How to read while lying completely flat?

Adrian said:
Can you get the computer to read things to you so rather than reading the material you want you get it read. I've done this with word before.
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I've looked into that lately but I still use Windows 10 and I don't think it's available. I'll have to switch to the latest version soon, though, because support for Windows 10 will end in October.

But I still prefer to read. I don't take in information as well aurally and can't control the rate of reading or skip back to something I want to think more about.
 
Sasha said:
But I still prefer to read. I don't take in information as well aurally and can't control the rate of reading or skip back to something I want to think more about.
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I'm the same. I can't even get through a 15-minute Book at Bedtime episode without rewinding it several times because my brain's disengaged after two minutes.

I can read from a tablet, though, so that helps. I'd rather have a real book, but it's okay. The chances are that if you needed to, you probably could use voice commands to "turn" the pages.
 
Look into projection screens. I've noticed numerous news items about them lately, but didn't bother reading them, since I have no need for one. Projecting onto a ceiling should be effective. No idea of cost.

If I had an audio book going, I'd immediately want to pull out something to read, and tune out the voice.
 
Creekside said:
Look into projection screens. I've noticed numerous news items about them lately, but didn't bother reading them, since I have no need for one. Projecting onto a ceiling should be effective. No idea of cost.
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I tried out a projector a few years ago but you have to have the room quite dark for them to work, and I don't want to be in the dark in the daytime. Pity, because it would have been handy!
 
There is a "Select to Speak" feature in Accessibility setting on Android that will read text out loud. I tested and it seems to read webpages and emails fine. It didn't work with the NYT app though. I couldn't try it on eBooks since I don't have any. But Google AI says that the feature works on eBooks.
 
Sasha said:
I tried out a projector a few years ago but you have to have the room quite dark for them to work, and I don't want to be in the dark in the daytime. Pity, because it would have been handy!
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If you can afford it, you could look into Meta VR headset. AI says that you can read eBooks with it. Not sure if that would be any better than a projector though.
 
@Sasha I know someone who uses
Amazon product ASIN B0D4HKK32Swhich is a floor stand for a Kindle and a remote to turn the pages... They have been able to read more because they no longer have to hold the Kindle or reach to change pages, etc....
I hope you find something that works well for you!

ETA Deepest apologies for the link that didn't show/work... Amazon product ASIN B0DN5TVB51
Floor Stand Kindle Holder with Remote Page Turner for Reading in Bed, Tablet Mount with Clicker, Kindle Accessories Tablet Stand Holder for Kindles Tablets iPhones 4.7-12.9 inch(Black)
 
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Adrian said:
Can you get the computer to read things to you
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In my experience text-to-speech is very useful in shortish bursts, and I am grateful for it.

But it is not so good for extended reads. It gets very drone like and relentless, almost oppressively at times, as it lacks the normal semi-random variations in tone and pace and rhythm found in natural human speech.

Also still has trouble with context dependent pronunciation of the same spelling, (e.g. he is going to live in England, v. a live broadcast).
 
Sasha said:
I tried out a projector a few years ago but you have to have the room quite dark for them to work,
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Yes, but technology is advancing rapidly, so I think the new laser projectors are as bright as a regular screen, so usable in normal lighting. For things such as TV technology, "a few years" can be dramatic. Check newatlas.com for "laser tv".

Is there any reason you can't hang a regular monitor from the ceiling or held by wall brackets? Searching "suspend monitor over bed" showed a number of options, and stories from people who wanted/needed to view while in bed. This is if the e-reader screen on a holder/page-turner is unsuitable.

There's also an exoskeleton arm that could hold an e-reader hopefully without fatigue. Just brainstorming here...
 
Creekside said:
There's also an exoskeleton arm that could hold an e-reader hopefully without fatigue.
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Or an eye hook in the ceiling and two strings to control the angle. I know this works because a relative had one to watch late-night cricket.

He had to move the eye hook further down the bed, because he kept falling asleep, jumping bolt upright when the commentators yelled because someone took an amazing catch, and bashing his nose on the tablet. The perils of modern technology.
 
MrMagoo said:
I use a tablet and I seriously considered a small Perspex table to lie underneath! I tried a number of stands and headboard clips thingys and they were all incapable of holding the weight, theyre not a good solution.
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I used to like my perspex 'bridge' (just a rectangle of perspex resting on a couple of chairs, with me lying underneath between). It was a bit of an effort to lift a book to turn the page and put it back again but any physical book is going to have that issue if it's raised in any way while you're lying down.
 
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