Autocasting is the term used to refer either service or tool that would automatically convert the text on a blog into speech. Most of these tools / service would read the RSS feed and covert them into speech using their inbuilt Tex-to-Speech (TTS) technology.
Why Autocasting?
Autocasting can be used in conjunction with normal blog that would add more liveliness to users. Podcasting would allow readers to listen to your post while they are working in parallel. Thus it would help the author to convey their complete story to their reader rather than readers scanning the post text.
Here is the list of service I have tried in past months and my recommended service. Also you can subscribe to my podcast feeds if you’re interested in listening “TechCorner†via voice.
Recommended service
Odiogo is the latest in the list and is my favorite now. Odiogo embeds listen button into your blog post. The listen now button has a build in MP3 player that would play you the converted audio post. Odiogo monetize they podcasts using sponsored ads, it might be required for them run this service free of cost for blogger. Once you signup for Odiogo you may need to wait for 2-3 days to receive the installation information and the feed url. Installing Ogiogo’s Listen button is simple in WordPress.
Subscribe to TechCorner’s Odiogo feed 
Talkr service was announced long time back in 2005. It faced a great downfall in entire 2006 and now they are getting better. Talkr is also very similar to Odiogo in the service spectrum. Talkr also lets user to embedded the MP3 with the blog feed and blog site. Talkr also lets the bloggers to monetize their voice feed using sponsored voice ads. Talkr also had statistics page, which gives you information on the audio feed usage. Odiogo lacks the stats part. Talkr also has WordPress plugin to embed Talkr feed into every post.
Subscribe to TechCorner’s Talkr feed 
Other services – Try yourself
Also you can try out the below service but I’m not recommending them due to lack of few features / usability reason. The below listed are still in beta stage and hope they have room for their improvement.
BlueGrid
BlueGrid seems to be relatively new service with lot of bug in their interface. They allow you to listen to podcast using play list you can choose them from their list. You can either submit the content to BlueGrid as text or as blog itself. BlueGrid also has instructions to embed the content into your blog.
Check out TechCorner feed here.
Feed2Podcast
Feed2Podcast is simple service that will convert any Feed into postcast. You just need to provide the feed url. Feed2Podcast lacks option to embed the content directly into blog post; rather it provides option to user their player to listen your audio content.
Check out TechCorner in their player, here.
Autocasting Limitation
Text to Speech (TTS) technology is not evolved completely but it is improving. The pronunciations of English standard words have improved a lot. The auto-generated voice might not be the same for foreign names, acronym, emotion used and other non-standard English text.
Have you tried any of these services? Voice your thoughts.
Ah that’s nice list. However, not every podcast gets the success, I really wonder that who’ll want to listen when one can simply read stuff.
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Pretty good list. Those who are thinking of adding a podcast will love this list. Great job buddy.
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Mayank – Well, it is not a matter of success; autocasting is just providing another medium for the readers. Reading can’t be a parallel activity but reading is; so it depends on person to person. IMO, I might listen to podcast at my work rather than reading the post. BTW, Thanks for the link back!
Baron – Thanks buddy. It might be good for podcast novice; a try before getting into true podcasting 🙂 Also it would favor your blog if you’ve got podcast readers!
wow ..
i was searching for similar type of info…
thanks for mentioning it here..
@mayank
When you read blogs for many hours in a day it would be great to hear the blog post then to read it
at least i would prefer listening up…
I don’t have a podcast yet. I’ve always thought that podcasts were for people who can’t see (not nearly blind), so they can “read” blogs easily. But I guess it’s nice to listen to a blog post one in a while. 🙂
shashank – I’m glad you got the information which you’re looking for! hope you grabbed my audio feeds as well 🙂 Nice to see another podcast fan 🙂
Grace – Well, that is another good point as well. It would facilitate more readers 🙂 BTW, Thanks for the link back!
Podcasting isn’t for me. I’m too shy haha.
Hi there,
This a great peace of information & very useful too.
Sometimes there are so many blogs to read that one simply can’t go on reading all of them.
this a good alternative.
Thanks for sharing it.
Take Care!! 🙂
Good info, I didn’t know this was possible! Not sure if anyone would want to listen to my blog, but who knows! Thanks!
Great list buddy . Sometimes i would prefer to listen to a blog post for a change .
Brown Baron – If you’re shy then I’m shyest of all 🙂 podcasting will boost your confidence!
Sunil Parmar – You’re correct! you can listen when you’re not starring at your Monitor. I’m glad that you liked the information.
Aseem Kishore – Might be you can give a try! you may not get the who reader group listening to podcast atleast two or three! BTW, Nice to see you here and hope to see you again.!
Madhur Kapoor – I’m glad to find there are few people like me!
Benedict- No problem! I think doing podcasting would attract a wider range of audience. 😀
WoW! I was also thinking of offering podcasts to readers. This post is really helpful. Thanks for this write up!
Grace – To a point, yes! Definitely you have give a try!
Shankar Ganesh – That’s great! I’m waiting to add your podcast feed to my iTunes podcast list.
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I’ve tried talkr before. But I stop using this service because of robotic tone. LiveOnTheNet acquired talkr in march while i’m using it. They did not make improvement since they has been acquired. Thanks benedict for odiogo link 🙂
p.s: now, i just subscribed your blog.
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Myo Kyaw Htun– Odiogo is much better than talkr. Hope you will like it. BTW, I’m glad you subscribed and thank you. I got you already in my reader 🙂
All – Thanks for the link back guys!
Simple awesome !
It is funny listening to your own blog post.
Anyway.. it is another way to read or hear a blog post 🙂
Thanks for the list down Ben,
@ReviewSaurus – I would prefer reading through my fav blogs, while at work 😀 it’s a great way to save time.
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Hmmm… Podcasting our blog content without our inclusion? this idea sound fresh to me. But I’m afraid that the result sounds will be like microsoft speech. That’s horrible! lol
But, I will try this resources. Hope I can find one that will suit myself. THanks for sharing, Ben! 🙂 Stumbled!
jamy – Thank you 🙂
kuanhoong – Yes, another good media for bored readers 🙂
Main Karthik – You’re welcome 🙂 BTW, Thanks for stopping here! Hope to see you again.
Mayanak – hope you have got your answers.
Ken Xu – Don’t be afraid. Odiogo is much better than Microsoft speech. You can try out my podcast feeds. Thanks for stumble 🙂
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Gotta try this.
But I wonder – how many people wuold actually hear podcasts? i am certainly more comfortable on google reader, than podcast.
Sumesh – Might not everyone listen to podcast. But there are people and giving an alternative way isn’t bad too.
Well, I made use of the Odiogo and I was impressed with the quality of voice. It is almost as if I was listening to a human being!
The post is as usual detailed and deserves all the good promotion 🙂
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Mayank – It’s great to know you liked Odiogo. Odiogo really beats everything in the list! BTW, It would great if you share the podcast feed with us. We have few podcast fans 🙂
Simple awesome !
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ben can podcast be popular as blogs? I mean text?
Hi, yesterday in italy was announced another service called Dixero that include also private and public channel, multi-voices, multi-languages, community and more.
Recurve Bow – I believe they are already equal popular as blogs.
Emanuele Rosati – Thank you for letting us know about it; will give it a try.!
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