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CLEMMONS, NC - North Carolina resident Rick Regan is a busy executive who sells LED lighting systems throughout the southeastern U.S., and he fills the miles of those long commutes by listening to spoken audio files of his favorite books, articles, and learning materials. To create those MP3 files, Regan turns to TextAloud 3, the Text to Speech software that transforms almost any text into surprisingly natural, enjoyable-sounding computer speech.

The latest release of the popular software from NextUp.com, TextAloud 3 enables users to export almost any desired text into spoken audio or MP3 files for listening either on the PC -- or on the go. TextAloud's audio files can be listened to on iPods (R), iPhones (R), assorted MP3 players, PDAs, and more. Regan, for instance, listens using an Asus Laptop, as well as a JVC in-car radio with MP3 and USB sockets, using a USB memory stick for instant portability.

TextAloud's most important function for Regan is its simple and quick production of audio files that he can listen to in the car. "TextAloud has opened up time in the car that is often otherwise wasted," he says. "I drive all over the Southeast, and quality content is a very high priority for me. On a professional level, I try to keep up with emerging trends and company news by clipping articles from industry-specific sources, like LED Insider and Info Week, which do not have podcasts, but which do have web-accessible material. By spending a little time clipping articles, columns, press releases and news reports, using TextAloud to transform them into audio files, I can stay abreast of the trends in my industry." Regan often mixes this content with related podcasts as well, and by working this way, TextAloud enables him to produce content that is better and more interesting than what is available via radio or satellite, and that can be easily listened to on his car stereo while driving.

Regan has also found other uses for TextAloud while on the road, turning to the software for learning and education as well. "Over the last 5 years, I have listened to many of the 'Great Courses' audio programs from The Teaching Company," he comments. "Interestingly, TextAloud has also enabled me to insert additional and related content to the course material from other sources."

TextAloud has also helped Regan to travel lighter, as he no longer requires a stack of materials or other media to take on the road. "One of my favorite features is that I don't have to carry anymore tapes, CDs or papers when I travel," he comments. "Now, when I'm done with an article, I just delete it."

Like many others, Regan also utilizes TextAloud in conjunction with Project Gutenberg text files, which has allowed him to discover "many texts which I might never have read, such as early travel books, ancient mythologies, many plays, biographies, novels, and more," he adds. Regan encourages others to explore the web in similar ways, especially its rich, highly accessible content on a multitude of specialized topics. "Using TextAloud to do so brings those authors' voices to you in a convenient and inexpensive way."

One key element of TextAloud's ease and usefulness is the software's wide assortment of available premium voices, with Regan's favorites including the AT&T Natural Voices (TM) selections Crystal, Mike, and Audrey. "They sound the smoothest and easiest to me, and being able to hear the text in your preferred voice (or voices) is central to the satisfaction of the experience," he comments. "For myself, I cannot imagine life without Audrey!" Regan has even found the software and its voices useful for his latest hobby, in writing dramatic plays. "TextAloud has allowed me to 'hear' a play during re-writes without the need for actors and a location for a reading," he comments. "It's hugely helpful to get the flow of the dialogue."

As a longtime user of TextAloud for years now, Regan is pleased with the software's evolution and new features in its latest release of TextAloud 3. "Over the various versions, I have been impressed with the focus on bug-free, malware-free, rock-solid programs," he comments. "The controls have gotten easier and more functional, while the software remains reasonably priced." Most of all, however, Regan appreciates the world of education, entertainment, and information TextAloud has brought him. "The ability to bring specialized, technical, popular and esoteric content into a convenient and mobile platform has been a powerful tool," he comments, "and one that has enabled me to stay educated and informed."

About TextAloud
TextAloud has been featured in The New York Times, PC Magazine, Writer's Digest, on CNN, and more. Hailed by critics and users alike, TextAloud is priced at just $29.95, and is compatible with systems using Windows (R) 98, NT, 2000, XP and VISTA. The program is available for fast, safe and secure purchase via /purchase.html.

NextUp.com also offers TextAloud with optional premium voices from AT&T Natural Voices™, Nuance®, Acapela® and Cepstral® for the most natural-sounding computer speech anywhere. Available languages include U.S. English, U.K. English, Indian Accent English, Scottish Accent English, Arabic, Cantonese Chinese, Mandarin Chinese, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Belgian Dutch, Faroese, Finnish, French, Canadian French, German, Greek, Icelandic, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Brazilian Portuguese, European Portuguese, Russian, Castilian (European) Spanish, Latin American Spanish, Mexican Spanish, Swedish, and Turkish.

About NextUp.com
NextUp.com, a division of NextUp Technologies, LLC, provides award-winning Text to Speech software for consumers, business customers, educators, and those with visual or vocal impairment, or learning disabilities.

In addition to TextAloud, NextUp.com markets other innovative Windows software designed to save time and deliver vital information. NextUp Talker is an easy and affordable program that allows people who have lost their voices to use the latest in high-quality computer voices to communicate with others.

Note to Editors:

Evaluation copies of TextAloud are currently available upon request. To receive a review copy, or for more information on NextUp.com or TextAloud, please contact publicist Angela Mitchell at (904) 982-8043.

All companies and products referenced in this press release are the trademarks of their respective owners.