The main advantage of the Talklets is that there is no need to download it. It is the software as a service (SaaS) model for TTS. All is needed is to insert a few lines of code into the web pages they wish to voice enable to create the necessary links to Textic’s server platform, later on the selected text is converted into a streaming audio file. User can hear the text read to them by one of a number of predefined voices which closely approximate natural speech. There is no obligation to listen to everything but user can opt to have the selected text converted to an MP3 file which is then downloaded and saved for later use or transferred to, for example, an iPod or mobile phone.

CEO Paul Ayres, launcher of Netscape and RealNetworks in the European market. Commented, “The obvious use of the Talklets service is to satisfy increasingly stringent accessibility requirements which are mandated in legislation around the world. However, stopping there ignores the significant revenue generating opportunities available. Something like 80% of the data consumed on the Web is text and it’s only available now if you’re in front of a readable screen or if it’s printed. Talklets is designed to extract that text and deliver it in a form that meets the increasing demand for anytime, anywhere, any device access to information.

“Website owners need to start thinking how they can use Talklets to extract maximum value from the text based assets they have invested in. The combination of the software as a service model and natural speech means that services can be delivered effortlessly and be completely brand specific. There’s no reason why we couldn’t have Murray Walker voicing motor racing sites, David Frost reading news portals or Kate Moss reading fashion tips. The initial indications we have from our trials suggest that making text more flexible and accessible offers considerable long term benefits by attracting new audiences, increasing engagement and extending user ‘stickiness’.”

Voices of the new service varies from male and female voices in major languages including English (UK & US), French, Dutch, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Polish, Greek and Welsh.