Amazon Acquires Text-To-Speech Company, IVONA Software

[engine]

An interesting acquisition. Voice control for Kindle Fire becomes a competitor to Apple's Siri.

Amazon.com, Inc. today announced that it has acquired leading text-to-speech technology company IVONA Software. IVONA delivers world-class technologies that power the “Text-to-Speech,” “Voice Guide” and “Explore by Touch” features on Kindle Fire tablets. Additionally, IVONA delivers text-to-speech products and services for thousands of developers, businesses and customers around the world.

“IVONA’s exceptional text-to-speech technology leads the industry in natural voice quality, accuracy and ease of use. IVONA is already instrumental in helping us deliver excellent accessibility features on Kindle Fire, including Text-to-Speech, Voice Guide and Explore by Touch,” said Dave Limp, Vice President, Amazon Kindle. “The IVONA team shares our passion for innovation and customer obsession, and we look forward to building great products to deliver world-class voice solutions to customers around the world.” Amazon Acquires Text-To-Speech Company, IVONA Software [phx.corporate-ir.net]

[LifeinAsia]

So now (soon) you have Kindle read your kids to sleep?

[engine]

hehe, very good.

Do you think this will open the door for an Amazon phone? That way you can order your Amazon products on-the-move.

[LifeinAsia]

That way you can order your Amazon products on-the-move.

Or receiving text messages along the lines of, "Based on your recent phone conversation, Amazon recommends the following books for you..."

[bhonda]

Has this just killed the audio-book? Actually, thinking about it, it probably won't. If you were only interested in hearing a book read to you, why would you get a Kindle?

May make the production of audio-books cheaper, though.

[Rosalind]

If you were only interested in hearing a book read to you, why would you get a Kindle?

Some ereaders have audio capabilities already, like the Sony PRS-T1.