{"title":"Text to Speech","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpeechPath allows you to take phone calls by simply converting what the other person is saying to you, into text for you to read. Their words are immediately transcribed into text on your screen, then you can respond back to them verbally. Conversations remain between only two parties and are private and confidential as well as faster and more accurate. This makes what would be a tough, frustrating phone call, into an easy and convenient experience.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"nextup-talker-easy-communication-for-the-voice-impaired","title":"NextUp Talker","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNextUp Talker\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is a Text to Speech program specifically designed for people who have temporarily or permanently lost their voice. With natural, human-sounding voices and convenient short-cuts to quickly enter commonly used sentences and phrases, NextUp Talker allows you to overcome vocal impairment by communicating with others using a Windows PC or Tablet PC.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNextUp Talker - Easy Communication for the Voice Impaired\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNextUp Talker is a Text To Speech application specifically designed for people who have temporarily or permanently lost their voice. With natural, human sounding voices and convenient shortcuts to quickly enter commonly used sentences and phrases, NextUp Talker allows you to easily communicate with others despite vocal impairments using a Windows PC.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhether due to ALS, Cancer, Stroke, aphasia, or any of the other all too common problems causing loss of speech, NextUp Talker can help you regain an important part of your life by allowing you to \"talk\" with others.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpecifically designed for use in conversation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMore pleasant conversations using latest generation, high-quality, Natural sounding voices\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEasy use with either mouse or keyboard\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSmooth conversation flow with less delays due to typing by using predefined, often used phrases and user created abbreviations\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdapts to your style and speed with options to speak each word as typed, each sentence, each paragraph, or on demand\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAbility to insert actual sound files along with speech. These can help make kids more comfortable talking with an adult using a computer. Children's voices are also available optionally for purchase.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePredefined Phrases\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNextUp Talker lets you create an unlimited number of phrases you often use. These are arranged in a multi-level menu system. So, for example, you might have a menu of phrases you typically use with the telephone. You might have a phrases named \"Greeting\" that has the text\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\"Hi. This is John. I'm using a computer to talk with you, so please be patient as I type my responses. If you don't understand the voice or need me to repeat something, just let me know\".\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSo, when you answer the phone, you could access that phrase quickly and have it spoken without typing it. Phrases can also have parameters within them, for cases where you need to customize the phrase. For example, you may have a phrase named \"How Are You\" that has the text\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\"Hi %name%. How are you today\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhen you choose this phrase, NextUp Talker will prompt you for what you want to say for %name% then speak the phrase. So you access the \"How Are You\" phrase, NextUp Talker will popup a window asking you for the name, you type in \"Betty\", then NextUp Talker will speak \"Hi Betty, How are you?\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePredefined phrases can be quickly accessed during conversations by\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDouble-clicking the phrase on the left side of the program\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUsing shortcut key combinations you define\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrom a right-click popup menu in the typing area\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrom the Insert Menu\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAbbreviations and ShortHand\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNextUp Talker includes an Abbreviations and ShortHand editor to let you define short strings to represent longer phrases or sentences. So for example, if you frequently say something like \"Could you bring me something to drink please\", you could define an abbreviation of \"gdrink\" to be that full string. Then, when typing text into NextUp Talker, if you simply type \"gdrink\" the program will speak \"Could you bring me something to drink please?\". Over time as you get used to using the program, you'll develop your own version of shorthand that will speed up your typing.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInserting Sound Files\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNextUp Talker can also mix in actual sound files into speech. You can insert a link to a sound file using the insert menu. For some users who have warning before losing their voice, such as is the case often with surgery, you can use your computer to record various sound files saying things like \"I love you\", or answering the phone. These recordings can then be intermixed with text to speech. Another neat use is inserting sound effects. There are a huge number of free sound files on the internet. A common use for these might be to include some funny sound effects with your speech. This is especially helpful when speaking with children. The funny sounds often help children become more comfortable when talking with someone who has to use a computer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAccess for those with physical limitations\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEspecially for those with ALS who have lost their voice, they face the additional challenge of losing muscle control and having difficulty fully using a mouse and keyboard. We've attempted to design NextUp Talker to work well with either a mouse or keyboard, and hopefully work with \"virtual keyboards\". We haven't done a lot of testing in these areas yet, so we would appreciate any and all feedback to help us continue to improve.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNatural Sounding Voices\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA computer will never replace the voice you've lost. However, in recent years, computer voices have become more and more human like. Choosing one or more computer voices that you like and that you feel comfortable with is important. This will become YOUR voice to friends and family. We sell a variety of optional voices for use with NextUp Talker: \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"My wife lost her voice due to a stroke a while back. We've tried various products from other vendors, including a hardware solution for almost $5000, but nothing else came close for ease of use and price. NextUp Talker has really been a lifesaver for my wife as she can now participate in conversations and talk to her medical team without assistance.\" \u003cbr\u003e-\u003cstrong\u003e Ross - UK\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Special Needs Computers","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45065868968212,"sku":"NEXTUP-ACA","price":149.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0753\/1197\/2628\/products\/large_3742_NextUp_Talker.png?v=1762831390"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0753\/1197\/2628\/collections\/NexTalk-Logo_1.png?v=1719179740","url":"https:\/\/specialneedscomputers.ca\/fr\/collections\/text-to-speech.oembed","provider":"Special Needs Computer Solutions","version":"1.0","type":"link"}