Since "Text-to-Speech" speech synthesis first appeared on the Macintosh in 1984, Apple has continued to enhance the Mac's speech ability. Speech recognition was added to certain models in 1992 and has become a standard part of the PlainTalk software. With recent product announcements and releases, Apple seems committed to speech development. Related announcements and products are highlighted here and their links are checked at least once a week. Please report any problems.
Regular additions and revisions
News and Developments
11/25/96 Site News: The PlainTalk 1.5 "features" page has been added as a resource for anyone involved with PlainTalk. It attempts to relay the difficulties that PlainTalk 1.5 users are experiencing and reporting. The page will only be as useful as reader participation allows, so don't hesitate to comment.
Nov 14, 1996: Due to a recent rash of mail on the subject, mention of the Disabled-Talk mailing list is in order. This list is intended for disabled and handicapped people using Macintosh computers. Areas of focus include Plaintalk Speech Recognition, Text-To-Speech software and screen magnification.
Nov 13, 1996: Report of a possible PlainTalk 1.5 "feature" has arrived.
I have a Performa 6200 with 24 MB RAM running System 7.5.5. In Aug. of '95, PlainTalk 1.4 wouldn't work on the machine if Speech Recoginition was turned on. The result was all audio being "cut-off." No audio alerts would sound and basically all audio that originated from the computer itself was eliminated (all the while music CD's would still play normally). With the release of PlainTalk 1.4.1 (for the PB 5300's and suggested to be installed on machines like mine) this problem was solved for all 5xxx & 6xxx machines. Now apparently the same thing has happened again with PlainTalk 1.5. If I turn on Speech Recognition, all audio disappears. Turning off Speech Recognition brings back all audio. The Speech Manager extension & Voices operate normally with Speech Recognition turned off, but turn it on and Speech Manager goes dead with all the other sound.Is anyone having similar problems?
Nov 12, 1996: Corruption problems with Plaintalk 1.3 installers have been reported by several readers. I've summarized and passed the information along to Apple. Is there a "safe" copy anywhere?
Nov 11, 1996: The Macweek Insider column cites speech recognition as a technology with potential for mass appeal.
Nov 10, 1996: Plaintalk 1.5 has been officially released. The speech recognition installer includes some new speakable items and supposedly "works better than ever". Details from Apple Speech are limited, but that may change over the next few days.
Oct 8, 1996: A screen shot of the Plain Talk 1.5 Speech control panel is available at the bottom of Ethan Allen's Mac OS Rumors page.
Oct 2, 1996: Apple's "Looking Forward" outline mentions MacHeadroom, a speech toolkit that manages the synchronization of MacinTalk Pro synthesized speech with animations stored in QuickTime movies. By synchronizing lip animations using QuickTime and MacinTalk, the user can make characters talk simply by typing in text.
Sept 25, 1996: A Digital Equipment whitepaper outlines the speech recognition possiblities of the StrongARM chip. The chip is being used in Apple's upcoming Newtons.
Ric Ford's Macintouch page had the following anonymous report on the unannounced Newton MessagePad 150. It has since disappeared:
The basic design is similar to previous Newtons. The design is wider than tall (like the MP 130 with the screen rotated). The sides are both rounded like handles and the screen cover opens over the "top" of the 150 (sideways from the previous MP versions). The processor and clock speed are supposed to make the MP 150 the most powerful machine on the market as compared to both hand held devices and desktop machines. Handwriting recognition is almost instantanious, as is speech-to-text recognition.
9/11/96 Site News: The site is preparing for a return to full activity. All links on the Speech News pages have been verified or updated and a few new entries and updates to the Archive have been added. Also, prepare for info on speech enabled Newtons, Simon Fraser's speech driven newsreader, and a review of some nifty speech related software.
For additional information read the Old News. The entries date to Nov 28, 1995.
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