDR today to see if it fixed your download issue?  Sent from my iPadOn Jan 31, 2024, at 12:47 PM, Mary Otten <motte...@gmail.com> wrote:I just saw this on Apple viz.. Has anyone actually used this app? I had it on android and frankly couldn’t figure out how to use it or what it would be good for. But I’m not God’s gift to android that’s for sure. So I want to know if there are voice dream users out there using iPhones who have use this app. I’m not interested in hearing from the developer. I already saw his propaganda. I want real world users commenting. Thanks.The next generation of Speech Central has been launchedAppleVis | Empowering blind and low-vision users of Apple products ...  /  LabsiiForumiOS and iPadOSAs the app was in the beta testing for more than two months some people may already know what the new version is about.But during the beta period features were not publicly announced, that has happened for the first time just few days ago on the App Store.This isn't just another update. It isn't even another big update. And it is hard to provide the comparison, but if you take any of the competing apps and their cumulative updates in the last 5 years the shear size doesn't even come close to this.The full list improvements would require more than 1000 

Re: The next generation of Speech Central has been launched

[Ivan Icin]

Richard regarding the book import I think that it is easiest to do it on 
the desktop (Windows or Mac), save on some cloud drive (whatever you use) 
and import it in Speech Central.

Regarding the instructions on how to download from the Bookshare website, 
it would be like this:
1. Go to https://www.bookshare.org/cms/
2. If you are not logged in use the option to log in.
3. search for the book that you want from searchbar.
4. when the book appears select the ePub format (for more advanced use case 
you can set this as the default format so that you don't need to do this 
each time, but let's skip that for now)
5. press the Download button
6. the website will load the new simpler page and soon there should be a 
link "Available" (before it there should be an activity indicator). When 
you click download the app will download.

Assuming that you have put the file to some cloud drive and that you have 
that cloud app installed on your device, you can import from there 
regularly using the 'Import File' feature in Speech Central (or if you 
prefer you can use the system Files app and share to Speech Central from 
there, that is nearly the same interface).

On Thursday, February 1, 2024 at 1:51:47 AM UTC+1 Richard Turner wrote:

> Thanks for the correction.  I understand you are prioritizing your paying, 
> sighted, customers, that makes perfect sense.
>
>  
>
> And how many people on this list are not VoiceOver users?  I suspect next 
> to none.
>
>  
>
> Your description in the app store does say free to VoiceOver users and 
> since this list is primarily VoiceOver users, I guess I didn’t see any 
> reason to get lost in the details.
>
>  
>
> Still waiting for those steps to get books into your app.
>
>  
>
>  
>
>  
>
> Richard, USA
>
> “Grandma always told us, “Be careful when you pray for patience. God 
> stores it on the other side of Hell and you will have to go through Hell to 
> get it.”
>
> -- Cedrick Bridgeforth
>
>  
>
> My web site: https://www.turner42.com/
>
>  
>
> Microsoft Windows 11 Core Version 23H2 (OS Build 22631.2715), 
>
> JAWS version 2024.2310.70.400
>
>  
>
>  
>
> *From:* vip...@googlegroups.com  *On Behalf Of *Ivan 
> Icin
>
>
> *Sent:* Wednesday, January 31, 2024 3:31 PM
> *To:* VIPhone 
>
> *Subject:* Re: The next generation of Speech Central has been launched
>
>  
>
> Oh, just to note that you did succeed to misquote even in that short post 
> (this post comes with lot of smiles, so no hard feelings regarding that):
>
>  
>
> My app is not free, it is just free for VoiceOver users. It costs 10$ 
> otherwise. 97% of users of my app on Apple devices aren't VoiceOver users 
> and the same is for 89% of users on Android devices. So I just provide for 
> free the app that other people regularly pay as I have decided to do so.
>
> On Thursday, February 1, 2024 at 12:08:28 AM UTC+1 Richard Turner wrote:
>
> Thank you Ivan. 
>
> I'm looking forward to trying your app out with a Bookshare book once it 
> is clear to me how to go about getting one into the app. 
>
>  
>
>  
>
> Richard, USA
>
> “Grandma always told us, “Be careful when you pray for patience. God 
> stores it on the other side of Hell and you will have to go through Hell to 
> get it.”
>
> -- Cedrick Bridgeforth
>
>  
>
> My web site: https://www.turner42.com/
>
>  
>
>  
>
>
>
> On Jan 31, 2024, at 2:59 PM, Ivan Icin  wrote:
>
> Richard,
>
>  
>
> I apologise for that word "misquoting". Maybe my impression from the old 
> time that you are biased wasn't correct or maybe something has changed, but 
> that is irrelevant now.
>
>  
>
> I am happy for myself to feel the trust in the words that you post. So 
> from my side feel completely free to share your honest opinion and you can 
> count on my full respect for it.
>
> On Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at 11:45:13 PM UTC+1 Mary Otten wrote:
>
> Ivan,
>
> Might it just be that the reason you had so few folks downloading stuff 
> from bookshare is that it was so difficult? Not straightforward at all? Not 
> at all like what we can get in Voice Dream reader or I believe also dolphin 
> easy reader, which I don’t personally use but have looked at. 
>
> For myself, by far the greatest use I have on my phone is Bhaṭṭa. Yes, I 
> have imported E pubs and PDF files into Voice during reader, which is where 
> I read all that stuff. And it helps to have the share thing off of the 
> website where you’re getting the documents from. so if Bookshare doesn’t 
> have that, they should, and I certainly wouldn’t mind asking them to 
> implement it. However, 

RE: The next generation of Speech Central has been launched

[Richard Turner]

Thanks for the correction.  I understand you are prioritizing your paying, 
sighted, customers, that makes perfect sense.

 

And how many people on this list are not VoiceOver users?  I suspect next to 
none.

 

Your description in the app store does say free to VoiceOver users and since 
this list is primarily VoiceOver users, I guess I didn’t see any reason to get 
lost in the details.

 

Still waiting for those steps to get books into your app.

 

 

 

Richard, USA

“Grandma always told us, “Be careful when you pray for patience. God stores it 
on the other side of Hell and you will have to go through Hell to get it.”

-- Cedrick Bridgeforth

 

My web site:  <https://www.turner42.com/> https://www.turner42.com/

 

Microsoft Windows 11 Core Version 23H2 (OS Build 22631.2715), 

JAWS version 2024.2310.70.400

 

 

From: viphone@googlegroups.com  On Behalf Of Ivan Icin
Sent: Wednesday, January 31, 2024 3:31 PM
To: VIPhone 
Subject: Re: The next generation of Speech Central has been launched

 

Oh, just to note that you did succeed to misquote even in that short post (this 
post comes with lot of smiles, so no hard feelings regarding that):

 

My app is not free, it is just free for VoiceOver users. It costs 10$ 
otherwise. 97% of users of my app on Apple devices aren't VoiceOver users and 
the same is for 89% of users on Android devices. So I just provide for free the 
app that other people regularly pay as I have decided to do so.

On Thursday, February 1, 2024 at 12:08:28 AM UTC+1 Richard Turner wrote:

Thank you Ivan. 

I'm looking forward to trying your app out with a Bookshare book once it is 
clear to me how to go about getting one into the app. 

 

 

Richard, USA

“Grandma always told us, “Be careful when you pray for patience. God stores it 
on the other side of Hell and you will have to go through Hell to get it.”

-- Cedrick Bridgeforth

 

My web site: https://www.turner42.com/

 

 





On Jan 31, 2024, at 2:59 PM, Ivan Icin mailto:labsii...@gmail.com> > wrote:

Richard,

 

I apologise for that word "misquoting". Maybe my impression from the old time 
that you are biased wasn't correct or maybe something has changed, but that is 
irrelevant now.

 

I am happy for myself to feel the trust in the words that you post. So from my 
side feel completely free to share your honest opinion and you can count on my 
full respect for it.

On Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at 11:45:13 PM UTC+1 Mary Otten wrote:

Ivan,

Might it just be that the reason you had so few folks downloading stuff from 
bookshare is that it was so difficult? Not straightforward at all? Not at all 
like what we can get in Voice Dream reader or I believe also dolphin easy 
reader, which I don’t personally use but have looked at. 

For myself, by far the greatest use I have on my phone is Bhaṭṭa. Yes, I have 
imported E pubs and PDF files into Voice during reader, which is where I read 
all that stuff. And it helps to have the share thing off of the website where 
you’re getting the documents from. so if Bookshare doesn’t have that, they 
should, and I certainly wouldn’t mind asking them to implement it. However, it 
is disingenuous to suppose that your figures wouldn’t be a heck of a lot 
different if you actually had a straightforward means of importing things . 
Anything that adds unnecessary complexity to the process of getting a document 
from where it is to where you want to read it is a significant deterrent, 
especially when other much more efficient alternatives are available. That’s 
just how it is.

directly from books like Voice dream has. 

Sent from my iPhone





On Jan 31, 2024, at 1:36 PM, Ivan Icin mailto:labsii...@gmail.com> > wrote:

Richard,

 

I am not sure if you misquote me intentionally or unintentionally.

 

Either way, the correct fact is that I have supported Bookshare for 7 years. 
All of the users of the app together in December 2024 downloaded 10 books from 
Bookshare. Yes that is less of work to download those ten book for those 10 
users ( than for me to write the support for Bookshare (and I would quickly 
remind you on your statements on how much support is expensive for one app that 
you love and how they need to charge immense amount for that).

 

I am not sure how you can blame me for Speech Central users (including if you 
make the subgroup of VoiceOver users only) highly prefer to use PDFs, ePubs, 
web and almost everything else except books from Bookshare. I did spend my 
effort on non-profit basis for 7 years to support those people even if their 
volume of usage wasn't something that justified the support. I would imagine 
that this deserves some words like "thank you" or something similar. What 
exactly did I do wrong?

 

Further I think that at the moment if someone is to be blamed it is Bookshare 
as they do allow downloads from the website, but don't implement the share 
function in their Reader app which 

Re: The next generation of Speech Central has been launched

[Joshua Hendrickson]

I have a lot of bookshare books I have easily put into voice dream
reader.  I wouldn't want to use an app if the process weren't quick
and easy like voice dream.  I don't care if I do have to pay a
subscription in the future.  Voice dream reader is an app I use all
the time.

On 1/31/24, Richard Turner  wrote:
> Thank you Ivan.
> I'm looking forward to trying your app out with a Bookshare book once it is
> clear to me how to go about getting one into the app.
>
>
> Richard, USA
>
> “Grandma always told us, “Be careful when you pray for patience. God stores
> it on the other side of Hell and you will have to go through Hell to get
> it.”
>
> -- Cedrick Bridgeforth
>
>
>
> My web site: https://www.turner42.com/
>
>
>
>
>
>> On Jan 31, 2024, at 2:59 PM, Ivan Icin  wrote:
>>
>> Richard,
>>
>> I apologise for that word "misquoting". Maybe my impression from the old
>> time that you are biased wasn't correct or maybe something has changed,
>> but that is irrelevant now.
>>
>> I am happy for myself to feel the trust in the words that you post. So
>> from my side feel completely free to share your honest opinion and you can
>> count on my full respect for it.
>>
>> On Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at 11:45:13 PM UTC+1 Mary Otten wrote:
>>>
>>> Ivan,
>>> Might it just be that the reason you had so few folks downloading stuff
>>> from bookshare is that it was so difficult? Not straightforward at all?
>>> Not at all like what we can get in Voice Dream reader or I believe also
>>> dolphin easy reader, which I don’t personally use but have looked at.
>>> For myself, by far the greatest use I have on my phone is Bhaṭṭa. Yes, I
>>> have imported E pubs and PDF files into Voice during reader, which is
>>> where I read all that stuff. And it helps to have the share thing off of
>>> the website where you’re getting the documents from. so if Bookshare
>>> doesn’t have that, they should, and I certainly wouldn’t mind asking them
>>> to implement it. However, it is disingenuous to suppose that your figures
>>> wouldn’t be a heck of a lot different if you actually had a
>>> straightforward means of importing things . Anything that adds
>>> unnecessary complexity to the process of getting a document from where it
>>> is to where you want to read it is a significant deterrent, especially
>>> when other much more efficient alternatives are available. That’s just
>>> how it is.
>>> directly from books like Voice dream has.
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>
 On Jan 31, 2024, at 1:36 PM, Ivan Icin  wrote:

 Richard,


 I am not sure if you misquote me intentionally or unintentionally.

 Either way, the correct fact is that I have supported Bookshare for 7
 years. All of the users of the app together in December 2024 downloaded
 10 books from Bookshare. Yes that is less of work to download those ten
 book for those 10 users ( than for me to write the support for Bookshare
 (and I would quickly remind you on your statements on how much support
 is expensive for one app that you love and how they need to charge
 immense amount for that).

 I am not sure how you can blame me for Speech Central users (including
 if you make the subgroup of VoiceOver users only) highly prefer to use
 PDFs, ePubs, web and almost everything else except books from Bookshare.
 I did spend my effort on non-profit basis for 7 years to support those
 people even if their volume of usage wasn't something that justified the
 support. I would imagine that this deserves some words like "thank you"
 or something similar. What exactly did I do wrong?

 Further I think that at the moment if someone is to be blamed it is
 Bookshare as they do allow downloads from the website, but don't
 implement the share function in their Reader app which would make
 importing into any app a piece of cake. No need for any app in this
 world to write the support for Bookshare as every app would support
 Bookshare.
 On Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at 10:21:59 PM UTC+1 Richard Turner
 wrote:
>
> I just downloaded it to try and immediately found out that to install
> books from bookshare you have to download the DAISY file and import it
> because the developer decided that customers could download the ten
> books per month that way rather than him having to take the time to
> program for their interface ...
> BTW, did you try the update to VDR today to see if it fixed your
> download issue?
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
>> On Jan 31, 2024, at 12:47 PM, Mary Otten  wrote:
>>
>> 
>>
>> I just saw this on Apple viz.. Has anyone actually used this app? I
>> had it on android and frankly couldn’t figure out how to use it or
>> what it would be good for. But I’m not God’s gift to android that’s
>> for sure. So I want to know if there are voice dream users out there
>> using iPhones who have use this app. I’

Re: The next generation of Speech Central has been launched

[Ivan Icin]

Oh, just to note that you did succeed to misquote even in that short post 
(this post comes with lot of smiles, so no hard feelings regarding that):

My app is not free, it is just free for VoiceOver users. It costs 10$ 
otherwise. 97% of users of my app on Apple devices aren't VoiceOver users 
and the same is for 89% of users on Android devices. So I just provide for 
free the app that other people regularly pay as I have decided to do so.

On Thursday, February 1, 2024 at 12:08:28 AM UTC+1 Richard Turner wrote:

> Thank you Ivan. 
> I'm looking forward to trying your app out with a Bookshare book once it 
> is clear to me how to go about getting one into the app. 
>
>
> Richard, USA
>
> “Grandma always told us, “Be careful when you pray for patience. God 
> stores it on the other side of Hell and you will have to go through Hell to 
> get it.”
>
> -- Cedrick Bridgeforth
>
>  
>
> My web site: https://www.turner42.com/
>
>  
>
>
> On Jan 31, 2024, at 2:59 PM, Ivan Icin  wrote:
>
> Richard,
>
> I apologise for that word "misquoting". Maybe my impression from the old 
> time that you are biased wasn't correct or maybe something has changed, but 
> that is irrelevant now.
>
> I am happy for myself to feel the trust in the words that you post. So 
> from my side feel completely free to share your honest opinion and you can 
> count on my full respect for it.
>
> On Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at 11:45:13 PM UTC+1 Mary Otten wrote:
>
>> Ivan,
>> Might it just be that the reason you had so few folks downloading stuff 
>> from bookshare is that it was so difficult? Not straightforward at all? Not 
>> at all like what we can get in Voice Dream reader or I believe also dolphin 
>> easy reader, which I don’t personally use but have looked at. 
>> For myself, by far the greatest use I have on my phone is Bhaṭṭa. Yes, I 
>> have imported E pubs and PDF files into Voice during reader, which is where 
>> I read all that stuff. And it helps to have the share thing off of the 
>> website where you’re getting the documents from. so if Bookshare doesn’t 
>> have that, they should, and I certainly wouldn’t mind asking them to 
>> implement it. However, it is disingenuous to suppose that your figures 
>> wouldn’t be a heck of a lot different if you actually had a straightforward 
>> means of importing things . Anything that adds unnecessary complexity to 
>> the process of getting a document from where it is to where you want to 
>> read it is a significant deterrent, especially when other much more 
>> efficient alternatives are available. That’s just how it is.
>> directly from books like Voice dream has. 
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>> On Jan 31, 2024, at 1:36 PM, Ivan Icin  wrote:
>>
>> Richard,
>>
>>
>> I am not sure if you misquote me intentionally or unintentionally.
>>
>> Either way, the correct fact is that I have supported Bookshare for 7 
>> years. All of the users of the app together in December 2024 downloaded 10 
>> books from Bookshare. Yes that is less of work to download those ten book 
>> for those 10 users ( than for me to write the support for Bookshare (and I 
>> would quickly remind you on your statements on how much support is 
>> expensive for one app that you love and how they need to charge immense 
>> amount for that).
>>
>> I am not sure how you can blame me for Speech Central users (including if 
>> you make the subgroup of VoiceOver users only) highly prefer to use PDFs, 
>> ePubs, web and almost everything else except books from Bookshare. I did 
>> spend my effort on non-profit basis for 7 years to support those people 
>> even if their volume of usage wasn't something that justified the support. 
>> I would imagine that this deserves some words like "thank you" or something 
>> similar. What exactly did I do wrong?
>>
>> Further I think that at the moment if someone is to be blamed it is 
>> Bookshare as they do allow downloads from the website, but don't implement 
>> the share function in their Reader app which would make importing into any 
>> app a piece of cake. No need for any app in this world to write the support 
>> for Bookshare as every app would support Bookshare.
>> On Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at 10:21:59 PM UTC+1 Richard Turner wrote:
>>
>>> I just downloaded it to try and immediately found out that to install 
>>> books from bookshare you have to download the DAISY file and import it 
>>> because the developer decided that customers could download the ten books 
>>> per month that way rather than him having to take the time to program for 
>>> their interface ... 
>>> BTW, did you try the update to VDR today to see if it fixed your 
>>> download issue? 
>>>
>>> Sent from my iPad
>>>
>>> On Jan 31, 2024, at 12:47 PM, Mary Otten  wrote:
>>>
>>> 
>>>
>>> I just saw this on Apple viz.. Has anyone actually used this app? I had 
>>> it on android and frankly couldn’t figure out how to use it or what it 
>>> would be good for. But I’m not God’s gift to android that’s for sure. So 

Re: The next generation of Speech Central has been launched

[Richard Turner]

Thank you Ivan. I'm looking forward to trying your app out with a Bookshare book once it is clear to me how to go about getting one into the app. Richard, USA“Grandma always told us, “Be careful when you pray for patience. God stores it on the other side of Hell and you will have to go through Hell to get it.”-- Cedrick Bridgeforth My web site: https://www.turner42.com/ On Jan 31, 2024, at 2:59 PM, Ivan Icin  wrote:Richard,I apologise for that word "misquoting". Maybe my impression from the old time that you are biased wasn't correct or maybe something has changed, but that is irrelevant now.I am happy for myself to feel the trust in the words that you post. So from my side feel completely free to share your honest opinion and you can count on my full respect for it.On Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at 11:45:13 PM UTC+1 Mary Otten wrote:Ivan,Might it just be that the reason you had so few folks downloading stuff from bookshare is that it was so difficult? Not straightforward at all? Not at all like what we can get in Voice Dream reader or I believe also dolphin easy reader, which I don’t personally use but have looked at. For myself, by far the greatest use I have on my phone is Bhaṭṭa. Yes, I have imported E pubs and PDF files into Voice during reader, which is where I read all that stuff. And it helps to have the share thing off of the website where you’re getting the documents from. so if Bookshare doesn’t have that, they should, and I certainly wouldn’t mind asking them to implement it. However, it is disingenuous to suppose that your figures wouldn’t be a heck of a lot different if you actually had a straightforward means of importing things . Anything that adds unnecessary complexity to the process of getting a document from where it is to where you want to read it is a significant deterrent, especially when other much more efficient alternatives are available. That’s just how it is.directly from books like Voice dream has. Sent from my iPhoneOn Jan 31, 2024, at 1:36 PM, Ivan Icin  wrote:Richard,I am not sure if you misquote me intentionally or unintentionally.Either way, the correct fact is that I have supported Bookshare for 7 years. All of the users of the app together in December 2024 downloaded 10 books from Bookshare. Yes that is less of work to download those ten book for those 10 users ( than for me to write the support for Bookshare (and I would quickly remind you on your statements on how much support is expensive for one app that you love and how they need to charge immense amount for that).I am not sure how you can blame me for Speech Central users (including if you make the subgroup of VoiceOver users only) highly prefer to use PDFs, ePubs, web and almost everything else except books from Bookshare. I did spend my effort on non-profit basis for 7 years to support those people even if their volume of usage wasn't something that justified the support. I would imagine that this deserves some words like "thank you" or something similar. What exactly did I do wrong?Further I think that at the moment if someone is to be blamed it is Bookshare as they do allow downloads from the website, but don't implement the share function in their Reader app which would make importing into any app a piece of cake. No need for any app in this world to write the support for Bookshare as every app would support Bookshare.On Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at 10:21:59 PM UTC+1 Richard Turner wrote:I just downloaded it to try and immediately found out that to install books from bookshare you have to download the DAISY file and import it because the developer decided that customers could download the ten books per month that way rather than him having to take the time to program for their interface ... BTW, did you try the update to VDR today to see if it fixed your download issue? Sent from my iPadOn Jan 31, 2024, at 12:47 PM, Mary Otten  wrote:I just saw this on Apple viz.. Has anyone actually used this app? I had it on android and frankly couldn’t figure out how to use it or what it would be good for. But I’m not God’s gift to android that’s for sure. So I want to know if there are voice dream users out there using iPhones who have use this app. I’m not interested in hearing from the developer. I already saw his propaganda. I want real world users commenting. Thanks.The next generation of Speech Central has been launchedAppleVis | Empowering blind and low-vision users of Apple products ...  /  Labsii




Forum
iOS and iPadOS


As the app was in the beta testing for more than two months some people may already know what the new version is about.
But during the beta period features were not publicly announced, that has happened for the first time just few days ago on the App Store.
This isn't just another update. It isn't even another big update. And it is hard to provide the comparison, but if you take any of the competing apps and their cumulative updates in the last 5 years

Re: The next generation of Speech Central has been launched

[Ivan Icin]

Richard,

I apologise for that word "misquoting". Maybe my impression from the old 
time that you are biased wasn't correct or maybe something has changed, but 
that is irrelevant now.

I am happy for myself to feel the trust in the words that you post. So from 
my side feel completely free to share your honest opinion and you can count 
on my full respect for it.

On Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at 11:45:13 PM UTC+1 Mary Otten wrote:

> Ivan,
> Might it just be that the reason you had so few folks downloading stuff 
> from bookshare is that it was so difficult? Not straightforward at all? Not 
> at all like what we can get in Voice Dream reader or I believe also dolphin 
> easy reader, which I don’t personally use but have looked at. 
> For myself, by far the greatest use I have on my phone is Bhaṭṭa. Yes, I 
> have imported E pubs and PDF files into Voice during reader, which is where 
> I read all that stuff. And it helps to have the share thing off of the 
> website where you’re getting the documents from. so if Bookshare doesn’t 
> have that, they should, and I certainly wouldn’t mind asking them to 
> implement it. However, it is disingenuous to suppose that your figures 
> wouldn’t be a heck of a lot different if you actually had a straightforward 
> means of importing things . Anything that adds unnecessary complexity to 
> the process of getting a document from where it is to where you want to 
> read it is a significant deterrent, especially when other much more 
> efficient alternatives are available. That’s just how it is.
> directly from books like Voice dream has. 
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Jan 31, 2024, at 1:36 PM, Ivan Icin  wrote:
>
> Richard,
>
>
> I am not sure if you misquote me intentionally or unintentionally.
>
> Either way, the correct fact is that I have supported Bookshare for 7 
> years. All of the users of the app together in December 2024 downloaded 10 
> books from Bookshare. Yes that is less of work to download those ten book 
> for those 10 users ( than for me to write the support for Bookshare (and I 
> would quickly remind you on your statements on how much support is 
> expensive for one app that you love and how they need to charge immense 
> amount for that).
>
> I am not sure how you can blame me for Speech Central users (including if 
> you make the subgroup of VoiceOver users only) highly prefer to use PDFs, 
> ePubs, web and almost everything else except books from Bookshare. I did 
> spend my effort on non-profit basis for 7 years to support those people 
> even if their volume of usage wasn't something that justified the support. 
> I would imagine that this deserves some words like "thank you" or something 
> similar. What exactly did I do wrong?
>
> Further I think that at the moment if someone is to be blamed it is 
> Bookshare as they do allow downloads from the website, but don't implement 
> the share function in their Reader app which would make importing into any 
> app a piece of cake. No need for any app in this world to write the support 
> for Bookshare as every app would support Bookshare.
> On Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at 10:21:59 PM UTC+1 Richard Turner wrote:
>
>> I just downloaded it to try and immediately found out that to install 
>> books from bookshare you have to download the DAISY file and import it 
>> because the developer decided that customers could download the ten books 
>> per month that way rather than him having to take the time to program for 
>> their interface ... 
>> BTW, did you try the update to VDR today to see if it fixed your download 
>> issue? 
>>
>> Sent from my iPad
>>
>> On Jan 31, 2024, at 12:47 PM, Mary Otten  wrote:
>>
>> 
>>
>> I just saw this on Apple viz.. Has anyone actually used this app? I had 
>> it on android and frankly couldn’t figure out how to use it or what it 
>> would be good for. But I’m not God’s gift to android that’s for sure. So I 
>> want to know if there are voice dream users out there using iPhones who 
>> have use this app. I’m not interested in hearing from the developer. I 
>> already saw his propaganda. I want real world users commenting. Thanks.
>> The next generation of Speech Central has been launched
>> AppleVis | Empowering blind and low-vision users of Apple products 
>> ...  /  Labsii
>>
>> Forum
>> iOS and iPadOS
>>
>> As the app was in the beta testing for more than two months some people 
>> may already know what the new version is about.
>>
>> But during the beta period features were not publicly announced, that has 
>> happened for the first time just few days ago on the App Store.
>>
>> This isn't just another update. It isn't even another big update. And it 
>> is hard to provide the comparison, but if you take any of the competing 
>> apps and their cumulative updates in the last 5 years the shear size 
>> doesn't even come close to this.
>>
>> The full list improvements would require more than 1000 lines of text to 
>> tell. If we talk about new features, that would b

Re: The next generation of Speech Central has been launched

[Mary Otten]

Ivan,Might it just be that the reason you had so few folks downloading stuff from bookshare is that it was so difficult? Not straightforward at all? Not at all like what we can get in Voice Dream reader or I believe also dolphin easy reader, which I don’t personally use but have looked at. For myself, by far the greatest use I have on my phone is Bhaṭṭa. Yes, I have imported E pubs and PDF files into Voice during reader, which is where I read all that stuff. And it helps to have the share thing off of the website where you’re getting the documents from. so if Bookshare doesn’t have that, they should, and I certainly wouldn’t mind asking them to implement it. However, it is disingenuous to suppose that your figures wouldn’t be a heck of a lot different if you actually had a straightforward means of importing things . Anything that adds unnecessary complexity to the process of getting a document from where it is to where you want to read it is a significant deterrent, especially when other much more efficient alternatives are available. That’s just how it is.directly from books like Voice dream has. Sent from my iPhoneOn Jan 31, 2024, at 1:36 PM, Ivan Icin  wrote:Richard,I am not sure if you misquote me intentionally or unintentionally.Either way, the correct fact is that I have supported Bookshare for 7 years. All of the users of the app together in December 2024 downloaded 10 books from Bookshare. Yes that is less of work to download those ten book for those 10 users ( than for me to write the support for Bookshare (and I would quickly remind you on your statements on how much support is expensive for one app that you love and how they need to charge immense amount for that).I am not sure how you can blame me for Speech Central users (including if you make the subgroup of VoiceOver users only) highly prefer to use PDFs, ePubs, web and almost everything else except books from Bookshare. I did spend my effort on non-profit basis for 7 years to support those people even if their volume of usage wasn't something that justified the support. I would imagine that this deserves some words like "thank you" or something similar. What exactly did I do wrong?Further I think that at the moment if someone is to be blamed it is Bookshare as they do allow downloads from the website, but don't implement the share function in their Reader app which would make importing into any app a piece of cake. No need for any app in this world to write the support for Bookshare as every app would support Bookshare.On Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at 10:21:59 PM UTC+1 Richard Turner wrote:I just downloaded it to try and immediately found out that to install books from bookshare you have to download the DAISY file and import it because the developer decided that customers could download the ten books per month that way rather than him having to take the time to program for their interface ... BTW, did you try the update to VDR today to see if it fixed your download issue? Sent from my iPadOn Jan 31, 2024, at 12:47 PM, Mary Otten  wrote:I just saw this on Apple viz.. Has anyone actually used this app? I had it on android and frankly couldn’t figure out how to use it or what it would be good for. But I’m not God’s gift to android that’s for sure. So I want to know if there are voice dream users out there using iPhones who have use this app. I’m not interested in hearing from the developer. I already saw his propaganda. I want real world users commenting. Thanks.The next generation of Speech Central has been launchedAppleVis | Empowering blind and low-vision users of Apple products ...  /  Labsii




Forum
iOS and iPadOS


As the app was in the beta testing for more than two months some people may already know what the new version is about.
But during the beta period features were not publicly announced, that has happened for the first time just few days ago on the App Store.
This isn't just another update. It isn't even another big update. And it is hard to provide the comparison, but if you take any of the competing apps and their cumulative updates in the last 5 years the shear size doesn't even come close to this.
The full list improvements would require more than 1000 lines of text to tell. If we talk about new features, that would be still in hundreds of lines. Even major features are well above dozen of bullet lines.
So I would like to focus on just one thing that reveals all the magic behind the effort - the new Emulate book narration mode. This feature brings quite a bit of the soul to robotic voices. Check this benchmark using the Apple's Ava Premium voice on the same text in Speech Central and Voice Dream: https://youtu.be/lCbr8HqXUCc
Also you can check the same for Microsoft Ema voice in Speech Central and NaturalReader: https://youtu.be/HRiDafir-NY
Regarding the other features I'll just use the same list as I have used in the App Store:
- Design overhaul that maximises the space for the text on iPhone and add

Re: The next generation of Speech Central has been launched

[Duane Steele]

for patience. God stores it on the other side of Hell and you will have to go through Hell to get it.”-- Cedrick Bridgeforth My web site: https://www.turner42.com/ Microsoft Windows 11 Core Version 23H2 (OS Build 22631.2715), JAWS version 2024.2310.70.400  From: viphone@googlegroups.com  On Behalf Of Duane SteeleSent: Wednesday, January 31, 2024 1:59 PMTo: viphone@googlegroups.comSubject: Re: The next generation of Speech Central has been launched Hello Listers, After reading the latest AppleVis entry about speech central, I'm puzzled. Having been a Voice Dream user since its initial launch, and following its changes and updates to the present, I'm really not convinced about Speech Central. It's so easy to load Voice Dream content, and PDF documents read well. My question is: What would make me even want to try any other program? I don't ask this question to invoke controversy, but to learn why some would prefer any other program over Voice Dream. If, at some point, another program is more efficient than Voice Dream, I'll certainly jump on that proverbial "band wagon". For now, I'm just wondering... and exploring. Thanks. +Peace & Blessings,Pastor Duane L. SteelePhone (276) 730-5194On Jan 31, 2024, at 4:36 PM, Mary Otten <motte...@gmail.com> wrote:I have downloaded the update, but I have not yet downloaded any more books. I downloaded several recently, and after a lot of missing around and reporting to the developers, they all loaded. I still don’t know why, but now I have all these books and a couple of them I need to get read by the weekend for stuff. But I’m definitely going to try it. If it works, awesome. I am not at all excited about having to go through a big process to get books share books into an app. Thumbs down. Unless Voice Dream just turns into an absolute piece of junk, I’ll deal with it rather than have to deal with a convoluted process for just accessing books. In my opinion, that was not a good decision the developer of this app speech Central made. Sent from my iPhoneOn Jan 31, 2024, at 1:21 PM, Richard Turner <richardr_tur...@comcast.net> wrote:I just downloaded it to try and immediately found out that to install books from bookshare you have to download the DAISY file and import it because the developer decided that customers could download the ten books per month that way rather than him having to take the time to program for their interface ... BTW, did you try the update to VDR today to see if it fixed your download issue?  Sent from my iPadOn Jan 31, 2024, at 12:47 PM, Mary Otten <motte...@gmail.com> wrote:I just saw this on Apple viz.. Has anyone actually used this app? I had it on android and frankly couldn’t figure out how to use it or what it would be good for. But I’m not God’s gift to android that’s for sure. So I want to know if there are voice dream users out there using iPhones who have use this app. I’m not interested in hearing from the developer. I already saw his propaganda. I want real world users commenting. Thanks.The next generation of Speech Central has been launchedAppleVis | Empowering blind and low-vision users of Apple products ...  /  LabsiiForumiOS and iPadOSAs the app was in the beta testing for more than two months some people may already know what the new version is about.But during the beta period features were not publicly announced, that has happened for the first time just few days ago on the App Store.This isn't just another update. It isn't even another big update. And it is hard to provide the comparison, but if you take any of the competing apps and their cumulative updates in the last 5 years the shear size doesn't even come close to this.The full list improvements would require more than 1000 lines of text to tell. If we talk about new features, that would be still in hundreds of lines. Even major features are well above dozen of bullet lines.So I would like to focus on just one thing that reveals all the magic behind the effort - the new Emulate book narration mode. This feature brings quite a bit of the soul to robotic voices. Check this benchmark using the Apple's Ava Premium voice on the same text in Speech Central and Voice Dream: https://youtu.be/lCbr8HqXUCcAlso you can check the same for Microsoft Ema voice in Speech Central and NaturalReader: https://youtu.be/HRiDafir-NYRegarding the other features I'll just use the same list as I have used in the App Store:- Design overhaul that maximises the space for the text on iPhone and adds sidebar functionality to the iPad- Multiwindow/multidocument support on the iPad- Instant mode for quick and simple reading- Music Intermezzo - inject Apple Music into your listening- Improved accessibility- Improved sync - more comprehensive, robust and performant- Numerous new settings options- Siri voice command to start playing now works even behind the lock screenAs the app is free when used with VoiceOver, the best thin

Re: The next generation of Speech Central has been launched

[Malcolm Parfitt]

rsion 23H2 (OS Build 22631.2715), JAWS version 2024.2310.70.400  From: viphone@googlegroups.com  On Behalf Of Duane SteeleSent: Wednesday, January 31, 2024 1:59 PMTo: viphone@googlegroups.comSubject: Re: The next generation of Speech Central has been launched Hello Listers, After reading the latest AppleVis entry about speech central, I'm puzzled. Having been a Voice Dream user since its initial launch, and following its changes and updates to the present, I'm really not convinced about Speech Central. It's so easy to load Voice Dream content, and PDF documents read well. My question is: What would make me even want to try any other program? I don't ask this question to invoke controversy, but to learn why some would prefer any other program over Voice Dream. If, at some point, another program is more efficient than Voice Dream, I'll certainly jump on that proverbial "band wagon". For now, I'm just wondering... and exploring. Thanks. +Peace & Blessings,Pastor Duane L. SteelePhone (276) 730-5194On Jan 31, 2024, at 4:36 PM, Mary Otten <motte...@gmail.com> wrote:I have downloaded the update, but I have not yet downloaded any more books. I downloaded several recently, and after a lot of missing around and reporting to the developers, they all loaded. I still don’t know why, but now I have all these books and a couple of them I need to get read by the weekend for stuff. But I’m definitely going to try it. If it works, awesome. I am not at all excited about having to go through a big process to get books share books into an app. Thumbs down. Unless Voice Dream just turns into an absolute piece of junk, I’ll deal with it rather than have to deal with a convoluted process for just accessing books. In my opinion, that was not a good decision the developer of this app speech Central made. Sent from my iPhoneOn Jan 31, 2024, at 1:21 PM, Richard Turner <richardr_tur...@comcast.net> wrote:I just downloaded it to try and immediately found out that to install books from bookshare you have to download the DAISY file and import it because the developer decided that customers could download the ten books per month that way rather than him having to take the time to program for their interface ... BTW, did you try the update to VDR today to see if it fixed your download issue?  Sent from my iPadOn Jan 31, 2024, at 12:47 PM, Mary Otten <motte...@gmail.com> wrote:I just saw this on Apple viz.. Has anyone actually used this app? I had it on android and frankly couldn’t figure out how to use it or what it would be good for. But I’m not God’s gift to android that’s for sure. So I want to know if there are voice dream users out there using iPhones who have use this app. I’m not interested in hearing from the developer. I already saw his propaganda. I want real world users commenting. Thanks.The next generation of Speech Central has been launchedAppleVis | Empowering blind and low-vision users of Apple products ...  /  LabsiiForumiOS and iPadOSAs the app was in the beta testing for more than two months some people may already know what the new version is about.But during the beta period features were not publicly announced, that has happened for the first time just few days ago on the App Store.This isn't just another update. It isn't even another big update. And it is hard to provide the comparison, but if you take any of the competing apps and their cumulative updates in the last 5 years the shear size doesn't even come close to this.The full list improvements would require more than 1000 lines of text to tell. If we talk about new features, that would be still in hundreds of lines. Even major features are well above dozen of bullet lines.So I would like to focus on just one thing that reveals all the magic behind the effort - the new Emulate book narration mode. This feature brings quite a bit of the soul to robotic voices. Check this benchmark using the Apple's Ava Premium voice on the same text in Speech Central and Voice Dream: https://youtu.be/lCbr8HqXUCcAlso you can check the same for Microsoft Ema voice in Speech Central and NaturalReader: https://youtu.be/HRiDafir-NYRegarding the other features I'll just use the same list as I have used in the App Store:- Design overhaul that maximises the space for the text on iPhone and adds sidebar functionality to the iPad- Multiwindow/multidocument support on the iPad- Instant mode for quick and simple reading- Music Intermezzo - inject Apple Music into your listening- Improved accessibility- Improved sync - more comprehensive, robust and performant- Numerous new settings options- Siri voice command to start playing now works even behind the lock screenAs the app is free when used with VoiceOver, the best thing is to try it yourself: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/speech-central-ai-voice-reader/id1127349155Original Article: https://www.applevis.com/forum/ios-ipados/next-generation-speech-central-has-been

RE: The next generation of Speech Central has been launched

[Richard Turner]

 Build 22631.2715), 

JAWS version 2024.2310.70.400

 

 

From: viphone@googlegroups.com  On Behalf Of Duane 
Steele
Sent: Wednesday, January 31, 2024 1:59 PM
To: viphone@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: The next generation of Speech Central has been launched

 

Hello Listers,

 

After reading the latest AppleVis entry about speech central, I'm puzzled. 
Having been a Voice Dream user since its initial launch, and following its 
changes and updates to the present, I'm really not convinced about Speech 
Central. It's so easy to load Voice Dream content, and PDF documents read well. 
My question is: What would make me even want to try any other program? I don't 
ask this question to invoke controversy, but to learn why some would prefer any 
other program over Voice Dream. If, at some point, another program is more 
efficient than Voice Dream, I'll certainly jump on that proverbial "band 
wagon". For now, I'm just wondering... and exploring. Thanks.

 

+Peace & Blessings,

Pastor Duane L. Steele

Phone (276) 730-5194





On Jan 31, 2024, at 4:36 PM, Mary Otten mailto:motte...@gmail.com> > wrote:

I have downloaded the update, but I have not yet downloaded any more books. I 
downloaded several recently, and after a lot of missing around and reporting to 
the developers, they all loaded. I still don’t know why, but now I have all 
these books and a couple of them I need to get read by the weekend for stuff. 
But I’m definitely going to try it. If it works, awesome. I am not at all 
excited about having to go through a big process to get books share books into 
an app. Thumbs down. Unless Voice Dream just turns into an absolute piece of 
junk, I’ll deal with it rather than have to deal with a convoluted process for 
just accessing books. In my opinion, that was not a good decision the developer 
of this app speech Central made. 

Sent from my iPhone





On Jan 31, 2024, at 1:21 PM, Richard Turner mailto:richardr_tur...@comcast.net> > wrote:

I just downloaded it to try and immediately found out that to install books 
from bookshare you have to download the DAISY file and import it because the 
developer decided that customers could download the ten books per month that 
way rather than him having to take the time to program for their interface ... 

BTW, did you try the update to VDR today to see if it fixed your download 
issue? 

 

Sent from my iPad





On Jan 31, 2024, at 12:47 PM, Mary Otten mailto:motte...@gmail.com> > wrote:



I just saw this on Apple viz.. Has anyone actually used this app? I had it on 
android and frankly couldn’t figure out how to use it or what it would be good 
for. But I’m not God’s gift to android that’s for sure. So I want to know if 
there are voice dream users out there using iPhones who have use this app. I’m 
not interested in hearing from the developer. I already saw his propaganda. I 
want real world users commenting. Thanks.

The next generation of Speech Central has been launched

AppleVis | Empowering blind and low-vision users of Apple products ...  /  
Labsii





Forum

iOS and iPadOS

As the app was in the beta testing for more than two months some people may 
already know what the new version is about.

But during the beta period features were not publicly announced, that has 
happened for the first time just few days ago on the App Store.

This isn't just another update. It isn't even another big update. And it is 
hard to provide the comparison, but if you take any of the competing apps and 
their cumulative updates in the last 5 years the shear size doesn't even come 
close to this.

The full list improvements would require more than 1000 lines of text to tell. 
If we talk about new features, that would be still in hundreds of lines. Even 
major features are well above dozen of bullet lines.

So I would like to focus on just one thing that reveals all the magic behind 
the effort - the new Emulate book narration mode. This feature brings quite a 
bit of the soul to robotic voices. Check this benchmark using the Apple's Ava 
Premium voice on the same text in Speech Central and Voice Dream: 
https://youtu.be/lCbr8HqXUCc

Also you can check the same for Microsoft Ema voice in Speech Central and 
NaturalReader: https://youtu.be/HRiDafir-NY

Regarding the other features I'll just use the same list as I have used in the 
App Store:
- Design overhaul that maximises the space for the text on iPhone and adds 
sidebar functionality to the iPad
- Multiwindow/multidocument support on the iPad
- Instant mode for quick and simple reading
- Music Intermezzo - inject Apple Music into your listening
- Improved accessibility
- Improved sync - more comprehensive, robust and performant
- Numerous new settings options
- Siri voice command to start playing now works even behind the lock screen

As the app is free when used with VoiceOver, the best thing is to try it 
yourself: 
https://apps.

Re: The next generation of Speech Central has been launched

[Duane Steele]

Hello Listers,After reading the latest AppleVis entry about speech central, I'm puzzled. Having been a Voice Dream user since its initial launch, and following its changes and updates to the present, I'm really not convinced about Speech Central. It's so easy to load Voice Dream content, and PDF documents read well. My question is: What would make me even want to try any other program? I don't ask this question to invoke controversy, but to learn why some would prefer any other program over Voice Dream. If, at some point, another program is more efficient than Voice Dream, I'll certainly jump on that proverbial "band wagon". For now, I'm just wondering... and exploring. Thanks.+Peace & Blessings,Pastor Duane L. SteelePhone (276) 730-5194On Jan 31, 2024, at 4:36 PM, Mary Otten  wrote:I have downloaded the update, but I have not yet downloaded any more books. I downloaded several recently, and after a lot of missing around and reporting to the developers, they all loaded. I still don’t know why, but now I have all these books and a couple of them I need to get read by the weekend for stuff. But I’m definitely going to try it. If it works, awesome. I am not at all excited about having to go through a big process to get books share books into an app. Thumbs down. Unless Voice Dream just turns into an absolute piece of junk, I’ll deal with it rather than have to deal with a convoluted process for just accessing books. In my opinion, that was not a good decision the developer of this app speech Central made. Sent from my iPhoneOn Jan 31, 2024, at 1:21 PM, Richard Turner  wrote:I just downloaded it to try and immediately found out that to install books from bookshare you have to download the DAISY file and import it because the developer decided that customers could download the ten books per month that way rather than him having to take the time to program for their interface ... BTW, did you try the update to VDR today to see if it fixed your download issue? Sent from my iPadOn Jan 31, 2024, at 12:47 PM, Mary Otten  wrote:I just saw this on Apple viz.. Has anyone actually used this app? I had it on android and frankly couldn’t figure out how to use it or what it would be good for. But I’m not God’s gift to android that’s for sure. So I want to know if there are voice dream users out there using iPhones who have use this app. I’m not interested in hearing from the developer. I already saw his propaganda. I want real world users commenting. Thanks.The next generation of Speech Central has been launchedAppleVis | Empowering blind and low-vision users of Apple products ...  /  Labsii




Forum
iOS and iPadOS


As the app was in the beta testing for more than two months some people may already know what the new version is about.
But during the beta period features were not publicly announced, that has happened for the first time just few days ago on the App Store.
This isn't just another update. It isn't even another big update. And it is hard to provide the comparison, but if you take any of the competing apps and their cumulative updates in the last 5 years the shear size doesn't even come close to this.
The full list improvements would require more than 1000 lines of text to tell. If we talk about new features, that would be still in hundreds of lines. Even major features are well above dozen of bullet lines.
So I would like to focus on just one thing that reveals all the magic behind the effort - the new Emulate book narration mode. This feature brings quite a bit of the soul to robotic voices. Check this benchmark using the Apple's Ava Premium voice on the same text in Speech Central and Voice Dream: https://youtu.be/lCbr8HqXUCc
Also you can check the same for Microsoft Ema voice in Speech Central and NaturalReader: https://youtu.be/HRiDafir-NY
Regarding the other features I'll just use the same list as I have used in the App Store:
- Design overhaul that maximises the space for the text on iPhone and adds sidebar functionality to the iPad
- Multiwindow/multidocument support on the iPad
- Instant mode for quick and simple reading
- Music Intermezzo - inject Apple Music into your listening
- Improved accessibility
- Improved sync - more comprehensive, robust and performant
- Numerous new settings options
- Siri voice command to start playing now works even behind the lock screen
As the app is free when used with VoiceOver, the best thing is to try it yourself: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/speech-central-ai-voice-reader/id1127349155







Original Article: https://www.applevis.com/forum/ios-ipados/next-generation-speech-central-has-been-launchedSent from my iPhone



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The following information is important for all members of the V iPhone list.
 
If you have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or if you feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the owners or moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself.
 
Your V iPhone list moderator is Mark Taylor.  Mar

RE: The next generation of Speech Central has been launched

[Richard Turner]

Ivan,

I simplified what you said but did not misquote you.

Since Mary to whom I address my comments is on this same list, she will likely 
have read your full explanation of your situation with bookshare and how you 
had supported it, etc.

 

It seems like I cannot say anything about your app other than undaunted praise 
without your taking offense.

 

Since you also cannot be bothered to explain your process of getting bookshare 
booksinto your app, then I guess I don’t need to give it an honest try.

I was willing to do that.

 

Richard, USA

“Grandma always told us, “Be careful when you pray for patience. God stores it 
on the other side of Hell and you will have to go through Hell to get it.”

-- Cedrick Bridgeforth

 

My web site:  <https://www.turner42.com/> https://www.turner42.com/

 

Microsoft Windows 11 Core Version 23H2 (OS Build 22631.2715), 

JAWS version 2024.2310.70.400

 

 

From: viphone@googlegroups.com  On Behalf Of Ivan Icin
Sent: Wednesday, January 31, 2024 1:36 PM
To: VIPhone 
Subject: Re: The next generation of Speech Central has been launched

 

Richard,

 

I am not sure if you misquote me intentionally or unintentionally.

 

Either way, the correct fact is that I have supported Bookshare for 7 years. 
All of the users of the app together in December 2024 downloaded 10 books from 
Bookshare. Yes that is less of work to download those ten book for those 10 
users ( than for me to write the support for Bookshare (and I would quickly 
remind you on your statements on how much support is expensive for one app that 
you love and how they need to charge immense amount for that).

 

I am not sure how you can blame me for Speech Central users (including if you 
make the subgroup of VoiceOver users only) highly prefer to use PDFs, ePubs, 
web and almost everything else except books from Bookshare. I did spend my 
effort on non-profit basis for 7 years to support those people even if their 
volume of usage wasn't something that justified the support. I would imagine 
that this deserves some words like "thank you" or something similar. What 
exactly did I do wrong?

 

Further I think that at the moment if someone is to be blamed it is Bookshare 
as they do allow downloads from the website, but don't implement the share 
function in their Reader app which would make importing into any app a piece of 
cake. No need for any app in this world to write the support for Bookshare as 
every app would support Bookshare.

On Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at 10:21:59 PM UTC+1 Richard Turner wrote:

I just downloaded it to try and immediately found out that to install books 
from bookshare you have to download the DAISY file and import it because the 
developer decided that customers could download the ten books per month that 
way rather than him having to take the time to program for their interface ... 

BTW, did you try the update to VDR today to see if it fixed your download 
issue? 

 

Sent from my iPad





On Jan 31, 2024, at 12:47 PM, Mary Otten mailto:mott...@gmail.com> > wrote:



I just saw this on Apple viz.. Has anyone actually used this app? I had it on 
android and frankly couldn’t figure out how to use it or what it would be good 
for. But I’m not God’s gift to android that’s for sure. So I want to know if 
there are voice dream users out there using iPhones who have use this app. I’m 
not interested in hearing from the developer. I already saw his propaganda. I 
want real world users commenting. Thanks.

The next generation of Speech Central has been launched

AppleVis | Empowering blind and low-vision users of Apple products ...  /  
Labsii

 

Forum

iOS and iPadOS

As the app was in the beta testing for more than two months some people may 
already know what the new version is about.

But during the beta period features were not publicly announced, that has 
happened for the first time just few days ago on the App Store.

This isn't just another update. It isn't even another big update. And it is 
hard to provide the comparison, but if you take any of the competing apps and 
their cumulative updates in the last 5 years the shear size doesn't even come 
close to this.

The full list improvements would require more than 1000 lines of text to tell. 
If we talk about new features, that would be still in hundreds of lines. Even 
major features are well above dozen of bullet lines.

So I would like to focus on just one thing that reveals all the magic behind 
the effort - the new Emulate book narration mode. This feature brings quite a 
bit of the soul to robotic voices. Check this benchmark using the Apple's Ava 
Premium voice on the same text in Speech Central and Voice Dream: 
https://youtu.be/lCbr8HqXUCc

Also you can check the same for Microsoft Ema voice in Speech Central and 
NaturalReader: https://youtu.be/HRiDafir-NY

Regarding the other features I'll just use the same list as I have used in the 
App Store:
-

Re: The next generation of Speech Central has been launched

[Ivan Icin]

Richard,

I am not sure if you misquote me intentionally or unintentionally.

Either way, the correct fact is that I have supported Bookshare for 7 
years. All of the users of the app together in December 2024 downloaded 10 
books from Bookshare. Yes that is less of work to download those ten book 
for those 10 users ( than for me to write the support for Bookshare (and I 
would quickly remind you on your statements on how much support is 
expensive for one app that you love and how they need to charge immense 
amount for that).

I am not sure how you can blame me for Speech Central users (including if 
you make the subgroup of VoiceOver users only) highly prefer to use PDFs, 
ePubs, web and almost everything else except books from Bookshare. I did 
spend my effort on non-profit basis for 7 years to support those people 
even if their volume of usage wasn't something that justified the support. 
I would imagine that this deserves some words like "thank you" or something 
similar. What exactly did I do wrong?

Further I think that at the moment if someone is to be blamed it is 
Bookshare as they do allow downloads from the website, but don't implement 
the share function in their Reader app which would make importing into any 
app a piece of cake. No need for any app in this world to write the support 
for Bookshare as every app would support Bookshare.
On Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at 10:21:59 PM UTC+1 Richard Turner wrote:

> I just downloaded it to try and immediately found out that to install 
> books from bookshare you have to download the DAISY file and import it 
> because the developer decided that customers could download the ten books 
> per month that way rather than him having to take the time to program for 
> their interface ... 
> BTW, did you try the update to VDR today to see if it fixed your download 
> issue? 
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
> On Jan 31, 2024, at 12:47 PM, Mary Otten  wrote:
>
> 
>
> I just saw this on Apple viz.. Has anyone actually used this app? I had it 
> on android and frankly couldn’t figure out how to use it or what it would 
> be good for. But I’m not God’s gift to android that’s for sure. So I want 
> to know if there are voice dream users out there using iPhones who have use 
> this app. I’m not interested in hearing from the developer. I already saw 
> his propaganda. I want real world users commenting. Thanks.
> The next generation of Speech Central has been launched
> AppleVis | Empowering blind and low-vision users of Apple products 
> ...  /  Labsii
>
> Forum
> iOS and iPadOS
>
> As the app was in the beta testing for more than two months some people 
> may already know what the new version is about.
>
> But during the beta period features were not publicly announced, that has 
> happened for the first time just few days ago on the App Store.
>
> This isn't just another update. It isn't even another big update. And it 
> is hard to provide the comparison, but if you take any of the competing 
> apps and their cumulative updates in the last 5 years the shear size 
> doesn't even come close to this.
>
> The full list improvements would require more than 1000 lines of text to 
> tell. If we talk about new features, that would be still in hundreds of 
> lines. Even major features are well above dozen of bullet lines.
>
> So I would like to focus on just one thing that reveals all the magic 
> behind the effort - the new Emulate book narration mode. This feature 
> brings quite a bit of the soul to robotic voices. Check this benchmark 
> using the Apple's Ava Premium voice on the same text in Speech Central and 
> Voice Dream: https://youtu.be/lCbr8HqXUCc
>
> Also you can check the same for Microsoft Ema voice in Speech Central and 
> NaturalReader: https://youtu.be/HRiDafir-NY
>
> Regarding the other features I'll just use the same list as I have used in 
> the App Store:
> - Design overhaul that maximises the space for the text on iPhone and adds 
> sidebar functionality to the iPad
> - Multiwindow/multidocument support on the iPad
> - Instant mode for quick and simple reading
> - Music Intermezzo - inject Apple Music into your listening
> - Improved accessibility
> - Improved sync - more comprehensive, robust and performant
> - Numerous new settings options
> - Siri voice command to start playing now works even behind the lock screen
>
> As the app is free when used with VoiceOver, the best thing is to try it 
> yourself: 
> https://apps.apple.com/us/app/speech-central-ai-voice-reader/id1127349155
>
>
> Original Article: 
> https://www.applevis.com/forum/ios-ipados/next-generation-speech-central-has-been-launched
>
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> -- 
> The following information is important for all members of the V iPhone 
> list.
>  
> If you have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or 
> if you feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the 
> owners or moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself.
>  
> Your V iPh

Re: The next generation of Speech Central has been launched

[Mary Otten]

I have downloaded the update, but I have not yet downloaded any more books. I downloaded several recently, and after a lot of missing around and reporting to the developers, they all loaded. I still don’t know why, but now I have all these books and a couple of them I need to get read by the weekend for stuff. But I’m definitely going to try it. If it works, awesome. I am not at all excited about having to go through a big process to get books share books into an app. Thumbs down. Unless Voice Dream just turns into an absolute piece of junk, I’ll deal with it rather than have to deal with a convoluted process for just accessing books. In my opinion, that was not a good decision the developer of this app speech Central made. Sent from my iPhoneOn Jan 31, 2024, at 1:21 PM, Richard Turner  wrote:I just downloaded it to try and immediately found out that to install books from bookshare you have to download the DAISY file and import it because the developer decided that customers could download the ten books per month that way rather than him having to take the time to program for their interface ... BTW, did you try the update to VDR today to see if it fixed your download issue? Sent from my iPadOn Jan 31, 2024, at 12:47 PM, Mary Otten  wrote:I just saw this on Apple viz.. Has anyone actually used this app? I had it on android and frankly couldn’t figure out how to use it or what it would be good for. But I’m not God’s gift to android that’s for sure. So I want to know if there are voice dream users out there using iPhones who have use this app. I’m not interested in hearing from the developer. I already saw his propaganda. I want real world users commenting. Thanks.The next generation of Speech Central has been launchedAppleVis | Empowering blind and low-vision users of Apple products ...  /  Labsii




Forum
iOS and iPadOS


As the app was in the beta testing for more than two months some people may already know what the new version is about.
But during the beta period features were not publicly announced, that has happened for the first time just few days ago on the App Store.
This isn't just another update. It isn't even another big update. And it is hard to provide the comparison, but if you take any of the competing apps and their cumulative updates in the last 5 years the shear size doesn't even come close to this.
The full list improvements would require more than 1000 lines of text to tell. If we talk about new features, that would be still in hundreds of lines. Even major features are well above dozen of bullet lines.
So I would like to focus on just one thing that reveals all the magic behind the effort - the new Emulate book narration mode. This feature brings quite a bit of the soul to robotic voices. Check this benchmark using the Apple's Ava Premium voice on the same text in Speech Central and Voice Dream: https://youtu.be/lCbr8HqXUCc
Also you can check the same for Microsoft Ema voice in Speech Central and NaturalReader: https://youtu.be/HRiDafir-NY
Regarding the other features I'll just use the same list as I have used in the App Store:
- Design overhaul that maximises the space for the text on iPhone and adds sidebar functionality to the iPad
- Multiwindow/multidocument support on the iPad
- Instant mode for quick and simple reading
- Music Intermezzo - inject Apple Music into your listening
- Improved accessibility
- Improved sync - more comprehensive, robust and performant
- Numerous new settings options
- Siri voice command to start playing now works even behind the lock screen
As the app is free when used with VoiceOver, the best thing is to try it yourself: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/speech-central-ai-voice-reader/id1127349155







Original Article: https://www.applevis.com/forum/ios-ipados/next-generation-speech-central-has-been-launchedSent from my iPhone



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Re: The next generation of Speech Central has been launched

[Richard Turner]

I just downloaded it to try and immediately found out that to install books from bookshare you have to download the DAISY file and import it because the developer decided that customers could download the ten books per month that way rather than him having to take the time to program for their interface ... BTW, did you try the update to VDR today to see if it fixed your download issue? Sent from my iPadOn Jan 31, 2024, at 12:47 PM, Mary Otten  wrote:I just saw this on Apple viz.. Has anyone actually used this app? I had it on android and frankly couldn’t figure out how to use it or what it would be good for. But I’m not God’s gift to android that’s for sure. So I want to know if there are voice dream users out there using iPhones who have use this app. I’m not interested in hearing from the developer. I already saw his propaganda. I want real world users commenting. Thanks.The next generation of Speech Central has been launchedAppleVis | Empowering blind and low-vision users of Apple products ...  /  Labsii




Forum
iOS and iPadOS


As the app was in the beta testing for more than two months some people may already know what the new version is about.
But during the beta period features were not publicly announced, that has happened for the first time just few days ago on the App Store.
This isn't just another update. It isn't even another big update. And it is hard to provide the comparison, but if you take any of the competing apps and their cumulative updates in the last 5 years the shear size doesn't even come close to this.
The full list improvements would require more than 1000 lines of text to tell. If we talk about new features, that would be still in hundreds of lines. Even major features are well above dozen of bullet lines.
So I would like to focus on just one thing that reveals all the magic behind the effort - the new Emulate book narration mode. This feature brings quite a bit of the soul to robotic voices. Check this benchmark using the Apple's Ava Premium voice on the same text in Speech Central and Voice Dream: https://youtu.be/lCbr8HqXUCc
Also you can check the same for Microsoft Ema voice in Speech Central and NaturalReader: https://youtu.be/HRiDafir-NY
Regarding the other features I'll just use the same list as I have used in the App Store:
- Design overhaul that maximises the space for the text on iPhone and adds sidebar functionality to the iPad
- Multiwindow/multidocument support on the iPad
- Instant mode for quick and simple reading
- Music Intermezzo - inject Apple Music into your listening
- Improved accessibility
- Improved sync - more comprehensive, robust and performant
- Numerous new settings options
- Siri voice command to start playing now works even behind the lock screen
As the app is free when used with VoiceOver, the best thing is to try it yourself: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/speech-central-ai-voice-reader/id1127349155







Original Article: https://www.applevis.com/forum/ios-ipados/next-generation-speech-central-has-been-launchedSent from my iPhone



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The following information is important for all members of the V iPhone list.
 
If you have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or if you feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the owners or moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself.
 
Your V iPhone list moderator is Mark Taylor.  Mark can be reached at:  mk...@ucla.edu.  Your list owner is Cara Quinn - you can reach Cara at caraqu...@caraquinn.com
 
The archives for this list can be searched at:
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The following information is important for all members of the V iPhone list.
 
If you have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or if you feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the owners or moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself.
 
Your V iPhone list moderator is Mark Taylor.  Mark can be reached at:  mk...@ucla.edu.  Your list owner is Cara Quinn - you can reach Cara at caraqu...@caraquinn.com
 
The archives for this list can be searched at:
http://www.mail-archive.com/viphone@googlegroups.com/
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