Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Leading text-to-speech app is now free for the blind (self.Blind)
submitted by ivanicin
I am the developer of the app Speech Central, one of the leading text-to-speech apps in terms of features, user satisfaction, growth and overall usage. Starting from August 1st 2021 the app is completely free for the blind people without any hidden cost.
There is no trick, my revenues from other users are enough to support the ongoing development of the app and I have decided to help to those in need. I believe that the app meets or exceeds the features of other leading text-to-speech apps on the respective platforms, and I'll be glad to hear suggestions for the new features and improvements.
Those are links to get the app (the Pro mode will be activated if it detects that you use some assistive technology like VoiceOver):
iOS: $1
Android: $1
P.S. at the moment the app exists for the macOS too, but as it is a paid app it is not possible to detect whether the user uses some assistive technology before the purchase and as such it is technically impossible to make it free for the blind users only.
There is no trick, my revenues from other users are enough to support the ongoing development of the app and I have decided to help to those in need. I believe that the app meets or exceeds the features of other leading text-to-speech apps on the respective platforms, and I'll be glad to hear suggestions for the new features and improvements.
Those are links to get the app (the Pro mode will be activated if it detects that you use some assistive technology like VoiceOver):
iOS: $1
Android: $1
P.S. at the moment the app exists for the macOS too, but as it is a paid app it is not possible to detect whether the user uses some assistive technology before the purchase and as such it is technically impossible to make it free for the blind users only.
TwoSunsRise 3 points 1y ago
That's awesome! Thank you for doing that.
ivanicin [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Glad to hear you liked it.
BIIANSU 2 points 1y ago
This is amazing. Thank you so much for doing this.
BIIANSU 1 points 1y ago
I don't use an existing voiceover app. But, I use the triple tap accessibility magnification on my phone. Anyway you could get it to unlock pro by using that function?
ivanicin [OP] 1 points 1y ago
At the moment VoiceOver is available only. For this particular request I need to check if it is technically feasible. Also if can be too easily used to trick the app to activate the free mode I wouldn't be able to accept that.
SLJ7 2 points 1y ago
You may be better off allowing for people to request a free version. I for one would gladly pay you for a good app; I don't deserve it for free and I can afford it. Someone who lives off SSI but isn't quite blind enough to use VoiceOver should be able to benefit. Just a suggestion of course. I'm saving this and will check it out; I could always use more reading apps particularly for Windows.
ivanicin [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Thanks for your suggestions, new ideas are always welcome.
I have decided that it is better to have few hundred of dollars less a month and to help millions of people. I find it as a proper decision. Even if it was not from potential earnings but from my own money I would consider it as something proper as long as I can still have enough money to have a normal decent life.
I fully agree that other disabilities should be considered just it is important that there is a technical way to detect them and that this mechanism can't be misused to trick the app into the free mode in large scale (e.g. if someone decides to use VoiceOver just to get the app for free even though he is not blind I am fine with that as this is inconvenient enough that it can't happen at the large scale).
I have decided that it is better to have few hundred of dollars less a month and to help millions of people. I find it as a proper decision. Even if it was not from potential earnings but from my own money I would consider it as something proper as long as I can still have enough money to have a normal decent life.
I fully agree that other disabilities should be considered just it is important that there is a technical way to detect them and that this mechanism can't be misused to trick the app into the free mode in large scale (e.g. if someone decides to use VoiceOver just to get the app for free even though he is not blind I am fine with that as this is inconvenient enough that it can't happen at the large scale).
BIIANSU 1 points 1y ago
AHH, ok. That's a shame. Thanks anyway though!
[deleted] 2 points 1y ago
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Madasaturtle 2 points 1y ago
This is great, thank you so much.
However, how do i register it to myself without being charged then?
Although Im espacially interested in utilisiing the Windows app, Im already using the Voicedream app on ios, but would for sure want to try your app in there aswell.
However, how do i register it to myself without being charged then?
Although Im espacially interested in utilisiing the Windows app, Im already using the Voicedream app on ios, but would for sure want to try your app in there aswell.
ivanicin [OP] -1 points 1y ago
The app detects if you use some assistive technology like VoiceOver. If you do it will activate the Pro mode.
mantolwen 2 points 1y ago
So as a sighted person, if I just switched on talkback then it would give it me for free? Would it stay free if I then switched it off again? (Not gonna do this, I'm just a software tester who likes asking annoying questions)
ivanicin [OP] 3 points 1y ago
The app applies its restrictions whenever it is off and restrictions are lifted whenever it is on, so it won't stay completely free if you just try to trick it that way.
mantolwen 3 points 1y ago
Awesome to hear.
Madasaturtle 2 points 1y ago
Im using NVDA, but doesnt seem to recognise it just now. will give it another try.
ivanicin [OP] 2 points 1y ago
The app just won't ask you for any purchase if you use some assistive technology so you might not notice anything. I have tested with Narrator, but any other should work.
bright_side1977 1 points 1y ago
Thank you for this app. It can read text pictures! I recommended it to a friend that uses voice over and she loves it.
ikrami111 1 points 1y ago
wow! Thank you very much. I started using it and i amazed. This initiative is highly appreciated. I wish you all success in all your future endeavors.
rkingett 1 points 1y ago
That's great, but why isn't your code open source? :)
I'd love to see what other Blind and VI developers do with this.
I'd love to see what other Blind and VI developers do with this.
ivanicin [OP] 2 points 1y ago
This is not a hobby but a professional project. If you can find someone who can commit to sponsor my work for a long time I will be glad to open-source it, otherwise I need to keep it closed source in order to keep my revenues as a professional developer.
goldfingas 1 points 1y ago
As someone who’s been using screen readers since the 80s, I find it hard to believe this is one of the leading ones when I’ve never even heard of it. That slot is probably more reserved for jaws for windows, or job access with speech. Closely followed by NVDA, or non-visual desktop access. I must say you’ve got some pretty tough competition. Not to mention narrator that comes with windows by default.
ivanicin [OP] 2 points 1y ago
My app is not even in the same category with the apps that you have mentioned, their purpose and functions are completely different. In some cases you may use them as much less convenient substitutes for my app's use cases but I don't consider that as 'competition' that is more a workaround.
goldfingas 1 points 1y ago
And I didn’t even cover the Apple side if we’re talking about iOS and the Mac side of things, you may actually have a chance. But you definitely have some impressing to do with this community.
ivanicin [OP] 2 points 1y ago
Honestly I don't understand why are you so negative. You can see that it is already one of the most upvoted posts in this year in this community and you can't personally represent the community and make claims on large scale. Claiming that you don't like it is fine, claiming that no one likes it is not as it can be easily proved as very false.
DisastrousPepper7985 0 points 1y ago
You kick your original response off with a general statement about your experience with screen-reading software, implying that you believe you have a high-level of expertise in the area...and then go on to write two full paragraphs absolutely void of any and all substance in an attempt to talk sh*t about the software in question.
For the record, you didn't "cover" anything; in either the post I'm currently responding to, or the post above. In fact, from the posts you've written, it sounds like you haven't even tried that app! Maybe you did open it and give it a whirl - who knows? But the amount of time you spent smack-talking an easily accessible app designed to help handicapped people without giving a single compliment or helpful critique without even trying jt properly kinda kills the whole "expertise"-vibe you are seemingly trying to convey...
And HUGE props to the OP for this amazing labor of love! I support anyone who is striving to be the change they want to see in the world.
For the record, you didn't "cover" anything; in either the post I'm currently responding to, or the post above. In fact, from the posts you've written, it sounds like you haven't even tried that app! Maybe you did open it and give it a whirl - who knows? But the amount of time you spent smack-talking an easily accessible app designed to help handicapped people without giving a single compliment or helpful critique without even trying jt properly kinda kills the whole "expertise"-vibe you are seemingly trying to convey...
And HUGE props to the OP for this amazing labor of love! I support anyone who is striving to be the change they want to see in the world.
Otherwise-Anxiety175 1 points 1y ago
Amazing! I will try it
-shacklebolt- 1 points 1y ago
What features does this have that Voice Dream Reader does not?
ivanicin [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Speaking of major areas (going feature by feature would require quite lengthy analysis as each app has hundreds if not thousands of features) where Speech Central has a very clear lead, I would say that those are:
\- web content- more customization (but each app has lot of options and VDR may have its own unique customizations)
\- macOS app it can sync to via iCloud- as far as I have received opinions from VoiceOver users it has a more logical layout so I would say it has a better design
\- but take it with a grain of salt as VDR has received Apple Design Award so it could be that Apple knows better.
But most notably Voice Dream Reader is not accessible app while Speech Central is - to be accessible app needs to be also financially accessible and at 20$ VDR is not, while Speech Central is from now on free for the blind users.
\- web content- more customization (but each app has lot of options and VDR may have its own unique customizations)
\- macOS app it can sync to via iCloud- as far as I have received opinions from VoiceOver users it has a more logical layout so I would say it has a better design
\- but take it with a grain of salt as VDR has received Apple Design Award so it could be that Apple knows better.
But most notably Voice Dream Reader is not accessible app while Speech Central is - to be accessible app needs to be also financially accessible and at 20$ VDR is not, while Speech Central is from now on free for the blind users.
retrolental_morose 2 points 1y ago
I hate to come across grumpily, but your attitude of inaccessible being linked to price just says to me that you're assuming blind people can't hold paying work and have reasonable professional lives.
If you are a comfortable user of assistive technology already, one of the biggest reasons for something like VDR is to be able to buy extra voices at a reasonable price, or otherwise to listen to your device read uninterrupted, control via headset, whilst locked, with sleep timer etc.
If you are a comfortable user of assistive technology already, one of the biggest reasons for something like VDR is to be able to buy extra voices at a reasonable price, or otherwise to listen to your device read uninterrupted, control via headset, whilst locked, with sleep timer etc.
ivanicin [OP] 1 points 1y ago
For Safari, I'll give you reasons/features on why you should use Speech Central:
* Safari doesn't have a reader view for page that contain headlines
* You need to turn on the reader mode for every new web site that you visit
* If you open multiple articles from a single page going from one to another article requires several clicks and on Speech Central this happens automatically
* You may have 'Random voices (prefer high quality)' so that each new article is read with a new voice.
* You can quickly change between two customizable speeds
* You can navigate by sentence, paragraph, items, bookmarks, titles or skip back and forward 30 sec. You can completely navigate with headphones and its buttons which some people find as extremely accessible
* You can add notes
* If you are reading a web novel that is spread across 100 web pages a complete novel will appear as a single page automatically
This is just top of the head. At the end of the day it is now free and you can try it, that is always the best solution - it won't take more time and your impression will be much more correct than if you talk to me.
* Safari doesn't have a reader view for page that contain headlines
* You need to turn on the reader mode for every new web site that you visit
* If you open multiple articles from a single page going from one to another article requires several clicks and on Speech Central this happens automatically
* You may have 'Random voices (prefer high quality)' so that each new article is read with a new voice.
* You can quickly change between two customizable speeds
* You can navigate by sentence, paragraph, items, bookmarks, titles or skip back and forward 30 sec. You can completely navigate with headphones and its buttons which some people find as extremely accessible
* You can add notes
* If you are reading a web novel that is spread across 100 web pages a complete novel will appear as a single page automatically
This is just top of the head. At the end of the day it is now free and you can try it, that is always the best solution - it won't take more time and your impression will be much more correct than if you talk to me.
ivanicin [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Across the world many (non-blind) people buy phones that cost 100$ or less and yes those can't afford to buy software at 20$ (VDR exists on Android too though it has been sold to another company recently). Those people that buy iPhones can technically afford to pay 20$ again whether they are blind or not, but most people avoid that and call that price as something that is not affordable. I have heard and seen people using that phrase many times. Unfortunately blind people do earn on average significantly less and it is even more important to make essential tools for them affordable/free.
[deleted] 1 points 1y ago
[deleted]
serrebi 1 points 1y ago
Glad this is possible on iOS and windows.
retrolental_morose 1 points 1y ago
I've downloaded the iOS version and, thus far, all I'm getting is the ability to hear my ebooks in rather low quality builtin apple voices.
Am I missing something?
Am I missing something?
ivanicin [OP] 0 points 1y ago
I am not sure if you have installed the additional enhanced quality voices on your iPhone. Most people are satisfied with them and don't consider them as low-quality.
Other than that you are missing that this is not a voices app but rather the app that has thousands of features that makes those voices useful, accessible and productive.
If you are searching for voices of much higher quality you will have to look for subscription based apps that cost around 10$/month as just the cost of streaming those voices from the server is at that level when they are used extensively. Also at least as of now none of them has this high level of feature set.
Other than that you are missing that this is not a voices app but rather the app that has thousands of features that makes those voices useful, accessible and productive.
If you are searching for voices of much higher quality you will have to look for subscription based apps that cost around 10$/month as just the cost of streaming those voices from the server is at that level when they are used extensively. Also at least as of now none of them has this high level of feature set.
retrolental_morose 1 points 1y ago
I'm struggling to see the rationale to be honest. I have Voiceover to access web content. Safari has a reasonable Reader mode, and I can send to Pocket etc. reading ePub books (which are the majority of my library) works either in Books, Easy reader, Voice Dream and so on.
Without additional or different voices it just looks at the moment like a slightly more involved version of speak screen.
Without additional or different voices it just looks at the moment like a slightly more involved version of speak screen.
ivanicin [OP] 1 points 1y ago
I have explained below, so not to repeat myself. You have the right on your opinion, but I don't see why you fight so hard to persuade me and others that for 6 years of work I haven't built a single useful feature. Anyway the app is now completely free for this group and everyone can try and say if you are right or not. And you can read other comments to understand reaction of those people and also there are some great reactions here: $1
bradley22 1 points 1y ago
I prefer to read news on a webpage and don’t read stuff that much but it’s awesome that you’re doing this!
ivanicin [OP] 1 points 1y ago
The app is not just about news but also about books and text documents, not sure if you need it but in the case you need it you may want to try it again, just select 'Articles & Books' tab for that.
bradley22 0 points 1y ago
Thanks but I don’t need that feature either.
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