iPod owning commuters are by their masses taking to a new ‘text-to-speech’ accessory which allows users to listen to audio files created from text documents.

NextUp.com’s product, TextAloud 2.0, has proven exceptionally popular since being released and now looks set to reap yet more profits from the UK market.

A recent survey conducted by NextUp.com revealed that three out of four iPod owners used devices for listening to text outside the home or office, with its own TextAloud accessory the favoured choice.

TextAloud uses voice synthesis to convert text documents, web pages and e-mails into coherent audio for easy playback on iPods or computers.

“Most people view their commute to work or school as wasted time, but with the growing use of portable audio devices, like the iPod for listening to audiobooks, commuters are turning that downtime into a productive part of their day,” explained Rick Ellis, president of NextUp.com.

“Using TextAloud to create ‘audio-to-go’ has suddenly opened up a whole new world to many customers, allowing them to truly maximise their time away from the home or office, and to listen to everything from eBooks, to study material, work notes, websites, e-mails or articles—wherever they may go, while they drive.”

Praised by critics and consumers alike, TextAloud retails from just £15.99.