Computer Buddy

Nowadays, many users connect their computers to a TV and use them as a video streaming platform, at which point it becomes difficult to manage various system functions without wireless peripherals. If you also use a tablet to listen to music and wish to switch between the two, things get even more tricky.
Computer Buddy is a handy piece of software that aims to offer a solution, as it enables you to control the volume of your computer and Windows tablet using voice commands. It also comes equipped with a useful text-to-speech engine.

Mute sound and alter volume using voice commands

The application is primarily designed to help those who wish to kill the audio output of their PCs or Windows tablets without moving to their desks. It relies on a simple set of voice commands, which can be viewed in the main program window. Unfortunately, however, these cannot be customized.
During our tests, we found Computer Buddy to be very responsive, but it is recommended to use a high-quality microphone in order to ensure your voice will be recognized even if you are a fair distance away from your PC.

Includes a helpful text-to-speech engine

Aside from controlling sound volume, the application is capable of reading any text that has been copied to the clipboard. This function is also controlled using a simple voice command.
Sadly, though, only one computer voice is available. It would have been great if users were offered a few alternatives, as well as the possibility of altering the speech volume and speed.

A few negative aspects worth mentioning

First-time users should find Computer Buddy to be fairly intuitive, but it would have been great if a user manual were available. Also, while the UI layout is straightforward enough, the program is somewhat outdated from a visual standpoint.
When altering the sound volume, it can only be increased or decreased by 30, an increment which we found to be too large. Sadly, this value cannot be modified.
Overall, Computer Buddy is a promising utility that could use a few improvements, but it is a great choice for those who need to control the volume of their PCs or Windows tablets even when they are not at their desks.