Amazon has acquired text-to-speech technology firm Ivona Software, which powers accessibility features optimised for its Kindle Fire tablets. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Ivona, founded in 2001, offers speech synthesis solutions spanning 44 voices in 17 languages, with more in development. Its technologies are integrated into Kindle Fire features including Text-to-Speech, Voice Guide and Explore by Touch.

Amazon said it will work with Ivona to build new voice solutions and products but did not divulge any concrete details. The digital retail giant most likely will leverage the Inova portfolio to add new and enhanced voice recognition capabilities to Kindle tablets and e-readers on par with Apple’s Siri voice assistant technology, which applies search algorithms to translate verbal commands and perform device tasks.

FierceMobileContent: Amazon acquires text-to-speech firm Ivona to rival Apple's Siri; TelecomTV content partner.