How to Install Eloquence TTS in Android Smartwatch

Technology has evolved dramatically, especially over the past decade. Smart devices have become as commonplace today as horses were 100 years ago. Watches, for instance, have undergone a significant transformation, from manual wristwatches to automatic ones, to those with additional features like calendars, and now to smartwatches, which are the standard nowadays.

For the past decade, Blind Help Project has been committed to empowering the visually impaired community through technology. As part of this mission, we launched the "Ultimate Android Smartwatch Guide," a video series tailored to teaching the visually impaired community about smartwatches, what they are, how they work, and how a blind person can use them effectively.

Through this series, many of you reached out with questions, particularly about installing the Eloquence Text-to-Speech Engine on Android smartwatches. A recurring query was, "How did you manage to bring Eloquence TTS to the Galaxy Watch 5?"

In response to your queries, we are excited to present this detailed guide, designed to walk you through every step of the process in a clear, beginner-friendly manner.

Prerequisites and Considerations:

Before diving into the installation process, it is essential to understand the following:

• Eloquence TTS Discontinuation: Eloquence TTS is a discontinued project and may not work on all devices. The method described here works because the Galaxy Watch 5 still supports 32-bit apps. However, your experience may vary.
• Technical Expertise Required: This process is highly technical. Attempt it only if you have prior knowledge of Android’s operating system and understand the risks involved.
• Disclaimer: You proceed at your own risk. Neither I nor the Blind Help Project will be held responsible for any damage caused to your device.

Steps to Install Eloquence TTS:

Ensure PC and Smartwatch Are on the Same Wi-Fi:

Both your PC and smartwatch must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. This is like ensuring two walkie-talkies are set to the same frequency.

Step 1: Adjust Display Settings for Smooth Pairing

Before starting the process, it’s important to adjust your smartwatch’s display settings. This step is necessary to make the pairing process easier and avoid issues caused by the screen locking too quickly.

1. Open the Settings App: Go to your watch’s app drawer and tap on Settings.
2. Set Screen Timeout: Navigate to Display, find the Screen Timeout option, and set it to 1 minute (the maximum available). This ensures your screen stays on longer while you complete the pairing steps.
3. Enable “Show Last App”: Right below the screen timeout option, look for Show Last App Within. Set it to 1 hour. This will stop the pairing code and port from changing every time the screen locks.

Doing this will give you enough time to note down the IP address, port, and pairing code without any rush. Skipping these settings will make the process much harder, so be sure to complete this step first.

Step 2: Set Up ADB on Your PC

To begin, you need to prepare your PC to communicate with the smartwatch. Think of it like getting your tools ready before fixing a car. Without the proper tools, the process cannot proceed smoothly.

1. Download ADB Tools for Windows.
2. Extract the downloaded file to an easy-to-access folder on your PC, such as C:\ADB.
3. Navigate to the folder where you extracted the ADB Tools.
4. Press Alt + D to highlight the address bar, type CMD, and press Enter. This will open Command Prompt directly in the folder where ADB tools are located.

Verify ADB Installation:

In Command Prompt, type adb version and press Enter. You should see information about the ADB version installed on your system. For example:

Android Debug Bridge version 1.0.41 Version 34.0.5-10900879 Installed as C:\ADB\adb.exe

If you don’t see this, ensure you extracted the files correctly or downloaded the right tools.

Step 3: Prepare Your Smartwatch

Now that your PC is ready, it’s time to configure your smartwatch. Think of this as setting up the device to "talk" to your PC.

Enable Developer Options:

1. Open the settings menu on your smartwatch via the app drawer or quick panel.
2. Scroll to the bottom and select About Watch.
3. Tap Software Info and then tap the Software Version option repeatedly until you see a popup message saying, "Developer mode activated."

Go back to the settings menu, where you will now see Developer Options listed under About Watch.

Enable Wireless and ADB Debugging:

1. Open Developer Options and toggle on ADB Debugging. Confirm any prompts.
2. Enable Wireless Debugging and wait for the IP address and port to appear. These indicate that the feature is active.
3. Under the Wireless Debugging menu, select Pair New Device. Note the IP address, port, and pairing code displayed on your watch.

Step 4: Pair Your Smartwatch with the PC

Now that both the PC and smartwatch are ready, it’s time to pair them. Imagine pairing your smartwatch to your phone, but this time, we’re pairing it to the PC for a special purpose.

In Command Prompt, type the command adb pair <IP>:<Port> (replace <IP> and <Port> with the values displayed on your watch). For example:

adb pair 192.555.8.123:45587

When prompted, enter the pairing code from your watch.

If successful, you will see a "Paired Successfully" message.

Connect to the Watch:

In Command Prompt, type adb connect <IP>:<Port> (use the IP and port now listed under the Wireless Debugging menu, not the pairing screen). For example:

adb connect 192.555.8.123:35087

If successful, Command Prompt will notify you that the connection is established.

Step 5: Install Eloquence TTS

1. Place the Eloquence TTS APK file in the ADB Tools directory or note its full file path.
2. In Command Prompt, type:
   adb install "<file_path>"
   Replace <file_path> with the APK file’s name or full path. For example:
   adb install eloquence.apk
3. Wait for the installation to complete. You will see a success message in Command Prompt if everything went well.
4. Restart your smartwatch and select Eloquence TTS in the Text-to-Speech settings.

Additional Tips:

• Ensure your PC and smartwatch remain connected to the same Wi-Fi network throughout the process.
• Use the IP address and ports displayed on your own devices; those provided in this guide are examples only.
• If your watch restarts or disconnects, you may need to repeat the pairing and connection steps.
• Ensure Sufficient Battery: Perform all steps with your smartwatch charged to at least 70% or above. A low battery may interrupt the process or cause unexpected behavior.

Final Notes:

This guide is designed to help absolute beginners, so we’ve included as much detail as possible. If followed correctly, it allows you to bring the Eloquence TTS experience to your Android smartwatch, empowering you to use the familiar and efficient text-to-speech engine.

We hope this guide helps you enhance your smartwatch experience. Stay tuned to Blind Help Project for more tips and tutorials that make technology accessible!