For text-to-speech, the shortest path is paste, choose, play, download. The audio response becomes the current result and remains the source for both playback and export. If the service returns MP3, the file uses MP3. If it returns WAV, OGG, or WebM, NorSpeak keeps the matching type and extension. The download action does not make a hidden second synthesis request.
For Live, connecting moves attention to the voice state rather than a settings form. The orb begins idle, passes through connecting, and then responds to microphone and playback levels. Listening, thinking, and speaking remain visually distinct. Captions build in a left and right timeline so the user and assistant can be scanned separately. When timing data exists, a compact HUD reports time to first response and first audio.
Barge-in is part of the real interaction. If the user speaks while assistant audio is playing and the session cancels that audio, the orb flashes an interrupt ripple. The effect does not run for an ordinary microphone change. At the end, a single export action collects the transcript and the recording that actually exists. That makes the session useful for review, support notes, interviews, and product testing.