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Resolved Question

Android's text to speech program?

Aug 13, 2012 12:36PM PDT

I was impressed with the Kindle Fire's text to speech ability that renders nearly any book as an audiobook.

Now I've been told that's more a function of Android's OS, and many apps with Android could do it. Since I'm tablet shopping, I gotta know.

What app or apps of Android's is responsible for the text to speech? What would I need to download?

What is the lowest version of Android that has this feature?

Discussion is locked

DoctorOHM has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

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TTS
Sep 4, 2012 12:01PM PDT

I am using Android 4.0.4, and after not having downloaded anything pertaining to TTS, I am presented with two options when I go to use this functionality. There is the Google version, which is built into the OS, and there is the Samsung version. So, potentially, you have at least two options right out of the box, and at least one. As for the version, you shouldn't have a problem with that since TTS has been around for a few years now.

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Answer
Bueller
Aug 30, 2012 11:11AM PDT

..Anybody know?

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I really don't know. Why?
Aug 31, 2012 4:08AM PDT

Because I'm seeing this "all over the map" with no single solution. Part of Android's strength as well as some take as a weakness is that you are not always locked into a single app.

This is why you shop till you drop and compare tablets until you tire of the searching.

Your example of the Kindle Fire is a good example of the walled garden. Amazon is able to keep a little control over that tablet so the results are a little more predictable.

Have you ever heard the term "walled garden"?
Bob