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ReadSpeaker® webReader
ReadSpeaker® webReader™ (webReader for short) speech-enables the text content of
websites so that visitors can listen to the text.
Product Description
ReadSpeaker webReader displays a Listen button on the web pages of the customer’s
website. The customer decides on which web pages webReader should be implemented.
Example:
When a visitor to the customer’s website (“user”) clicks on the Listen button the
content of the web page is read out loud and a player is shown.
Example:
webReader reads the content out loud whilst highlighting the sentence and the word
currently being read in two different colors.
Using the buttons on the player, the user can stop the audio version of the
content, pause and restart it, forward to content further on the page, change the
volume, download an mp3 file with an audio version of the content, and close the
player (which stops the reading).
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Product Specification ReadSpeaker webReader 3.0.2, 26 January 2018
The expand button (down-arrow) on the Listen button and the player opens a
toolbar, with buttons for the following features:
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Settings - Allows the user to
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turn highlighting off or on,
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choose whether to highlight only words, only sentences, or both,
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choose the colors used for highlighting words and sentences and for the
text being highlighted,
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adjust the reading speed,
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determine text settings, i.e. font, font size, and colors for the text
when in simple view,
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determine whether the page should scroll automatically following the
audio version,
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and determine whether, when a section of the text on the web page is
selected, a separate Listen button will appear for reading only the selected
text.
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Reading Language - shows a list of licensed languages and voices to choose from
for reading the content on the web page
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Read on Hover - when activated, webReader starts reading a paragraph when you
hover over it
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Enlarge Text - shows and highlights the text being read aloud in a large font in a
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box at the bottom of the screen
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Simple View - shows a text-oriented version of the content using the text
settings (font, font size, and colors) of the user’s choice (see Settings above)
•
Page Mask - opens a reading tool that brings out a horizontal bar on the screen
by masking the rest of the screen above and below it. The user can move it down
along with the reading for better focus.
•
Translation - translates the selected text to the language the user selects from the
drop-down and allows the user to listen to the automated translation
•
Word Lookup - shows the dictionary entry for a selected word from an online
dictionary for the language currently selected as reading language
•
Help - provides clear instructions for all webReader features
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Product Specification ReadSpeaker webReader 3.0.2, 26 January 2018
When the toolbar is shown, the expand button (down-arrow) on the Listen button
and the player is replaced by a collapse button (up-arrow) with which to close the
toolbar.
The audio is generated using ReadSpeaker text-to-speech technology. The customer can
purchase licenses for one or multiple languages and for one or multiple voices in each
language.
webReader is a SAAS (Software As A Service) that can be made available to users by
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that should be speech-enabled.
Features
Text to Speech
webReader can read text out loud using state-of-the-art text to speech (TTS). For images
on web pages, webReader will read the title or alt text entered for the image.
webReader can read in 50+ languages. For a complete list of available languages go to
our languages web page.
Accessibility
The Listen button, the player, and the toolbar, and therefore webReader’s full
functionality, are fully keyboard accessible. webReader can be activated, i.e. focus can
be set on the player, with the access key “L”. Many of the webReader tools and features
also have a dedicated access key. Access keys are activated with modifier keys, which
differ depending on the browser and the operating system used. Inside the player, i.e.
when the user has set focus on the player, tab/shift+tab can be used to navigate and
the enter key to activate a certain button or option.
Floating Listen Button, Player and Toolbar
When a page is first opened, the Listen button, player, and toolbar, whether collapsed or
expanded, will show in the top left corner of the web page or another default position
determined by the customer. A different default position would be logical for right-to-
left languages such as Hebrew for instance.
Provided the user has had interaction with the Listen button, e.g. clicked it or opened
the toolbar, the Listen button, player, and toolbar will float to a different position
when
the user scrolls down on the page so as to remain visible. They will show
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Product Specification ReadSpeaker webReader 3.0.2, 26 January 2018
somewhere on the page and the user can move them to where it is most convenient in
relation to the
content shown on the page using the drag-icon shown above the
Listen button or player. The Listen button, player, and toolbar will only float, e.g. will
only show a drag- icon, when they would not be visible in the default position. They
will move back to the default position when the user scrolls back up. They will always
float to the position the user last dragged them to. It is possible to have multiple
listen-buttons on a page. A Listen button will then only float if the player is
expanded.
Synchronized Highlighting
Words and sentences are simultaneously highlighted as they are read.
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available.
The customer can choose a default for the website: highlight only words, only
sentences, or both, or turn highlighting off. The user can personalize these settings
provided the Settings button is enabled on the toolbar.
Help - User Support
The toolbar offers a help button. It opens a pop-up screen with clear instructions for all
webReader features.
Colors for Highlighting
A default combination of colors is provided for highlighting words (light blue) and
sentences (light green), and the highlighted text (black). The customer can choose
other default colors for the website. The user can personalize these colors provided
the Settings button is enabled on the toolbar. Eight colors are available as
background color for highlighting sentences and/or words. Underlining can be
chosen as an alternative. 6 colors are available for the highlighted text.
Customizable Text Settings
The text settings are the font, font size, and colors that will be used when
showing content in simple view (see below). The default text settings are black
text on white background in Open Sans font and normal font size.
The customer can choose other default text settings for the website. The user can
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Product Specification ReadSpeaker webReader 3.0.2, 26 January 2018
personalize the text settings provided the Settings button is enabled on the
toolbar. There are 12 color combinations available for the text and background, 6 font
sizes, and 6 fonts. The choices were ergonomically determined. The user’s settings are
saved and applied each time content is viewed in simple view but can be changed
again at any time. The setting for font size is also used when text is shown in pop-up
screens for the translation and word lookup features.
Reading Speed
The default reading speed (or speaking rate) is “normal”. The customer can choose a
different default reading speed for the website. The user can personalize the reading
speed from very slow to very fast on a sliding scale provided the Settings button is
enabled on the toolbar.
Reading Selected Text
If text is selected on the web page, only the selected text will be read out when the
Listen button is clicked, rather than the entire content of the page.
Pop-up Listen Button for Reading Selected Text
When text is selected a pop-up Listen button will show briefly near the cursor.
Clicking this Listen button (or the main Listen button) will result in the selected
text being read out. This allows for quick access to the reading function for selected
text. The customer can disable this feature for the website. The user can enable and
disable the feature provided the Settings button is enabled on the toolbar.
Read on Hover
Clicking the Read on Hover button on the toolbar enables or disables this feature. When
enabled a green dot is shown on the button.
If the Read on Hover feature is activated in the toolbar, webReader will start reading a
paragraph 3 seconds after the cursor points to it. This can help readers focus on the
content they want to listen to.
Automatic Scrolling
If automatic scrolling is activated in the user settings, the page will scroll automatically
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Product Specification ReadSpeaker webReader 3.0.2, 26 January 2018
so that the text being read will always be visible on screen. By default, automatic
scrolling is off. The user can enable and disable the feature provided the Settings
button is enabled on the toolbar.
Enlarge Text - for Enhanced Text Visibility
Clicking the Enlarge Text button on the toolbar enables or disables this feature. When
enabled a green dot is shown on the button.
When enabled this feature will show a box at the bottom of the screen where the
text will be shown sentence by sentence in a large font as it is read out, also
showing synchronized word highlighting.
Simple View - for Easy Reading
Web pages or selected text can be viewed in simple view in a separate pop-up screen.
When in simple view, a text-oriented version of the content is shown using the font,
font size, and colors determined by the user’s text settings, which can be
personalized provided the Settings button is enabled on the toolbar (see
Customizable text settings above).
When in simple view, webReader highlights the text in the simple view pop-up screen
during reading. Reading is started and stopped or paused from buttons at the top of
the simple view pop-up screen. The font size can also be changed directly from
within simple view.
Page Mask
Page Mask is a tool for reading support. When the page mask is activated from
the toolbar, one horizontal strip of the page will be bright, while the rest of the page
will be shaded. The user can move the bright bar along with the text as it is being
read, to help him focus on one or a few lines of text. The user can adjust the height of
the bar using the plus and minus buttons on the right end of the bar.
Downloadable Audio File
The user can download an mp3 file with an audio version of the content of the
current web page by clicking the download button in the player. The user is asked to
confirm that the audio file will be used for personal use only. The customer can
predefine a string of characters for each web page to be used as the filename when
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Product Specification ReadSpeaker webReader 3.0.2, 26 January 2018
the audio is downloaded.
The customer can disable this feature.
Customer-Defined Reading Area
For each web page, the customer can define which sections of the content should be
read.
Multiple Languages - Different Languages for Different Pages
Available if the customer has purchased a license for more than one language. For
each web page, the customer can define which language (and voice) should be used
.
Reading Multiple Languages – Automatic Language Switch
Available if the customer has purchased a license for more than one language.
webReader can automatically read different sections of a single web page in different
languages, provided the text is correctly marked up for each target language with
language tags according to the W3C standard. The automatic language switch does not
support all combinations of voices and languages.
Reading Multiple Languages – Manual Language Switch
Available if the customer has purchased a license for more than one language. The user
can select text on the page and use the Reading Language feature on the toolbar to
determine in which language the text must be read. This is practical when there are
multiple languages on the same page.
NB: if the user selects text and asks for it to be read in a language that does not match
the text, the reading will not sound correct.
Translation
The user can select text on the page (if in a language supported for translation) and
select a language to translate into from a drop-down list shown when the
Translation button is clicked on the toolbar. The translation is shown in a pop-up
screen with the font size determined in the text settings (see the user has selected
through the settings pop-up screen. Reading of the translated text in that
language can be started and stopped or paused from buttons at the top of the
pop-up screen. The font size can also be changed from within this pop-up screen
for easier reading. This feature is supported only for some languages. See the
requirements and limitations section below for which languages are currently
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Product Specification ReadSpeaker webReader 3.0.2, 26 January 2018
available to be translated from and into. For a complete and up-to-date list of
languages supported in the Translation tool go to our languages web page.
Word Lookup
Word Lookup is a tool for reading support. The user can select a word and click the
Word Lookup button on the toolbar. webReader will show the dictionary entry for
the selected word from an online dictionary for the language currently selected as
reading language in a pop-up screen with the font size the user has selected through
the settings pop-up screen.
This feature is supported only for some languages. See the requirements and
limitations section below for which languages are currently supported. For a
complete and up-to- date list of languages supported in the Word Lookup tool go to
our languages web page.
Multiple User Interface Languages
Several user interface (UI) languages are supported. The UI language can be determined
per web page if the customer has purchased a license for more than one language. Only
one UI language can be used per web page. The user cannot modify the UI language. At
present (Q4, 2017) the supported UI languages are Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Dutch,
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Spanish, Swedish. More languages will be added. For a complete and up-to-date list of
languages supported as UI language for webReader go to our languages web page.
Pronunciation Dictionaries
webReader can be customized to pronounce words or sequences of words in a
specific way to increase the quality of the reading. The linguists at ReadSpeaker can
correct mispronunciations in the dictionary for the language used upon request. If a
different pronunciation is website specific, it will be edited in the customer’s
personalized dictionary.
Access to Online Statistics
The customer has access to ReadSpeaker’s customer portal, which provides detailed
customer specific information about the usage of webReader, including how often
web pages have been listened to, and when.
Online access to FAQ, Instructions, and Troubleshooting
All information about the customer’s account, including user instructions for
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Product Specification ReadSpeaker webReader 3.0.2, 26 January 2018
webReader, answers to frequently asked questions, and other documentation, is
made available to the customer through the customer portal.
Technical Specifications
Device Independent
webReader is a device-independent and cross-platform solution. It should work with:
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all commonly used online devices: pc, laptop, Chromebook, tablet, smartphone,
and more
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all major operating systems: Windows, Chrome, Android, iOS, macOS, and more
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all major browsers:
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for laptops and PCs: IE7+, Edge, Chrome, Firefox and Safari
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for mobile devices: Safari and Chrome on iOS devices, Chrome on Android
devices, Chrome and Edge on Windows Phone
Fully Server-Based, No Software Downloads or Installation
Neither the customer nor the users need to download or install any software for
webReader to work on their computers and/or mobile devices. The customer does
not need to host webReader since it is cloud-based and hosted by ReadSpeaker.
Simple Implementation
webReader consists of two sections of HTML code. The first, to be inserted in the
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hosted by ReadSpeaker. The second, to be inserted in the <body> element of
web pages that should display webReader, ensures that the Listen button is shown
on the web page and determines where it is shown, contains a link to start the
application call when the Listen button is clicked and defines which section(s) of the
content on the web page must be read. Clear implementation instructions are
included and available to the customer through the customer portal.
Plugins for even simpler implementation into your system are available for a number of
CMSs. Please refer to our plugins web page.
Implementation Support
webReader includes implementation support by the ReadSpeaker support team,
who will assist the customer in understanding and carrying out the
implementation instructions provided by ReadSpeaker.
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Product Specification ReadSpeaker webReader 3.0.2, 26 January 2018
Product Hosting
webReader is hosted by ReadSpeaker in a high-security environment with a high level
of redundancy and failover and with the following properties:
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double redundant enterprise load balancing and failover
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100% Gigabit network (internally and to the Internet)
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IBM server hardware with virtualization engine
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redundant power supply
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highly scalable and high availability design
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environmentally friendly
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Storage Area Network (SAN) storage over Gigabit iScsi
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UPS and diesel engine power backup
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24/7 video and audio surveillance
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Level 3 security
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Argonite-based automatic fire-fighting system
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automatic server monitoring every 3 seconds with alarm system
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automatic daily backup
Customer Hosting
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the customer’s own web server.
Reads Web Pages over HTTPS
webReader can read web pages that are encrypted using SSL encryption.
Reads Static and Dynamic Text Content
webReader can read any clear text content as long as it is presented using standard
HTML technology regardless of how it is generated on the customer’s web server.
Streaming Audio
The audio containing the speech is streamed to the user from the hosting server. This
means that the audio will start to play before it has been fully generated. It also
means the length of the audio output cannot be determined in advance.
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Product Specification ReadSpeaker webReader 3.0.2, 26 January 2018
Audio Caching System
Audio from web pages that have been listened to using webReader are stored on
caching servers to maximize performance. If the content of the page has changed
since the cached audio file was created, the audio file will be automatically updated.
Cookie for User Settings
The settings the user selects through the settings pop-up screen are saved as a cookie,
so that webReader will have the same settings for that user, when using the service
again on the same device and in the same browser. The cookie can be changed to a
session cookie that only stores the user settings while the user stays on the website.
Graphical Design
The customer can change the appearance of the Listen button and player, including
colors, typeface, skins, tool tips, and button combinations, using CSS and an inline
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This feature is not supported by Internet Explorer 6. If this browser is used, the default
Listen button and player will be shown.
Configuration Settings
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turn off or change some of the features. Some examples of customer
modifiable settings are:
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Which buttons to activate/de-activate on the toolbar
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How long the settings cookie should survive on the user’s computer
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Default reading speed
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How long the pop-up Listen button is shown when text is selected (or
turn the feature off)
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Default for synchronous highlighting on/off
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Default for synchronous highlighting words only/sentences only/both
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Default for synchronous highlighting colors
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Labels that are used in the user interface, e.g. one could change the default
“Play” to “Start audio”
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Product Specification ReadSpeaker webReader 3.0.2, 26 January 2018
Modifiable Reading Limit
webReader has a default reading limit of 20,000 characters, excluding spaces. This
limit can be modified on a per customer basis.
Java Script Support
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open a new screen with a fully keyboard accessible audio player created with HTML
elements (i.e. not the ReadSpeaker player), which can be used to play the audio version
of the content of the web page or of the selected text.
Support for Flash or HTML5
If the customer uses a browser that supports neither Flash nor HTML5, clicking the
Listen button will create a file in MP3 format containing the audio version of the
content of the web page or of the selected text. The user can then listen to the audio
via a link to that audio file, or the file will be downloaded automatically and can be
listed to by opening the file, depending on the browser. In this case, synchronized
highlighting is not supported.
Translation Application
For the translation feature, webReader uses translation software powered by Google
Translate.
Word Lookup Application
For the word lookup feature, webReader uses different third-party dictionaries. For the
languages presently (Q4, 2017) supported for this feature webReader uses the online
Oxford dictionaries for English and Spanish and Wiktionary for the other supported
languages.
Product Components
SAAS Application
The core of webReader is the ReadSpeaker webReader SAAS (Software As A Service)
application, hosted by ReadSpeaker, and accessible to all users after successful
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Product Specification ReadSpeaker webReader 3.0.2, 26 January 2018
SAAS application, to be inserted in web pages that should display the Listen button.
Implementation Instructions
Clear implementation instructions and other documentation such as FAQ are
included and available to the customer through the ReadSpeaker customer portal.
Customer Portal
The Customer receives a username and password to login to the ReadSpeaker user
portal. Here, the customer can access account information, statistical information
about the use of webReader, implementation instructions, information on FAQs and
how to contact support in case of questions or problems.
Options
Options are features that can be added to webReader at a cost. Please contact your
Account Manager for pricing information.
Survey Function
A built-in survey function can let your users answer question(s). Survey results can be
sent to the users. Surveys are built on request by ReadSpeaker at standard
consultancy rate.
Customer-Editable Dictionary
From the customer portal the customer can edit a basic customer specific dictionary to
change the pronunciation of words by respelling those words.
Multiple Voices per Language
An add-on available for customers that have purchased licenses for multiple voices for a
language. The customer can determine which voice will be used per web page.
Custom Listen Button, Player and Toolbar
A custom Listen button, player, and toolbar can be obtained by request.
docReader Add-on
Customers who purchase webReader can also integrate ReadSpeaker docReader into
their website, so that online documents can also be speech-enabled. Please refer to
the product specification for ReadSpeaker docReader for further details.
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Product Specification ReadSpeaker webReader 3.0.2, 26 January 2018
Requirements and Limitations
Webpages
The content of web pages on which webReader must be implemented must be
presented using standard HTML technology and must be placed within an HTML
element that uses a uniquely identifiable id (or class) specified in the id (or class)
attribute.
Support for JavaScript and either HTML5 or Flash
The user must use a web browser with support for JavaScript as well as either HTML5 or
Flash to be able to enjoy the full functionality provided by webReader.
Reading Multiple Languages - Automatic Language Switch
Switching language within a page does not work with all available voices, so if the
customer wants to implement this feature, suitable voices must be chosen.
Translation Feature
This feature is supported only for some languages. For a complete and up-to-date list
of languages supported in the Translation tool go to our languages web page. For
the translation feature, webReader uses translation software powered by Google
Translate. Reasonable efforts are made to provide an accurate translation; however,
no automated translation is perfect nor is it intended to replace human translators.
Translations are provided as a service to the users and are provided "as is." No
warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy,
reliability, or correctness.
Word Lookup
This feature is supported only for some languages. For a complete and up-to-date list
of languages supported in the Word Lookup tool go to our languages web page. For
the Word Lookup, webReader uses different dictionary databases. No word lookup
tool is perfect nor is it intended to replace contextual definitions of words. The Word
Lookup tool is provided as a service to users of this website and is provided "as is." No
warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy,
reliability, or correctness.
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Product Specification ReadSpeaker webReader 3.0.2, 26 January 2018
webReader on Mobile Devices
The user interface on mobile devices with a touch screen is different from on laptops
and computers. Here are the differences:
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Rather than clicking the Listen button, the user will of course tap the Listen
button to start the reading.
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Rather than a player and a toolbar expanding separately from the Listen
button, a combined toolbar and player will appear in the lower right corner
of the screen.
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This combined toolbar and player can be collapsed and expanded by tapping
the
collapse/expand button.
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Not all features are available. Enlarged Text, Simple View, Translation, Pop-up
Listen button, and Help features are not available.
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The Reading Languages feature is found in the Settings pop-up screen rather
than on the combined toolbar and player.
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The Settings pop-up screen has fewer settings. Not included are the text
settings.
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The Read on Hover feature is replaced by the similar Point and Listen feature.
When the feature has been activated, the user can tap in a paragraph to start
the reading of that paragraph.
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The player in the combined toolbar and player has fewer options. Not included
are forwarding to content further on the page and volume control.
Intended Use
Customers may only use webReader, which is a licensed service for text to speech, in
accordance with this product specification. It may be used only to allow visitors to the
website(s) agreed upon in the order confirmation to listen to the content of those
websites, and only when the visitors activate the service with the Listen button
generated and displayed by webReader.
Any other use of webReader is not considered intended use.
Disclaimer
Features listed in this document are guaranteed only if webReader has been
implemented according to our implementation instructions. Specifications and
features as described in this product specification can be changed by the
manufacturer without prior notice.
