Animatronic Einstein Reads Practically Any English Text
Say it! Albert Genius HD - Talking Storyteller for iPad ($1.99) by knowtilus is a text-to-speech app that reads nearly any English language text aloud.
Albert Genius is easy to use. There are seven voice settings to choose from that range from the practical (American and British English) to the ridiculous (Monster, Robot, or Smurf English). Adjust the voice speed to change the rate of Albert Genius' speech from normal to very fast, very slow, or anything in between.
The app comes loaded with 10 Classic titles including Beauty and The Beast, The Story of Cinderella, and Little Red Riding Hood. To open a stored text touch "Load Text" then choose your text from the bottom of the screen.
Tap and hold the document icons to rearrange or delete them. The "email" button allows you to copy the document text into the body of an email.
Press "New Text" to create a new file, which is essential if you want to take full advantage of Albert Genius' abilities. Simply copy and paste the desired text into a new document, then tap the area at the top to name the file.
I uploaded two poems: the beginning of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales in Middle English, and Shakespeare's famous sonnet "My Mistress' Eyes Are Nothing Like the Sun."
Albert Genius isn't programmed to read the Chaucer properly, nor should it be expected to, but the app handled the sonnet with aplomb.
Albert Genius might be of use for users with impaired eyesight, but those users would still need help loading the texts.
I would not recommend it as a storytelling app for young children because it would be like having the GPS text-to-speech robot read to them. Even Albert Genius' normal speed, English or British voice still sounds robotic.
Users looking for a new tool that will help them memorize short texts, such as poems, speeches, or even wedding vows will, however, be pleased with the app's performance.
