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==Summary==
The TI-99/4 and TI-99/4A '''Solid State Speech<sup>TM</sup> Synthesizer''' plugs into the side-car position on the right-hand side of either computer. The speech synthesizer contained contains a specific vocabulary. The speech synthesizer always had needs to be plugged into the first side-car position even if using a peripheral expansion box (PEB). If other peripherals were are used, the speech synthesizer always had has to be the first peripheral, plugged in, closest to the computer, to work properly.
Initially, Texas Instruments (TI) intended to sell add on vocabulary cartridges that plugged directly into the speech synthesizer into the lifting door on the front of the unit. However; it was quickly realized that vocabulary expansion was easily achieved in software, therefore; the expansion cards were quickly disbanded and never developed or sold for the speech synthesizer. The speech synthesizer was one of the most purchased and available add-on modules around for the TI-99/4 - TI-99/4A system as it was given away near the end of the computer's life with software titles.
