Get Samsung Galaxy S3 to Read Back a Text After Speaking It

Get your Samsung S3 to read back a speech-generated text using the Text-to-Speech and TalkBack options.

While using the "Text Command" in the S-Voice app on the Samsung Galaxy S3 allows users to dictate instead of type messages, it lacks the ability to read back or repeat messages dictated by the user. Such a read-function would be useful when doing other activities, such as driving, wherein users would benefit from not having to look at the screens of their devices just to check if the composed message is accurate. The need for this read function is now addressed in the improved version of the S-voice app of the Samsung Galaxy S4.

For S3 users however, this article offers an alternative solution, utilizing the S3's "Text-to-Speech" and "TalkBack" features to assume this function. This solution, however, is not perfect, as the TalkBack feature reads aloud not only user text messages, but other menu functions as well.

For this reason, most users probably find it more convenient to download a third party message reader app. Some links for third party message reader apps can be found at the end of the article.

Set up Text-to-Speech

1. 1
   Press the "Menu" key and select "Settings"

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2. 2
   Scroll down the settings menu and select "Language and Input" or "Language and Keyboard".

   

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3. 3
   Under "Speech", do the following

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   1. Select "Voice Recognizer", and then select the "Samsung powered by Vlingo" radio button. Press on the "Back" key to go back to the previous screen.
      
   2. Select "Text to Speech Output". Under "Preferred TTS Engine", select "Samsung TTS". You may also tap on the cogwheel or "Settings" icon to view additional options.
   3. Select "Speech Rate" to choose a reading speed that is faster or slower than the current setting. Press the "Back" key to return to the previous screen.
      

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Another Option - Enable Driving Mode

Follow these steps if you'd like incoming messages to be read as well. If not, skip to Activate TalkBack.

1. 1
   While in the "Text to Speech Output" settings screen, activate "Driving mode" by swiping the switch from left to right

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   1. View and adjust additional settings by tapping once on the "Driving Mode Option". # Press the "Back" key to return to the previous screen.
      
   2. Select "Voice Search" and then scroll down to the "Message" option. Tick the "Show body of message" option. Press the "Back" key to return to the previous screen.

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Activate TalkBack

1. 1
   From the "Language and Input" screen, press the "Back" key once to return to the main "Settings" menu.

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2. 2
   Scroll down and select "Accessibility"

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3. 3
   Under "Services", select "TalkBack"

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4. 4
   Before activating "TalkBack", disable or deactivate the "Explore by Touch" option

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   To do this:

    

   1. Tap on "Settings" at the bottom of the screen, and scroll down to "Touch Exploration".
   2. Make sure that the "Explore by Touch" option is left unchecked. (However if you accidentally end up in this situation, follow the instructions in the tips and warnings section of this article.)
   3. Press the "Back" key to return to the previous screen, and activate "TalkBack" by swiping the switch from left to right.

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Create a Message by Speaking and Have it Read Back to You

1. 1
   In a "New Message" or "Reply" dialogue box, press the microphone icon on your Samsung onscreen keyboard

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   If you don't see this icon, press and hold the first key to the left of the space bar until you see it among other buttons.

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2. 2
   You will be taken to a prompt asking you to speak

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   Speak or dictate your message.

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3. 3
   With TalkBack and TTS enabled, you should be able to hear a voice repeat your message.

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Download a third party message reader such as:

• Sonalight Text by Voice
• Talk, Text to Voice
• Android Voice Extreme

• If you want to quickly toggle between "Normal" and "Accessibility" modes, check the "Accessibility shortcut" option in the "Accessibility" menu.
• Activating TalkBack will not only read texts, but also activate reading of a lot of other functions on your phone.
• If you fail to deactivate "Explore by Touch" before turning on TalkBack, you can still do so. Bear in mind, however, that while this option is activated, a double-tap is necessary for actions that require single-tap, scrolling requires two fingers instead of one, etc.
• S3 users have reported bugs with TalkBack and TTS, so don't experiment with your phone unnecessarily.

A friend of mine has a S3 and can't get "talk to text" to work in his car.

Any ideas on how to make it work?

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Text to Speech does not work after a software upgrade to 4.2.2?

Text to Speech does not work after software upgrade to 4.2.2. Any ideas?

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Hi, what is the system name is in the USA for translating voice to text?

Hi there, I used to have a Samsung Galaxy phone, that I used in Canada, and now I have a Motorola phone that I am using in the USA. I noticed a HUGE difference in the voice to text recognition. It was way more accurate in Canada than the USA. I am Canadian, and have a bit of an accent. Anyway, it's not really a problem, I guess, but I am wondering, in Canada the system that Virgin mobile users get routed through in voice to text is called "Simplicity", where as in the USA I am told it is called "Ceres". Question: can you please clarify my modifications? Thank you, God bless.

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Why does "Ceres" try to "edit" what I am writing even when I try to write it in "code"?

Hi there, Marie. I just realised that all my questions are a bit askew. I am very sleep deprived and not making much sense. I was getting the idea of "auto spell check" mixed up with "voice to text". I think I did have some legitimate questions though, and if you find them, I would still really appreciate any answers that you provide. I have tried: I do have one other question though, lets say I turn off the "auto spell check" will my texts still be "read" by some system out there in the digital nebula? Is it more confidential to use a multimedia message (MMS, why is that acronym not MMM)? I think it was caused by: I really appreciate your thoughts. I am a free spirit, writer, artist, working on some heavy stuff, and well, I am also a bit paranoid. Thank you for your time & consideration. Sincerely, Marcella (aka:loco_mo).

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If you have problems with any of the steps in this article, please ask a question for more help, or post in the comments section below.

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