The use of personal Internet-enabled objects is on the rise. The use of voice interactions and audio-based delivery of content are the preferred approach for these screen-less objects. In terms of the news industry, Text-To-Speech (TTS) is an obvious choice for repurposing readily available written articles of text for such platforms. Currently through flash briefing skills on services such as Amazon Echo, news publishers are seeking innovative new ways to distribute their content to new audiences. This paper continues the research of NewsThings and uses one of its prototypes, RadioThing, to evidence the problems that are currently present in TTS, how these challenges affect publishers and outlines seven recommendations when designing TTS objects for news and information content. These recommendations are suggested to improve the authenticity, immersion and production of audio-based journalism. Consequently, prompting the use of TTS as a viable form of media for local and regional news organisations.

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This paper explores and illuminates the work in progress of the 'Sound of Colour', an interactive musical installation, used to introduce musical concepts to children. Participants work in a collaborative manner to throw, roll, spin and bounce, coloured balls (typically found in children's ball pits) to create an original generative musical composition, whilst learning the basics of pitch and volume. Through qualitative analysis and observations, the research discusses how a playful, colour based table top interface, affects the way that children interact with basic fundamentals of music, and how the interface affects their creative confidence when learning musical concepts. This study provides insight into how children interact and engage with a physical musical interface, in comparison to other tangible interfaces (button based controllers and mobile devices). In particular, when these instruments are used in a workshop setting, the research reveals novel methods for interaction with children to encourage and open up access to music composition.

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This paper will discuss the design and implementation of the Shogi board, an interface built to allow members of the general public to interact with various Japanese instruments in a novel way. The Shogi board brings elements of Japanese culture to the attention of the general public in England ahead of the season of culture commencing in 2019. This interface utilizes maker technology to create an accessible method for members of the general public to compose music with traditional instruments in public settings.