Hotmail
Authors irked by text-to-speech on Kindle 2
Guild worries the feature could undermine the market for audio books
Tech Holiday Gift Guide |
 Online holiday shopping is trickier this year For online holiday shopping this season, consider expanding your repertoire of retailers and bring your most comfy slippers. It’s going to be a more challenging effort this year than last . |
 | Tech and gadgets videos |
 TODAY 30 years later, Google search helps reunite pair Nov. 7: Dr. Scott Becker never gave up hope of finding his daughter, and after decades of searching, he found her using a very modern tool. NBC’s Ron Mott reports, then NBC’s Amy Robach sits down with the pair. |
 | Video |
 |
Auto Tech |
A better economy may lure buyers, but these trends could seal the deal. |
NEW YORK - The guild that represents authors is urging writers to be wary of a text-to-speech feature on Amazon.com Inc.'s updated Kindle electronic reading device.
In a memo sent to members Thursday, the guild says the Kindle 2's "Read to Me" feature "presents a significant challenge to the publishing industry."
The Kindle can read text in a somewhat stilted electronic voice. But the Authors Guild says the quality figures to "improve rapidly." And the guild worries that could undermine the market for audio books.
It is telling authors and publishers to consider asking Amazon to disable the audio function on e-books it licenses.
Amazon spokesman Drew Herdener said the company has the proper license for the text-to-speech function, which comes from Nuance Communications Inc.
- Discuss Story On Newsvine
-
Rate Story:
View popularLowHigh - Instant Message
MORE FROM TECH AND GADGETS |
 Tech and gadgets Section Front |
| Add Tech and gadgets headlines to your news reader: |
Resource guide