This app fills a need I discovered while out on a run. Though Android’s notifications and alerts are great, if you’re too busy—or unable—to look at the screen, you don’t know whether a recently arrived text message was important or can wait a few minutes. Run On, my latest app, attempts to improve that scenario, and it is now available for Android.
Run On reads out incoming text messages using the available text to speech engine. It’s designed as a simple, lightweight app instead of an all-in-one messaging center, working alongside your text messaging application of choice. The notification sounds Run On replaces are muted by default; instead, the sender and message itself are optionally announced, including the contact name instead of phone number.
If you’re busy running, driving or cycling and listening to music on your Android device, Run On can pause the music while it reads out messages. Messages can be specified to only be read out while headphones or Bluetooth A2DP headsets are connected, rather than all the time. To disable Run On entirely, a large toggle switch can be used on the main screen of the app.
The second release from the Inflatable Apps collective, Run On is available for free in the Android Market. Click or scan the QR code below for the market page. If you have comments or questions, I welcome the input in the comments here, on the market, or by email at runon@carsonbrown.ca. Enjoy!
