Authors Guild Silent Over iBooks Text-To-Speech

Last year we discussed news that the Authors Guild took issue with the Kindle's text-to-speech function, claiming it was illegal for the device to read their books aloud. Amazon disagreed, but said they were willing to disable the feature upon request from rightsholders. Now, jamie notes a recent article by David Pogue at the NY Times in which he points out that Apple's free iBooks app does the same thing, yet the Authors Guild has remained silent. Quoting: "... Now swipe down the page with two fingers to make the iPhone start reading the book to you, out loud, with a synthesized voice. It even turns the pages automatically and keeps going until you tap with two fingers to stop it. Yes, this is exactly the feature that debuted in the Amazon Kindle and was then removed when publishers screamed bloody murder. But somehow, so far, Apple has gotten away with it, maybe because nobody's even realized this feature is in there." That said, the feature was certainly noticed during the launch of the iPad, so perhaps the Authors Guild has other reasons for holding their peace.

Comments

so apple does not like blind people?

[Joe The Dragon]

so apple does not like blind people?

Re:so apple does not like blind people?

[bennomatic]

Actually, sighted, blind and deaf people can connect bluetooth keyboards to their iPhones now. Only dumb ones can't.

Re:so apple does not like blind people?

[purplepolecat]

So who thinks a _touchscreen_ is a decent choice for someone visually impaired? Something that relies on hand eye coordination, with no physical feedback?

I know I'm probably going to be proved wrong in a minute by the blind iPad fanbois.

lkdsrkjhskg! kflijaf fkjhskjh apple aj nnd kjhkdjsfg, rjj ok !

A hard choice for many Slashdotters:

[Kurofuneparry]

Hate on Apple for having the feature while Amazon can't/doesn't or hate on litigious media groups for selective lawsuits?

Two very touchy topics in the /. world!

Me? Oh, I don't discriminate.... I hate everyone! Then again... I'm an idiot ....

Re:A hard choice for many Slashdotters:

[Jarik C-Bol]

I may be the king of idiots, buy my kingdom is vast, and my subjects are everywhere.

Re:The Authors Guild has learned a lesson?

[RevWaldo]

It's more likely that there's something going on between the Guild and Apple.

Unlike Amazon, Apple stays out of the Guild's way. One Infinite Loop is crawling with Strangers. Who do you think arranged their contract with Foxconn? You think all those "suicides" were from worker stress? Keep dreaming. Guild work is clean, professional. It's surgical with them. In a way they're the only organization Steve Jobs still respects. And they don't get dames get in the way!

.

Re:What's the problem

[mapkinase]

It hurts them emotionally

Won't someone PLEASE think of the children!!

[sharkey]

My kindergartner is being exposed to this sort of copyright infringement EVERY DAY! Not only is there text-to-speech conversion at school (the teacher, who should be providing a better example) but they expect ME to convert text-to-speech at home and READ ALOUD to my kids! When will someone put a stop to this nefarious reading of books aloud?

Re:Speak & Spell

[kimvette]

Would you sit through a 3 hour movie where the main actor was a speak & spell?

Well, I have seen Keanu Reeves films. I think that's a fairly close comparison. ;)