PlainTalk 1.5 released

Apple has released a new version of its popular PlainTalk speech software.

PlainTalk 1.5 is a group of Apple Speech technologies providing your Macintosh with speech recognition and speech synthesis capabilities. The complete package consists of:

• English Speech Recognition
• English Text-to-Speech
• Mexican Spanish Text-to-Speech

The PlainTalk Software components are available for free download at:

http://www.speech.apple.com/ptk/

or in a shrink-wrapped kit complete with PlainTalk microphone from SCET

About English Speech Recognition

Apple Speech Recognition lets your Macintosh understand what you say, giving you a new dimension for interacting with and controlling your computer by voice. You don't even have to train it to understand your voice, because it already understands you, from your very first word. You can speak naturally, without pausing or stopping, and even add your own words.

You can use Apple Speech Recognition to ask your computer "What time is it?" and hear if you're late for dinner. You can open your spreadsheet by saying "Open the February forecast." Or use voice command to control your starship in a game. The possibilities are limitless.

The English Speech Recognition installer includes some new speakable items and will run on all PowerPC based MacOS computers that support 16-bit sound input, including PowerBooks.

About English Text-to-Speech

English Text-to-Speech (also known as Speech Synthesis) converts text to spoken words. Just imagine having information on your Mac read to you over the phone... or this web page read aloud to you. Just click this line to find out how easy that can be.

Apple's English Text-to-Speech supports just about any Macintosh ever made, from the Macintosh Plus to the Power Macintosh.

English Text-to-Speech 1.5 also installs a new Speech control panel that includes a "Talking Alerts" option. Talking Alerts enables your Macintosh to speak the contents of alerts to you (e.g. "The printer is out of paper.")

About Mexican Spanish Text-to-Speech

Mexican Spanish Text-to-Speech offers all the features and advantages of English Text-to-Speech, but in Spanish. Improve your Spanish with applications incorporating this muy caliente technology!