Authors irked by new Kindle

By Associated Press

Summary

The guild that represents authors is urging writers to be wary of a text-to-speech feature on Amazon.com's updated Kindle, saying the stilted electronic voice in the 'Read to Me' feature could erode audio book sales.

Story Published: Feb 12, 2009 at 9:37 AM PST

Story Updated: Feb 12, 2009 at 9:41 AM PST

Authors irked by new Kindle

The new Kindle 2 electronic reader is shown at an Amazon.com at a news conference Monday, Feb. 9, 2009 in New York.

NEW YORK (AP) - The guild that represents authors is urging writers to be wary of a text-to-speech feature on Amazon.com Inc.'s updated Kindle electronic reading device.

In a memo sent to members Thursday, the guild says the Kindle 2's "Read to Me" feature "presents a significant challenge to the publishing industry."

The Kindle can read text in a somewhat stilted electronic voice. But the Authors Guild says the quality figures to "improve rapidly." And the guild worries that could undermine the market for audio books.

It is telling authors and publishers to consider asking Amazon to disable the audio function on e-books it licenses.

Amazon spokesman Drew Herdener said the company has the proper license for the text-to-speech function, which comes from Nuance Communications Inc.