Text to Speech In Flutter : Supercharge User Interaction in 6 Steps

Text-to-speech (TTS) functionality can greatly improve the accessibility and user experience of your Flutter mobile applications. By integrating TTS capabilities, you can make your app more inclusive for users with visual impairments or those who prefer auditory information. In this tutorial, we will explore how to implement text-to-speech in Flutter, allowing your app to convert written text into spoken words. Let’s dive into the process.

Text-To-Speech in Flutter

What is text to speech

Text-to-speech (TTS) is a technology that converts written or textual content into audible speech. It plays a crucial role in enhancing accessibility for individuals with visual impairments or those who may prefer listening to content rather than reading it. TTS systems analyze and interpret the text, then use synthesized voices to articulate the content in a spoken form. This technology has a wide range of applications, from screen readers for the visually impaired to voice assistants, e-learning platforms, and mobile apps. TTS not only improves inclusivity by making digital content more accessible but also offers convenience and versatility in various domains, including education, entertainment, and assistive technology.

Integrating Text To Speech In Flutter:

Integrating text-to-speech (TTS) in Flutter involves using packages like flutter_tts to enable spoken text output within mobile applications. This seamless integration enhances accessibility and user experience, allowing developers to convert written content into audible speech, benefiting users with visual impairments or those who prefer auditory interaction in their Flutter apps.

Step 1: Setting Up Your Flutter Project

Begin by creating a new Flutter project or using an existing one.

Step 2: Adding Dependency for Text-to-Speech

1. Open your project’s pubspec.yaml file and add the following dependency:

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dependencies:
  flutter:
    sdk: flutter
  flutter_tts: ^3.8.3
Add TTS Dependency

Save the file, and run flutter pub get in your terminal to fetch the dependency.

Step 3: Import Dependencies

Import the necessary packages for text-to-speech by adding the following lines at the beginning of your Dart file:

import 'package:flutter/material.dart';
import 'package:flutter_tts/flutter_tts.dart';
void main() {
  runApp(const MyApp());
}
class MyApp extends StatelessWidget {
  const MyApp({super.key});
  // This widget is the root of your application.
  @override
  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
    return MaterialApp(
      title: 'Flutter Demo',
      theme: ThemeData(
        useMaterial3: true,
      ),
      home:const _TextToSpeechAppState(),
    );
  }
}
Imprt TTS Dependency

Step 4: Define FlutterTTS and Text Controller

Set up the FlutterTTS instance and a TextEditingController to manage user input and text to be spoken:

class _TextToSpeechAppState extends StatefulWidget {
  const _TextToSpeechAppState({super.key});
  @override
  State<_TextToSpeechAppState> createState() => __TextToSpeechAppStateState();
}
class __TextToSpeechAppStateState extends State<_TextToSpeechAppState> {
  final FlutterTts flutterTts = FlutterTts();
  final TextEditingController textController = TextEditingController();
  String textToSpeak = '';
  @override
  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
    return const Placeholder();
  }
}
Declare Variables

Step 5: Build the User Interface

Implement the user interface by extending the TextToSpeechAppState class and defining the UI elements. This includes the text field and button for initiating text-to-speech:

class TextToSpeechAppState extends State<TextToSpeechApp> {
  // Existing code
  @override
  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
    return Scaffold(
      appBar: AppBar(title: Text('Text-to-Speech in Flutter')),
      body: Padding(
        padding: const EdgeInsets.all(20.0),
        child: Column(
          children: <Widget>[
            // Text field and button widgets go here
          ],
        ),
      ),
    );
  }
}

Step 6: Add a Text Field and Speak Button

Include a TextField widget for user text input and an ElevatedButton widget to initiate text-to-speech:

TextField(
  controller: textController,
  decoration: InputDecoration(labelText: 'Enter text to speak'),
  onChanged: (text) {
    setState(() {
      textToSpeak = text;
    });
  },
),
SizedBox(height: 20.0),
ElevatedButton(
  onPressed: () => speak(),
  child: Text('Speak'),
),

Learn About Box Decoration In Flutter From Here

TTS UI

These smaller steps provide a clear roadmap for implementing the text-to-speech logic within your Flutter app. Make sure to organize your widgets and functions for a smooth user experience.

Conclusion:

By following this tutorial, you’ve learned how to integrate text-to-speech functionality into your Flutter application. This enhancement can significantly improve user accessibility and interaction, making your app more versatile and inclusive. Explore additional features and customization options offered by the flutter_tts package to fine-tune the TTS experience for your users. Happy Flutter development!

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