NaturalReader Text-to-Speech Tool

NaturalReader is an AI-driven text-to-speech tool. While not as robust as a full-screen reader, it allows for audio narration of text-based documents and web pages. This guide covers basic features from the free version. Most of the advanced features require a monthly subscription.

Using the Web App

The web app for NaturalReader is available online; no installation is necessary.

1. Visit the NaturalReader web app in your web browser of choice.
2.  Familiarize yourself with the narration toolbar:
   
   • Use the Voices icon to swap which voice is used. Note that the application may default to a Pro or Plus voice, which requires a subscription. Under the Voices menu, go to the Free tab to select one of the free-to-use voices.
   • Use the Pause/Resume icon, or press the spacebar, to start or stop voice narration.
   • Use the Prev/Next arrow icons, or the up/down arrow keys, to move up and down in the text while the narration is playing.
   • Use the Speed icon to adjust the speed of narration and other related settings, such as automatic repeating of sentences.
3. Familiarize yourself with the sidebar menu:
   
   • Use the Text tool (which is the default) to type or paste text directly into the app. Note that you will not be able to type or paste while the narration is playing.
   • Use the Document tool to have NaturalReader narrate an existing document or web page. You can select a document (PDF, office documents, and other text-based files) or enter a webpage URL. Note that the Image feature requires a paid subscription.  If the document or webpage you select is compatible, NaturalReader will convert it to readable text and allow you to use the narration tools to read the document.
     

Limitations of the Web App

• All document formatting, such as headings, lists, bold/italics, images, or links, will be removed and/or ignored.
• The free version cannot read images, including images of text or scanned documents that lack OCR (optical character recognition).
• Not all documents or web pages are compatible. For example, some web pages only pull in some, but not all, sections of the page. You may need to manually copy/paste text if NaturalReader does not find it automatically.
• For more information, see the NaturalReader Online FAQ page.

Using the Chrome Extension

NaturalReader has developed a Chrome extension (for Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge browsers) that contains much of the functionality from the web application. 

Installing the Chrome Extension

1. Visit the Chrome Web Store page for the NaturalReader Chrome extension.
2. Click the Add to Chrome button.
3. The extension will request the permissions necessary to narrate web pages. Click Add Extension to allow these permissions.
   

Chrome Extension Toolbar

1. Navigate to the web page you would like narrated, and then activate NaturalReader by selecting it in the Extensions menu. This will reveal the NaturalReader toolbar.
   
   • To move the toolbar around, drag the mouse over the right side of the toolbar.
   • To expand the toolbar and reveal additional options, hover over the toolbar and click the arrow on the left side.
   • To close the toolbar, hover over the toolbar and click the small X above the top right corner.
2. Important: If you are using the free version, you will likely need to change the default voice to one of the free voices. Plus AI and Pro voices require a paid subscription. To switch the voice, expand the toolbar, click the Voices icon (left of the big Play button), and scroll to the bottom to view the selection of free voices.
   
3. Optional: You may also adjust the reading speed, toggle on/off Immersive mode, and adjust various other settings from the expanded toolbar.
4. Navigating webpages works similarly to the web app:
   1. Press the Play/Pause button, or hit the spacebar, to start or stop narration.
   2. While narration is active, use the up/down arrow keys to move the narration up or down the page.  The current text being read will be highlighted visually.

Limitations of the Chrome Extension

• NaturalReader ignores formatting such as headings, lists, or bold/italics. Only the text will be read.
• The free version is unable to read images, including images of text or scanned documents that lack OCR (optical character recognition).
• Some features require a subscription to activate.

Using the Mobile App

The NaturalReader Text to Speech app is available from both the Google Play Store (for Android) and Apple’s App Store (for iPhones).

Note that you will need to create an account with NaturalSoft (the company behind NaturalReader) to make use of the app. However, the mobile app, unlike the free versions of the web app and Chrome extension, is capable of reading text within images or photos.

Getting Started with the Mobile App

1. Install the app and follow the onscreen instructions for setting up an account (or log in if you already have an account).  Once logged in, select Remember Me if you would like to remain logged in.
2. The first time you log into the app, you will be taken directly to the Add Text tool. To navigate there from the application home (Library) screen, go to Add > Text. The Add Text tool will look and function similarly to the web app:
   
   1. Important: The application will default to one of the premium, paid voices. To switch to a free voice, select the Voices icon in the lower left, navigate to the Free tab, and select one of the voices available to you.
   2. You may type or paste text directly into this screen. The Clear Text (Tx) icon in the top toolbar may be used to clear the screen.
   3. Use the narration toolbar at the bottom to play/pause, skip back/forward, or adjust the speed of the narration. While the narration is active, you may also touch the screen to narrate a specific part of the text.

Reading Documents

1. From the main Library screen, go to Add > Document, then select a file that has been saved to your device.
2. NaturalReader will attempt to convert the document to readable text. If successful, the narration screen will load with the text from the document.

Reading Webpages

1. From the main Library screen, go to Add > Webpage URL, then paste or enter the URL of the webpage you would like narrated.
2. NaturalReader will attempt to access the webpage. If successful, the narration screen will load with the text from the webpage.
   1. Note: Not all websites will load perfectly.  NaturalReader may only load portions of the webpage, especially if the page is long or complex.

Camera Scan Tool

1. From the main Library screen, select the Camera icon in the lower left. You may need to allow permissions for the app to use your phone’s camera.
2. Take a photo of the text you would like narrated.
3. NaturalReader will load the photo into the narration screen, allowing you to navigate and narrate the text like any other document.

Limitations of the Mobile App

• NaturalReader ignores formatting such as headings, lists, or bold/italics, as well as links. Only the text will be read.
• The narrator tool ignores images on webpages and will skip over them.
• Some features require a subscription to activate.