This feature request proposes a Text-to-Speech (TTS) plugin for forums, arguing that listening to threads is a modern convenience similar to AI-narrated stories. Johnny_McIvor suggests integrating the Piper TTS engine, allowing users to toggle playback per post and customize speed, voice, and pitch via a dedicated interface.
In response, merefield notes that browsers like Edge on Windows 11 already offer “Read Aloud Selection” features, a capability confirmed by putty on Mac, though with robotic quality. Johnny_McIvor counters in post 4 that native browser tools are inconsistent across devices (e.g., failing on Google Pixel) and lack granular control over which specific posts to read. The author concludes that TTS is an underestimated opportunity for social media and may proceed to develop the plugin independently.
If we’re trying to modernize forums, I think a decent text-to-speech feature would be rock-solid. People write walls of text, and it’s convenient to just listen to a thread while you’re working on something. Nowadays people listen to AI-narrated stories while they work, it’s a pretty popular trend
Idea:
Create a plugin that allows you to integrate Piper TTS directly into threads.
Every post has a checkbox that can be ticked and a little button to play text-to-speech. There are also options to set the playback speed, voice, pitch, and voices of other speakers.
I assume that the engine would need to be hosted from some external source, but it could be worth it.