Speech technology company Cepstral has partnered with IMVU developer Cassiopeian to release a text-to-speech widget for the IMVU environment that will give the avatars character voices.

Called imVoice, the widget uses VoiceForge technology to convert instant messages into personality audio that the avatar speaks. Users can pick from a menu of over 30 different voices in a variety of accents, ages, and genders, based on feedback Cepstral says indicated users really wanted individualized voice personalities for their characters.

Using the widget lets IMVU users access the audio directly without downloading a TTS engine or individual voice databases. The companies say users can access all the voices and switch between them for a "small fee."

Cassiopeian managing director Liz Strevens said, "We're excited to bring the first 'personality' voices to a virtual world. The key is giving the user interesting voices. No one wants their bank's computerized voice."