Try the new Nora natural voice (Beta)

Bookshare now offers Nora, a friendly all purpose natural voice for read aloud in Bookshare Reader for Web and Bookshare Reader Mobile app. Natural voices sound more like a human narrator reading to you, with natural rhythm and feeling, that can make reading easier and more enjoyable. Nora is available to all Bookshare members.

For a limited time, we are offering a free preview of 4 additional voices on the Bookshare Reader Mobile app. Each voice may be good at different kinds of reading. Here are our suggestions:

• Sage, a warm voice for screen reader users
• Milo, a warm voice for novels and stories
• Cleo, an energetic voice for novels and stories
• Ami, a neutral voice for textbooks, math, and science

These voices will be available for preview in Bookshare Reader later this fall. Over time, we plan to refine the voices and add more voices options.

How to find Nora on Bookshare Reader for Web:

1. Open a book in the Bookshare Reader for Web.
2. Select the settings button (gear icon) in the top right corner of the reading screen.
3. In the settings panel, select Audio. Nora will be the default voice.
4. Any available system and browser voices will display below.
5. A checkmark will appear next to the voice you chose.

How to find Nora on Bookshare Reader Mobile App:

1. Open a book on the Bookshare Reader Mobile app.
2. Select the settings button (gear icon) in the top right corner of the screen.
3. In the settings panel, select Audio. Nora will be the default voice.
4. Select the voice currently shown to open the Voice Selection screen to access the additional AI voices under the Natural Voices (Beta) heading.
5. Select the play button next to any voice to hear a sample.
6. Select a voice. A checkmark will appear next to the voice you chose.

How to save a favorite voice

Select the Favorite button (star icon) to the left of the voice name to keep the voice handy. If you are using a screen reader it will confirm the selection, and the star icon fills in to show it’s favorited. Once favorited, the voice moves to your Favorites tab in the voice selection screen, making it easier to switch among your favorite voices.

Please Note:

• You need to be online. Reading with these voices requires an internet connection or cellular service.
• They’re new and still in a testing stage.