>The two-chip arrangement mentioned above is familiar to me but I
>can't remember the device numbers.

I think the other part number was CTS256:  it was a micro with a
text-to-speech algorithm in ROM,  and maybe a UART.

>Unfortunately, I haven't seen the SPO256 chip for a while. The last
>price for these before they disappeared was 2.5 pounds stirling
>(4 dollars US???). Cheap, I suppose, because of popularity; I don't
>know why they vanished.

They were made by General Instruments <doffing hat>.  Perhaps
a certain company,  well-known to members of the list,  acquired the
rights to those chips,  too?  Nah...

>I have two or three of these but I have to hang
>on to them. I'd be interested if a supplier was found.....

I've seen references to B.G. Micro (in Texas) when people
ask on Usenet about these.  I haven't bought from them in
years,  though,  so I don't have a catalog,  and can't confirm it.

Ran