Amazon.com said it has acquired IVONA Software, a leader in text-to-speech technology.

Dave Limp, Vice President of Amazon Kindle stated, Thursday, "IVONA is already instrumental in helping us deliver excellent accessibility features on Kindle Fire, including Text-to-Speech, Voice Guide and Explore by Touch." Many Kindle books are equipped with the text-to-speech feature, allowing readers to have their favorite books read to them out loud.

IVONA's award-winning technology is developed for use in a variety of communication systems including the public accouncement/transportation and telecommunications. Offering software features such as ease of use, natural voice quality and accuracy, IVONA is an excellent tool for portable devices, systems and computers. As seen on Amazon's Kindle Fire Tablets, IVONA currently offers consumers and developers alike 44 voices in 17 languages and is working to expand that.

Co-founder and CEO of IVONA commented on the acquisition by Amazon stating, "For more than ten years, the IVONA team has been focused on creating innovative text-to-speech technologies. We are all thrilled that Amazon is supporting our growth so that we can continue to innovate and deliver exceptional voice and language support for our customers."

IVONA voice recognition and text-to-speech software can work similarly to Apple's "Siri" and Google's "Google Now" feature. Perhaps Amazon envisions to expand on their devices to feature similar capabilities? Voice activated features are popular with consumers as the need to be "hands free" is quite essential. Voice recognition software can allow users to simply speak into their device to dial a phone number, to send a text, to ask for directions or even to report sports scores or the current temperature. Devices that feature voice recognition software additionally promote accessibility. The Royal National Institute of Blind People and the DAISY Consortium and IVONA work together in their longtime commitment to support the needs of the blind and visually impaired.

This major announcement comes from Amazon just a day after two new Kindle devices were introduced into the Kindle Family lineup, the Kindle Paperwhite and a smaller and faster new edition of Kindle. Amazon boasts that the Kindle Paperwhite is the most advanced e-reader ever constructed. Compared to the previous generation Kindle, the improved Kindle Paperwhite has a higher screen resolution, 62% more pixels, 25% more contrast, and a longer battery life of up to 8 weeks.