In the competitive world of tech journalism and blogging, quality can sometimes take a backseat to speed. While most bloggers double check their drafts before having their work scrutinized by editors and audience members, mistakes do slip through the cracks. With text-to-speech programs, errors become glaringly apparent.
Eight Interactive just launched its FeedMe Tech iPhone app. The service lets us listen to top tech news while running errands, walking the dog or cooking our holiday feasts. It’s a free application with feeds from 10 popular tech sites including Lifehacker, TechCrunch and ReadWriteWeb. At the moment users cannot add additional feeds; however, the application does record what you’ve read, where you’ve stopped reading and the posts you’d like to save. For now it’s a barebones application that displays how online content providers can better reach their audiences. However, because it transcribes every character, the service can sometimes offer comedic results.
iPhone app demo for FeedMe Tech. from 8Interactive on Vimeo.
Bloggers should take note that FeedMe Tech reveals every grammatical error and misplaced comma. Couple this with the fact that the program’s default voice is set to depressed British robot and you’ll realize that a poorly written article offers an experience a bit like being in Douglas Adams’ Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. In the spirit of spending more time with family members, I, for one, welcome our depressed robot overlords.
To create a custom-branded FeedMe application contact Eight Interactive. To try FeedMe Tech download it here.
