Apps like Microsoft Lens and Google Keep are revolutionizing how we interact with text through their use of optical character recognition (OCR) technology. This powerful tool can recognize letters in photographs, transforming images into electronic text that can be easily read and manipulated. By integrating OCR with text-to-speech technology, these apps enable users to listen to written content, making information more accessible than ever. In this article, we’ll explore how to turn printed text into spoken words to enhance your reading experience.
The benefits of OCR:
- Converts an image of text into digital text that can be read aloud by text-to-speech technology or screen readers
Using Microsoft Lens or Google Keep, you can take a picture of a printed handout or a book page and have it read aloud to you.
For this tutorial, download the free Microsoft Lens app and the free Google Keep app on your mobile device. Both are available to download on iOS and Android devices. You may be prompted to use your login information from your free Microsoft account and free Google account.
Microsoft: OCR and text-to-speech technology in Microsoft Lens
- Open the Microsoft Lens app on a phone or tablet. It will use your device’s camera.
- In the camera view, swipe the bottom of the screen to select Document.
- Press the Circle button to take a photograph of a page of typed text.
- The photo may be auto-cropped or you may edit the photo. Select confirm.
- Press Done.
- You will be taken to an Export To window. If not, you can select the photo and press the Export To button (box with an up arrow).
- For on-the-spot reading, click Immersive Reader. OCR software will convert the photograph into a text based document. [Alternatively, you can send the image to Word or OneNote and use Immersive Reader in those applications.]
- Press the Play button to hear the words read aloud.
Microsoft Support articles: Office Lens for Windows, Accessibility in Microsoft Lens for iPhone, Microsoft Lens for Android, What is Office Lens? OneNote for iOS
Tip: Microsoft Lens can also convert handwritten material into a text based document using the Action button instead of the Document button when taking the photograph.
Google: Pair OCR technology in Google Keep with device text-to-speech technology
- Open the Google Keep app on a phone or tablet.
- Press the Image icon (square with mountains).
- Click Take Photo.
- Choose Use Photo.
- Type a Title, if desired.
- Tap on the image.
- Select the More icon (three dots).
- Press Grab Image Text. The text will appear in the note section below the photograph and title.
Google Workspace YouTube video: How to grab image text with Google Keep
Now, the image has been converted into electronic text. Google Keep does not have built-in text-to-speech technology; however, you can use the text-to-speech feature on your mobile device.
Watch the YouTube video by Understood.org for instructions: ADHD and Dyslexia Strategies: How to Turn on Text to Speech on Your Mobile Device
Another option is to open Google Keep on your computer. Look for Google Keep in the list of applications in your Google account and open it. Click on the saved note. Use a third party text-to-speech program to read the text. Or if you have a Mac computer, use the Speak Selection feature.
Tip: Google Drive also utilizes OCR technology. You can open an image in Google Drive, convert the image to text, and open the file in Google Docs. Review the Google Help article: Convert PDF and photo files to text
Now, you have discovered the wonders of OCR applications; where you take a photograph of paper reading material, convert the image to text, and use free text-to-speech to have it read aloud.
Other strategies when reading is difficult or fatiguing
- Text-to-speech technology
- Audiobooks. Check out the resources on the offline solutions page.
Resources
Paid text-to-speech technology with OCR capability
Claro Read – Claro Read is a reading and writing toolbar that include text-to-speech and pairs OCR technology with text-to-speech. Different applications are available for Windows, Mac, Chrome Extension, iOS device and Android devices. Free trial.
Kami – An annotation application with OCR and text-to-speech technology. Install as a Chrome extension. The free version includes basic note taking tools plus OCR technology, but not text-to-speech. Text-to-speech technology is included in the paid version.
Kurzweil 3000 – Reading and writing software that includes many digital support tools. Kurzweil 3000 has text-to-speech software with highlighting to read online text. It also includes an image reader to convert an image of text into electronic text that can be read aloud. Can be installed as a browser extension. Free trial period.
Read&Write – A software toolbar with many digital support tools for reading and writing. Read&Write has text-to-speech software with highlighting. Furthermore, it includes a screenshot reader that converts an image of text into electronic text that can be read aloud. Available as a Google Chrome extension. Free 30 day trial.
Snap&Read – Another software option for reading and writing support. Like the others, Snap&Read includes text-to-speech with highlighting and a screenshot reader. An image of text converted in electronic text to be read aloud using the screenshot reader. Offered as a browser extension. Free trial period.
Voice Dream Reader – Reading and writing application that includes both text-to-speech and OCR technology plus other digital support tools. iOS only. Free version only reads the first 300 characters of a document. Paid version is low cost.
Note: Some educational institutions and workplaces have a subscription to these software packages as part of inclusion practices. Check to see if you have already have access to these tools through your school or employer, if applicable.
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