How to Speech Text on a Galaxy S3

Enable or disable voice commands on the Samsung Galaxy S3.
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Text to Speech and Voice Search are accessibility features included by default on the Samsung Galaxy S3 and other models of the Galaxy S series. The Text to Speech feature reads app text aloud while the Voice Search feature supports speaking commands and dictating messages to your Galaxy S3. These features are particularly useful for driving and other times when you need hands-free functionality. Choose between the Samsung TTS or the Google Text to Speech engines in the Language and Input Settings menu. Enable and disable the Voice Search and Text to Speech features in the Accessibility menu once the settings are configured the Language and Input section.

1 Enable Voice Search

2 Tap the Applications icon

Tap the “Applications” icon from the Samsung Galaxy S3 home screen to open the Applications menu.

3 Tap the Settings icon

Tap the “Settings” icon to launch the Settings app.

4 Tap the Language and Input option

Tap the “Language and Input” option to open the Language and Input Settings menu.

5 Tap Voice Recognizer

Tap “Voice Recognizer,” then tap either the “Google” or “Samsung” option to select the engine for your voice searches.

6 Tap

Tap the “Voice Search” option to open the Voice Search Settings screen for the selected engine.

7 Tap the Language ” option

Tap the “Language” option, then tap the desired language for the Voice Search feature.

8 Tap the Safe Search option

Tap the “Safe Search” option and specify the level of sensitivity for explicit images with the slider bar.

9 Tap Block Offensive Words

Tap “Block Offensive Words,” then slide the slider to “On” to enable the feature, if desired.

10 Tap the Home icon

Tap the “Home” icon to save settings and exit to the home screen.

Tap the “Microphone” icon in the Google Search input box on the home screen, or press the “Microphone” key on the Galaxy keyboard. The Voice Input screen opens.

Speak voice commands into the device microphone. For example, speak “Send text message to John Doe. This is a text message.” As you speak, the “Listening” message displays. The Samsung Galaxy S3 opens the Messaging app, addresses a text message to your contact John Doe, and then writes the message “This is a text message” in the message body. The screen displays the text message so you can proofread the message before sending. Tap or say “Send” to send the message.

11 Enable Text to Speech Output

Tap the “Applications” icon from the Samsung Galaxy S3 home screen.

Tap the “Settings” option to launch the Settings app.

Tap the “Language and Input” tab to open the Language and Input Settings menu.

Tap “Text to Speech Output.” The Samsung TTS and Google Text to Speech options are listed.

Tap the ”Settings” icon next to the Samsung TTS to configure the Samsung engine, or tap the ”Settings” icon next to the Google Text to Speech option to configure the Google Talk engine.

Tap the “Language” option in the selected Settings menu, then tap a language to set the language for speech input and output.

Tap “Install Voice Data,” then follow the onscreen instructions to configure the feature with your voice.

Tap the “Speech Rate” option to select the speed you will speak while using the feature.

Tap the “Listen to Example” option to hear an example of speech output.

Tap “Driving Mode” to enable the Text to Speech feature.

Tap the “Back” button to return to the Settings menu.

Tap the “Accessibility” option in the Settings menu to open the Accessibility Settings screen.

Tap the check boxes next to the “TalkBack” and “Text to Speech" entries to turn on voice commands. The Galaxy now reads aloud the text that displays in apps.

  • Navigating the device changes when the Galaxy is in TalkBack mode. Use two fingers to swipe screens instead of one, and use double-taps instead of single-taps when TalkBack is enabled.
  • TalkBack mode reads your notifications aloud, as well as text messages and emails.

Randall Blackburn has worked for several Fortune 1000 companies as a technical writer over the past seven years. He has produced a wide variety of technical documentation, including detailed programming specifications and research papers. Randall has also acquired several years' experience writing web content. Randall lives and works in Austin, TX.

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