“Kindle Audio Adapter Revives Text-to-Speech in the USA, Enhancing Accessibility”
Text-to-speech, the automatic reading aloud of displayed text using a computer-generated voice, is now only found on a few eBook readers. Typically, only somewhat exotic models with Android or non-mainstream devices—like those from PocketBook (Ultra, InkPad, etc.)—offer such a feature.
But it wasn’t always like this. Amazon used to offer TTS functionality, which was last available on the Kindle Touch about 5 years ago. After that, it was discontinued without replacement on Kindle models. The illuminated eReaders (Paperwhite, Voyage, Oasis) as well as the basic models have been released each generation without TTS.
Bundle offer quietly activated
This is now changing, albeit indirectly: Amazon has introduced the Kindle Audio Adapter, bringing text-to-speech functionality back to Kindle eBook readers.
Kindle Audio Adapter and Paperwhite are available in the US now as a bundle—at no extra cost. However, headphones must be purchased separately.
The device is a USB gadget that connects to the eReader’s micro-USB port. The relatively small adapter is fed with the display content and outputs it in audio format via a 3.5 mm headphone jack to headphones or speakers.
The power supply for the Kindle Audio Adapter is provided through the USB port. However, this significantly shortens the eReader’s battery life: the USB dongle can be used continuously for 6 hours. It seems that no external power source can be connected during this time—as no additional micro-USB port on the adapter is visible in the current product images. This means you must recharge the eReader separately before using the adapter for its full runtime.
How it works: The Kindle Audio Adapter connects to the eReader and can be used with headphones or speakers. Image source and copyright: Amazon.com
Accessibility with VoiceView in focus
There’s no doubt about Amazon’s target audience for this first bundle offer: The Kindle Paperwhite is now available in a “Blind and Visually Impaired” edition. Therefore, the Kindle Audio Adapter was developed for blind individuals and people with significant visual impairments.
This also means that the USB device does more than just read out eBook content; it also allows the Kindle to be operated. Amazon calls this system “VoiceView.”
Using gestures and touch control, the Kindle’s user interface can be explored point by point, making it easy to use. Volume, reaction speed, and reading speed (in eight levels) can also be adjusted to meet individual needs.
However, the system is also of interest as support for people with severe reading difficulties. Recently, Amazon has also integrated the OpenDyslexic font for selection, taking a step towards dyslexia.
TTS with Ivona Engine
The text-to-speech function is powered by Amazon’s in-house Ivona Engine, which delivers quite natural speech quality. In particular, English output sounds surprisingly natural. Speaking of which, the Kindle Audio Adapter is currently offered only in the USA.
While Amazon has indicated that the adapter can be used with more than just the Kindle Paperwhite but also other e-readers from the company, it’s unclear if the text conversion will be available in other languages. Although the Ivona Engine can be used in many different languages, Amazon only offered the TTS feature on the Kindle Touch available in Germany in English.
This might primarily have been due to licensing reasons. As Ansgar from E-Book-News notes, additional licenses are not needed for system-wide text conversion aimed at accessibility. It’s quite possible that the Kindle Audio Adapter will eventually become available in German.
Affordable price, more markets in sight
The cost for the text-to-speech device is quite modest at around 20 US dollars. This is unsurprising, as a Kindle eReader is necessary in any case. The adapter is likely being sold at cost.
Amazon is taking it a step further: the aforementioned Kindle Paperwhite bundle is being sold for a total of 140 US dollars, including a 20-dollar credit for the Amazon account. This results in no extra cost for buyers compared to the regular Paperwhite price for using a Kindle with accessibility.
Looking back: Amazon intended to break into the state education and library sector several years ago. However, plans developed in collaboration with the U.S. Department of State were shelved in 2012. Lack of accessibility and protests from the U.S. blind community were thought to be the reasons. Since 1986, state institutions in the USA have had to ensure accessibility when acquiring new IT devices.
Four years later, the situation might now change, with Kindle models possibly making their way into public service after all.
It will be interesting to see how the offer develops and what other plans Amazon has in store. Peter Korn, the manager responsible for accessibility at Amazon, mentions in a blog post that this is just the beginning.
Kindle Oasis update for TTS Bluetooth support?
It’s still uncertain what the deal is with the TTS function of the Kindle Oasis, which was already discussed before its release. As noted in the review, there’s a “voice” directory in the main memory of Amazon’s latest model, containing a 145 MB file named “vox_en_us_salli22i.”
Salli is the name of a female, English TTS voice from the Ivona Engine.
Text-to-speech voice on the Oasis, is there more to come?
According to documentation from the U.S. telecommunications authority, the Oasis apparently also features Bluetooth support. However, this isn’t used in the market-ready device.
The fact that Amazon is now launching a new TTS option and that this functionality might already be included on the Oasis could suggest that the eReader may be made accessible without the Kindle Audio Adapter through a future software update. This would have the added advantage of allowing the eReader to be charged via USB while using the TTS function.
