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CLEMMONS, NC - The loss of the ability to speak (or to speak clearly) can be a devastating one, bringing feelings of frustration and isolation when others are unable to understand you. William F. understood such feelings well after surviving an accident that resulted in the loss of half his jaw. He often struggled afterward in his efforts to speak and to be understood -- then his discovery of Text to Speech software NextUp Talker (http://www.Talkforme.com), from NextUp.com, gave him the solution he'd been searching for.

"Due to my injury, I was left with a speech problem that makes it very hard for people to understand me when I speak," comments William. "People would often become frustrated and tended to get impatient after their second or third 'What?'-- often using an excuse to simply end the conversation (which can really hurt)." Then he discovered NextUp Talker. "In these situations now, when my laptop is near, I'll just say 'Wait a sec' and then type out what I was going to say with NextUp Talker," he comments. "It enables me, many times, to pick up the conversation as if it never stopped. I can't tell you how good that makes you feel on the inside."

NextUp Talker (http://www.Talkforme.com) is the easy-to-use PC program from the Text to Speech experts at NextUp that offers a unique and affordable software solution for those suffering voice loss, whether from ALS, cancer, stroke, injury, aphasia, or other conditions. With NextUp Talker, users are able to communicate in a clear and human-sounding spoken voice once again, simply by using an ordinary Windows computer, laptop, or Tablet PC. The program installs in minutes, and even offers convenient shortcuts for quickly entering commonly-used sentences and phrases, making quick conversation easy and accessible for anyone.

For others with voice loss, William recommends that they acclimate themselves to using the NextUp Talker software replacement in their speech by introducing themselves using the software's preset greeting, which helps the other person to instantly understand how the conversation will flow. He also recommends using the software on the phone with people you know. "If they don't know you, there's always the danger they'll think you're a telemarketer!" he laughs. "But it works. I can even call for takeout now."

William found that NextUp Talker easily integrated into his daily life and routine, choosing the "Crystal" voice from AT&T Natural Voices (TM) for the voice's clarity and naturalism. "My closest family and friends know me so well that they pretty much understand whatever I say because they are used to my disability," he comments. "But even so, every now and then I'll say something they don't understand, and they simply point to my laptop -- and then I laugh and go type up what I wanted to say in NextUp Talker!"

Ultimately, NextUp Talker has helped William regain his ability to converse and socialize. "It's made it easier to talk with people, and even made me learn how to type better, too!" he adds. "Most of all, NextUp Talker can break the tension that builds in a conversation when you can't speak clearly," he comments. "It can help your confidence to talk to people. Most of all, it offers a way to be understood."

NextUp Talker was specifically designed for use in conversation, offering pleasant and "conversational" speech and working easily with either mouse or keyboard. Easy-to-use shortcuts for common words or phrases help the user adapt to their own style and speech. The program can even insert actual sound files along with speech, helping to make children more comfortable in talking with an adult using a computer to speak, as well.

NextUp Talker is priced at just $99.95, and is compatible with Windows (R) Vista, XP, 98, NT, 2000, or Tablet PCs. The program is instantly accessible for download, evaluation and purchase via http://www.talkforme.com/, and includes a free 30-day trial so that users can truly get familiar with using the software as a new part of everyday life. NextUp Talker comes with "Mike" and "Crystal," an excellent pair of male and female premium voices from AT&T Natural Voices (TM), or additional premium voices are also optionally available from NextUp.com including Nuance RealSpeak (R) and Acapela (R).

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.