voice synthesis (3 products)

Key2Speak 2.1 (Shareware, $19.95)

One of the best writing tips you could ever receive is to have text read aloud to you. Hearing the written word is often more revealing than reading it on a computer screen. This program is a handy companion for whenever you're writing on the computer. It's a utility that uses speech synthesis technology to automatically read a selected piece of text. Key2Speak works with all Windows applications, including word processors, e-mail clients and instant messengers. The program operates "on-the-fly," offering immediate feedback as you're composing.The settings dialog allows you to configure the inputs that make your keyboard speak. For example, you can have it read text after periods, commas or question marks are typed. It can also wait until you've hit the return key, such as when you're finished writing a paragraph. By adjusting the program to your liking, it shouldn't interfere with your writing.Key2Speak can also automatically read copied text from the clipboard.

StocksAloud 1.50 (Shareware, $19.95)

StocksAloud is the great new talking program that helps you manage your investments and business interests by tracking companies for you. It let's you specify stock information to be read aloud for quick updates or full updates as well as listen to related news headlines. Stock prices, changes, and trading ranges are updated at specified intervals so you can check easy to read summaries, or relax and listen as StocksAloud reads them to you. For a really quick and more private update, just press your left mouse button for one second on the system tray icon and a convenient pop up window shows an instant summary of your portfolio while StocksAloud runs in the background. It's up to you to decide how and when you want your information, it can even be emailed to you if that's your preference. Choose automatic audio updates and you won't even have to open the program window. Get StocksAloud now for the power to track your investments and business interests right on your PC. Now offered with optional AT

WeatherAloud 1.50 (Shareware, $19.95)

WeatherAloud is the talking software for your PC that brings you the weather as you've never heard it before. It's like having a personal weatherman at your service. These days the weather means a lot more than just what's outside your door, so WeatherAloud brings you forecasts and conditions from over 7500 locations worldwide. Wake up to your local forecast, listen to hourly temperatures from your favorite vacation spot, or hear conditions where your distant loved ones are. With frequent updates, current temperature in your system tray and complete control over when and what you hear, WeatherAloud helps you stay on top of the weather in your world. Available with exciting premium voices from AT