Narrator or other screenreaders as metro apps

Question

Windows8 provides a screenreader called Narrator. But Narrator is not a metro style app, it is a desktop app and as I understand it it won't work on Windows RT. Is there any plan for Microsoft to provide screenreaders that are native Windows RT apps? If so, will there be a speech API in Window RT so that third party TTS developers can develop text-to-speech applications to be used with the screenreader?

Answer 1

There is not a built in speech  API.  There are APIs available today (and used) that are web service based.  Sorry but we cannot comment on future plans that have not been discussede publically.

-Jeff

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Jeff Sanders (MSFT)

Answer 2

Hello, any news/update on this topic?

Answer 3

Same answer as before Paolo!

-Jeff

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Jeff Sanders (MSFT)

Answer 4

Hello, Since now Windows8 is released, I hope I can get an answer to my question, on whether Narrator is available on WindowsRT and, if yes, if it possible to add voices in WindowsRT so that they can be used by Narrator.

If this information is still undisclosed, is there any timetable on when the information could be made available`.

Answer 5

Hi Paolo,

The Windows Store apps Forums  are for discussing writing Windows Store apps.  For discussion about and Windows RT features and how to use them please post in the Windows RT forum on http://answers.microsoft.com .

That said: Narrator is available on Windows RT. I don't know about adding voices. If you post that question in an appropriate forum you'll be more likely to get a good answer.

As Jeff has already posted, there is no in-box Speech API for Windows Store apps.

--Rob

Answer 6

Thanks Rob, I'll give it a try.