I agree completely. I've noticed Samantha popping up in car comercials where they are advertising the voice controlled music system and bluetooth syncing for cell phones. She is the voice of this voice guided system. On Apr 23, 2010, at 9:13 PM, Bryan Smart wrote:
> Samantha sounds completely emotionless to me. I know that synthesizer > intonation only approximates the change in pitch that happens as a person > reads, but Samantha has one of the worst intonation models that I've ever > heard. No matter if she is pausing at the end of a clause, making a > statement, asking a question, or speaking with exclamation, she always speaks > the same way. She starts high, slowly starts to drop in pitch, and has an > abrupt drop when she reaches the end of a sentence or a clause boundary. All > other modern synths, from Alex, to the old Macintalk voices, to DECtalk, to > Eloquence, and even junk stuff like ESpeak can use intonation that changes a > little depending on what it is reading. Samantha sounds completely flat and > detached. Add to that she sounds like an annoyed person that smokes heavily, > and I think she's a crap voice. It really bugs me that she is becoming the > default voice for so many blind-people devices. If we had to use a Scansoft > voice, Tom would be better. At least Tom modulates. A synthetic voice would > be more expressive. > > Bryan > > -----Original Message----- > From: [email protected] > [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Nicolai Svendsen > Sent: Friday, April 23, 2010 5:41 AM > To: [email protected] > Subject: Re: Where Is Samantha, on the Mac? > > Hi, > > I find Samantha a lot nicer on a computer than the iPhone. THis is in part > because of the quality, but I for some reason find her a much harsher > assistant on the iPhone than I do on a computer. > > Regards, > Nic > Mobile Me: [email protected] > Skype: Kvalme > MSN Messenger: [email protected] > AIM: cincinster > yahoo Messenger: cin368 > Facebook Profile > My Twitter > > On Apr 23, 2010, at 10:33 AM, Simon Fogarty wrote: > >> Hell I thought she was one of the better quality voices out there. >> >> >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: [email protected] >> [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Nicolai Svendsen >> Sent: Wednesday, 21 April 2010 8:30 p.m. >> To: [email protected] >> Subject: Re: Where Is Samantha, on the Mac? >> >> Hi, >> >> Samantha is a SAPI voice, made by Scansoft, and referred to Vocalizer >> on any mobile platform from Nuance. It is the voice of the iThingies >> though, but I find her harsh to listen to. >> >> Regards, >> Nic >> Mobile Me: [email protected] >> Skype: Kvalme >> MSN Messenger: [email protected] >> AIM: cincinster >> yahoo Messenger: cin368 >> Facebook Profile >> My Twitter >> >> On Apr 21, 2010, at 8:34 AM, M. Taylor wrote: >> >>> Thank you for your response. >>> >>> But how can this be? Is she not the beloved voice of the iPhone, >>> iPod Touch, and iPad? >>> >>> Perhaps I refer to her by the wrong name? >>> >>> Mark >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> Get to know yourself as you get to know me on The Secret Life of Mark >> Marcus >>> Live Talk Show >>> http://candleshore.com/secrets >>> -----Original Message----- >>> From: [email protected] >>> [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of gkearney >>> Sent: Tuesday, April 20, 2010 11:12 PM >>> To: MacVisionaries >>> Subject: Re: Where Is Samantha, on the Mac? >>> >>> I fear you shall not find symmetry in your world...Samantha is a >>> Microsoft Windows SAPI voice and is not an option for Macintosh users. >>> >>> Gregory Kearney >>> Manager Accessible Media >>> Association for the Blind of Western Australia >>> 61 Kitchener Ave >>> Victoria Park, WA 6100' >>> AUSTRALIA >>> +61 08 9311 8246 >>> >>> On Apr 21, 9:20 am, "M. Taylor" <[email protected]> wrote: >>>> Hello Everyone, >>>> >>>> Call me slow but I only just now realized that my beloved Samantha >>>> is not >>> on >>>> my Mac. All I have, of any quality anyway, is Alex. >>>> >>>> Where is she? Please tell me that I can download her to my Mac so I >>>> can achieve perfect symmetry in my world. (Smile) >>>> >>>> Mark** >>>> >>>> ANNOUNCING THE SECRET LIFE OF MARK MARCUS LIVE CALL-IN TALK SHOW!!! >>>> In each episode, join Mark, along with invited guests, as he >>>> explores the world in which we live and the world which lives within >>>> us. As you >> listen >>>> or participate in a family-friendly, no-holds-barred discussion, you >>>> will find yourself being drawn deeper and deeper into the mystery, >>>> majesty, >> and >>>> wonder that is The Secret Life of Mark Marcus. >>>> >>>> You can listen and participate via telephone, an Internet-enabled >>> computer, >>>> or Smartphone application. No need to sign up on a website or be >> required >>>> to enter any pin codes. Just join in and let your voice be heard >>>> around >>> the >>>> world. To listen or participate via phone just dial (724-898-1193 >>>> during the show's scheduled time. That's all there is to it. >>>> >>>> Sign Up To Receive Text-Message Alerts When The Show Is Live!! >>>> >>>> Can't listen live? No problem, download/listen to past episodes on >>> demand, >>>> at your convenience. For more information including an audio PROMO >>>> for >>> the >>>> next scheduled episode, show times, the ability to listen or >>>> participate >>> via >>>> computer and more, go to:http://candleshore.com/secrets Let's Make A >>>> Joyful Noise, Together!!! >>>> >>>> "Express yourself completely, then keep quiet." >>>> "He who stands on tiptoe doesn't stand firm. She who rushes ahead >> doesn't >>>> go far. He who tries to shine dims his own light. She who defines >>> herself >>>> can't know who she really is. He who has power over others can't >>>> empower himself. She who clings to her work will create nothing that >>>> endures." >>>> (Lao Tzu) >>>> >>>> For infinite knowledge, go to: >>>> candleshoreblog.com >>>> >>>> -- >>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>> Groups >>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>>> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>> [email protected]. >>>> For more options, visit this group >>> athttp://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >>> >>> -- >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>> Groups "MacVisionaries" group. >>> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>> [email protected]. >>> For more options, visit this group at >>> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >>> >>> >>> -- >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>> Groups >> "MacVisionaries" group. >>> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> [email protected]. >>> For more options, visit this group at >> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >>> >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >> Groups "MacVisionaries" group. >> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> [email protected]. >> For more options, visit this group at >> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "MacVisionaries" group. >> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> [email protected]. >> For more options, visit this group at >> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >> > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "MacVisionaries" group. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > [email protected]. > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "MacVisionaries" group. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > [email protected]. > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MacVisionaries" group. 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