TMCnews Featured Article

Text-to-speech (TTS) is a type of speech synthesis application that is used to create a spoken sound version of a text in a computer document. TTS can enable the reading of computer display information for the visually challenged person, or can simply be used to augment the reading of a text message. These days, typical TTS applications include voice-enabled e-mail and spoken prompts in voice response systems.

Today, CereProc, a TTS provider, introduced CereVoice 3.0.4 – an updated version of its core speech engine that offers users additional platform compatibility for the latest releases of supported operating systems and an increase in system performance.

“The launch of CereVoice 3.0.4 is a great moment for us. It is the culmination of an extensive research and hard work by the team to ensure that what CereProc continues to offer the best TTS technology available,” said Chris Pidcock, chief voice engineer at CereProc, in a statement.

Created to enhance the user experience and expand CereProc’s reach in global markets, this new version features voices that are more natural, while also producing speech output in more languages and accents.

Launching right after the team’s presentation of research findings at InterSpeech 2012, the unveiling of this offering marks a significant stage in the development of CereProc’s operations and is an indication of the company’s position within the industry.  With a focus on improving performance, speed and stability of third party applications, CereProc identified areas that would benefit from enhancements in order to design solutions for applications operating on Windows OS or Apple (News - Alert) Mac OS X. Developments include better pronunciation of speech and homograph processing, text processing and Speech Synthesis Mark-up Language (SSML) support for Spanish language speech.

“This latest version of CereVoice is more sophisticated - we’ve improved pronunciation and the interpretation of homographs for example, and extended our language offering while concentrating on adapting our technology for use across multiple platforms, to support some of our multinational customers,” Pidcock added.

Ahead of its planned launch in October, CereProc has implemented changes to ensure its text-to-speech voices provide compatibility with Windows 8 by preparing its speech synthesis engine CereVoice 3.0.4 according to Microsoft (News - Alert) updates and guidelines.

Dr. Matthew Aylett, CTO of CereProc, said,  “With new devices and system updates from the likes of Apple, Microsoft and Raspberry Pi Foundation being introduced to the market at an ever increasing pace, it’s been fundamental for us to take a dynamic approach to design and development of CereVoice.”

Want to learn more about the latest in communications and technology? Then be sure to attend ITEXPO West 2012, taking place Oct. 2-5, in Austin, TX. Stay in touch with everything happening at ITEXPO (News - Alert). Follow us on Twitter.