Interesting Talking Tech Finds

By Kyler G, 17 September, 2024

Forum
Assistive Technology

Good morning!

After the recent completion of my Zeitgeist saga, I made the mistake of going back on Amazon to find my old Reizen digital talking atomic watch, and ended up finding something else that's not as documented. The TimeVOCALIST talking button clock looks/feels like a traditional button clock on the outside, but it's also app-controlled and has room for 20 alarms and 20 reminders with sound options for each. I've been testing it out for a few days and it has huge potential. I plan to use it in my dorm room. What are your thoughts? Have you found any other talking tech that you find interesting? If you're like me and you like to hear products before you buy, let me know and I can create a Google Drive link with a demo.

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Comments

By Lee on Saturday, September 21, 2024 - 16:02

Weirdly came across a talking induction hobb. Wasn't even overly priced either. Most induction are touch screen but when we got our new kitchen I specifically got one with propper knobs. Didn't know about the talking one at the time.

By SeasonKing on Saturday, September 21, 2024 - 16:02

I am not criticizing anyone, but help me here. Why exactly have a talking clock when literally pressing power Key on IPhone or even Android phones gives you time announcement by respective Screen-readers?
You can set alarms, set it to not ring loudly during night, set it to automatically reduce volume during night etc. It's the most powerful consumer grade clock you can ever find on this earth.

By Kyler G on Saturday, September 21, 2024 - 16:02

The benefit of using a talking alarm clock of this capacity over a smartphone (at least, for me, personally) is that you don't have to worry about constantly charging it. This clock also has an interesting way of handling reminders: if I set a medication reminder for 8:00 AM, it will announce it at 8:00 AM and then once every minute until 8:15 AM until I acknowledge the reminder. After that, when I press the button to get the time, it will speak the reminder after it tells the time until about 8:15 AM. Generally, when someone sets a reminder on a smartphone, all it takes is for the user to dismiss the notification and it's no longer effective. Speaking from the experience of a true procrastinator here. This also might be an interesting product for you if you're into testing new hardware. I love making sure apps and operating systems are accessible to me, hence why I am a regular beta tester and also like to test third-party apps of interest for accessibility.

By SeasonKing on Saturday, September 21, 2024 - 16:02

Thank you for clarification. Although I understand where you are coming from, and respect your enthusiasm and dedication for finding new accessible gadgets, I am also worried about just piling E-Waist.

By jiyahana on Saturday, September 21, 2024 - 16:02

I recently came across some cool talking tech as well. One of my favourites is the Reizen digital talking atomic watch, which is great for hands-free time-telling. I love how useful it can be for people who prefer not to rely solely on their phones for alarms and reminders.

By Kyler G on Saturday, September 21, 2024 - 16:02

You know what's funny? That's exactly what I was trying to look for on Amazon when I stumbled across the TimeVocalist. I used to have that when I was a kid. That was about 2014, and back then I considered that one a bit generic after about 6 months, but now the voice on that one takes me back to a time when my life was a whole lot easier. :)

By AbleTec on Saturday, September 21, 2024 - 16:02

I live in AZ where we have the imminent good sense not to do Daylight Saving Time. I mean, w/113 consecutive days of temps 100+ (38 C), we need 1 more hour of sunlight, right? But twice a year I have to reset the watch, cuz there's no setting for not doing dst.

By Kyler G on Saturday, September 21, 2024 - 16:02

I completely understand. The reason I was looking for that particular atomic watch was mostly for nostalgia. Although I live in Idaho where we do have DST, I don't prefer talking atomics for the simple reason that none of them have any variety. If you take a look at companies like Reizen, OnTime, Hearkent, etc. you will find that the closest companies come to being different when it comes to talking atomics is a different voice and a higher or lower pitched beeping sound for the alarm, although Hearkent do make a talking alarm clock with a temperature censor, choice of 2 different voices as well as 5 different alarm sounds which I have also tested. As someone who likes to find products that are unique and offer contributions to the talking watch/clock market that you probably won't find anywhere else, this is also why the TimeVocalist and other portable products like FiveSenses' new Bluetooth talking watch are interesting to me. App control is certainly a factor in its appeal, along with certain other features that make the experience of using these products much more fun and worthwhile as a collector of about 10 years' experience with talking timepieces. Note, however, that this still doesn't mean that I particularly like relying solely on my iPhone for these type of tasks. I have a passion for testing the accessibility of new and upcoming apps and products, and as for the TimeVocalist, I am working with the developer to continue improving the accessibility of their current app, and even have the potential to start testing new products as they become available.

By Renita Rogers on Saturday, September 21, 2024 - 16:02

Hi, I have a talking clock, as well as my phone. Some times I like hearing the time from other sources. I used to have talking watches years ago, but they kept quitting on me. so, I bought an apple watch. I tried the alarm on my clock years ago, but it scared me awake. So, I preferred my mom to wake me up gently. Eventually I started using my phone as an alarm. Now I use a sleep schedule width bird song as my alarm, since my mom can't wake me up from the grave.

By Brad on Monday, September 23, 2024 - 16:02

It's the one from cobolt.

I used to have it but gave it away because I wasn't using it enough.

I might get one of those again once I move out, or just use the cooker there, I'm not sure yet.