[Art]

Anyone else receive an email like this recently (today...)?

"Please be informed, that starting from 31st of December 2015 IVONA will no longer be providing support services for the following products for customers:"
  • IVONA Voices
  • IVONA 2 Voices
  • IVONA Reader/IVONA MiniReader/IVONA Control Center
  • Expressivo
  • Accessibility package

This includes recovery of activation keys and installation files as well as software updates and customer support from the IVONA support team.

For your convenience, our trusted partner Harpo Software has prepared a special offer for you. They are an official reseller of IVONA voices and maker of professional text reader – Speech2Go (products are compliant with Windows 10).

Below you will find your discount coupon good for 50% off the regular price of that can be redeemed for products purchased from Harpo Software’s website: http://harposoftware.com/

Your discount coupon code: XXXXX.XXXX.XXXX.XXXXX

####
Below, they included links and activation codes for each Ivona voice you have.

Now, this begs the question, Are they just trying to sell a "New" version for the benefit of those Windows 10 users or does the phrase "No longer supported" mean that your voices will cease to function after Dec. 31 ?

Interesting....thoughts or input appreciated.

[Art]

OK...after examining the Ivona Control Center, it displays the voices currently purchased by you marked in green. It also indicates the Version, whether the voice is Active status (also in green) and the type of License (yes...green too). Then a Buy upgrade (in blue) for those who might be in need of an upgrade in case you had those options turned off or if you just wish to get one.

In my case, the License indicates Private Use (green). - You can use this voice for creating recordings and implement the speech solely for private purposes under the Ivona User License.

So, bottom line is appears that they are handing things over to the Harpo Software company and current product line support will cease at Dec. 31.
Whether the voices will still work? They should unless a "kill" command is sent down line or some such ridiculous event happens. Just no more updates or upgrades without purchase. No 50% discount either. Gosh...what to do...?

[Freddy]

I suppose this is just another TTS buy out. I hope the voices still work because a) I paid for them and b) I like the Emma voice for my projects.

As yet I have not received that email, so thanks for the heads up.

[DemonRaven]

"improvements" is a irritation of mine as  the improvements more often then not are just the company's (not singling out any one company) way of forcing you to eventually have to buy a new product. Once in awhile they are actually a real improvement but mostly just a gimmick to make you buy.

[Art]

Yeah DR, imagine the "new" Windows 10 use for a year then forces one to buy a subscription for their Office products!

That's akin to legalized extortion! I don't care how smart Cortana thinks she is!

Not going to Apple by any means.- for me some fruit just doesn't compute!

There's always Google, Chrome, Gmail and so many, many other additions, apps and offerings.

Lastly there's Linux, with so many "flavors" from which to choose. I do have Ubuntu on an older machine and it installs, updates, finds everything (peripherals, etc.) and runs perfectly! If the rest of the world would catch up or cross over!

Hmm...so little time....

[DemonRaven]

I get what you are saying but for example we used to listen to records then it went to cassettes then back to a very flimsy very breakable and very scratch-able CD.  Was it a improvement really or just companies way of getting more money from us. Not all technology is beneficial for anyone but the company's making it.

I am sorry but i am old fashioned i like the way things used to be.

[Art]

I'm sorry. I'm trying to get this envelope of yours open after just receiving it three weeks after you wrote it. You know how the mail is.
What were you saying about the way things were?
What's that? You need more kerosene for the hurricane lamps on the wall? Stove needs more coal too? Gee...
Out to the spring to fetch more water? and let's not talk about the outhouse...oops...we talked about it.

Naw...I'm good with technology as long as the snoops aren't too invasive. (turn your head).

[DemonRaven]

Don't misunderstand me i am not saying all technology is worthless but a lot of it is driven by greed and not necessarily improvements. However i dare say that if something should wipe out our technology which of us would survive better? I do know how to make a bow and arrow from scratch lol.

[Art]

Agreed!