TextAloud Text-to-Speech Conversion

 Download TextAloud Now
 Order TextAloud

Save $5 when you use coupon code TOPDRAWERDEALS

NextUp just released a new version of TextAloud, maintaining it's position as my personal favorite text-to-speech tool. The app enables your PC to read virtually any text on your PC using a selection of voices, including the phenomenal Natural Voices from AT&T Labs. Past users of TextAloud should immediately notice the interface is greatly improved, making text conversion more effective. In this latest version, TextAloud improves on the core functionality, adding direct support for reading PDF, Word, and HTML files in the application. A batch encoding tool automatically coverts text in files to audio tracks playable on a portable audio device or burnable to CD. The pronunciation tool offers more options, making the voices even better at handling complicated tech jargon and proper names. A proofread hotkey automatically reads back documents to you, helping reduce mistakes. You can still choose between immediate playback of information, or saving the spoken audio as WAV, MP3, or the more efficient WMA files to playback when you're offline. Instead of wasting precious time reading at your computer, TextAloud lets you catch up on all your important documents and e-mail while you commute, exercise, or clean house. Archive stories from your favorite news sites in MP3 format and play them back no your portable media player, iPod, Pocket PC, or Palm OS device. Using one of those FM transmitters, TextAloud effectively creates a custom version of the morning news on the drive to work. The TextAloud learning curve is minimal, with controls that work just like you'd expect a VCR or digital audio recorder to function.

TextAloud makes converting text files to audio insanely easy (I once converted a 200+ page book), but integration with the AT&T voices is what sold me. If you've ever tried using text-to-speech with some disappointment at the robotic voices, try the AT&T voices with TextAloud; they are stunningly good. Try out the included voices, then upgrade TextAloud with the Natural Voices, which are, in my opinion, the best text-to-speech voices available.

 Download TextAloud Now
 Order TextAloud

XP Visual Tools [1.65MB] Windows XP $9.85

Tweak the Windows XP interface on the cheap. Add a custom WinXP logon screen from a wide selection of options. Quickly add custom themes to all apps on the system. Create custom wallpapers and rotate them on a set schedule, ranging from every 5 minutes to every 10 hours, or change wallpapers each time you logon to the system. Apply XP visual styles to non-XP apps, giving a fresh face to old favorites. Add transparency to the Start Menu or the taskbar, making it easy to still see what's on the desktop. The trial version includes only one style pack, but registration provides access to the full list of Visual XP Styles, in addition to a free Bonus Style pack, with seasonal updates of styles often provided free to registered users. [Order XP Visual Tools now | Download a free trial]

Say The Time

Say the Time is an awesome replacement for the Windows system tray clock, making it easy to change the font and modify background colors. At prescribed intervals, the time is announced by one of two pleasant voices. Hovering over the clock causes a calendar to pop-up (a feature Microsoft should have included in Windows), including a list of upcoming reminders. For appointment conscious users, Say the Time offers advance warning for upcoming events by announcing the time, at the same time displaying a visual reminder similar to Outlook reminders, and optionally playing audio specific to the message or launching an application. One of the best uses I've found for Say the Time is launching audio files created using TextAloud containing a to-do list of things I need to remember. [Order Say The Time now | Download a free trial]

3DNA Desktop

The 3DNA Desktop is a 3D user interface that enhances and improves the way you work with Windows and the Web. 3DNA is not a replacement for Windows - it works seamlessly with your current set up, while giving you a much better way to use your computer.

Upgrade to the Premium version to:

• Disable advertising and use the posters for your own images
• Get twice as many browser, shortcut and picture panels
• Set scheduled updates for any browser panel for it to update automatically (ideal for sites that change frequently like news, weather, and Web cams).
• Dynamic skies that automatically change from day to night as the time changes
• Acess to exclusive Worlds

[Order 3DNA Desktop now | Download a free trial]