San Jose, California-based Fortress Systems Inc has launched a personal computer miniperipheral that it calls SounText, which it says can read computer text aloud in what it claims is natural-sounding speech in six languages: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Mandarin. Other languages will be available later. SounText consists of a small module, connected to a computer’s standard parallel port plus Windows software that requires 512Kb on the computer’s hard disk. It can be used with any iAPX-86 desktop or portable computer. The parallel port can still be used for a printer in pass-through mode. The SounText device can read individual letters, numbers, words, sentences and paragraphs when they are simply highlighted under mouse control and an icon for the appropriate language is clicked on. It will work with any Windows-type software, including Word for Windows, Wordperfect and Ami Pro as well as spreadsheet programs and other software. The company says installation takes a few minutes and that there is no complex set-up or instructions. It can operate from an internal 9V battery or a plug-in power adaptor, and includes an internal audio amplifier and volume control. Two versions are offered, one with an external speaker and one with an earphone. The SounText uses signal processing technology and operates by implementing complex instructions that analyse a language’s structure and spelling to assure excellent performance. The SounText computer voice is available now from dealers and is also available for OEM applications with other software and hardware products. No price given.
