Users of
mail.com, can now choose to have emails read aloud in 11 languages thanks to cutting-edge speech synthesis integrated directly within the webmail client. The new Audio Webmail option is offered on mail.com Beta, available to all users.
A real use for podcasting?
With the introduction of Audio Webmail, mail.com offers an integrated web-based service that employs sophisticated speech synthesis to read out loud the contents of email messages. The service also lets users generate 'podmail' at the click of a button, i.e. convert an entire email message to an audio file for easy transfer to personal devices such as portable media players. mail.com is the first web-based email provider to offer such a service.
The 11 languages, include UK and US English, German, Italian, French, Japanese, Spanish, Danish, Swedish, Portuguese, and Dutch, with additional languages planned. Mail.com claim that no downloads or software installs are required because the service works directly from the web browser and is therefore available on any computer, unlike add-on software for email clients.
The Audio Webmail feature is the result of a partnership between Outblaze, the global hosted email provider, and ReadSpeaker, the leader in speech- enabling the Web.
Jo-Anne Timothy, spokesperson for mail.com, said: "Audio Webmail is appealing because it allows users to have email read to them while focusing on something else. Additionally, the convenient 'podmail' capability allows you to catch up on the day's emails while exercising, commuting, or doing any other activity that requires you to be away from your computer."
ReadSpeaker representative Roy Lindemann noted: "We are very excited about the launch of our technology on mail.com and other email services powered by Outblaze. Providing easy-to-use and useful audio services for webmail users is another step in our goal to speech-enable the Web."
A bit of a novelty, but it could work now that broadband is becoming so common. And what about blind people, it could have great benefits there if set up correctly, perhaps displacing existing specialist software with something available wherever to go.
A word of caution though, "that no downloads or software installs are required" is a shaky claim. The server was too slow when I took a look, but I suspect an ActiveX, Java, or similar download is neccessary even if not formally identified as a "download".
Comments and feedback and corrections welcome.
