Voice recognition software free mac
Dragon is a hefty investment. If you're committed to working hands-free, however, it's worth it because it's the most accurate dictation tool we've found. Dragon desktop products are available in several languages, which vary by version, and include Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish. Gboard, available for both Android and iOS, is a powerful keyboard app that includes a dictation tool.
Press and hold the spacebar, and you can dictate at length. Gboard transcribes everything you say in real time and without a time limit, although you need an internet connection to use it. Be warned that Gboard is fast. It will cut you off if you take too long of a breath or even pause for a moment. Its speed is both its strength and its weakness, as it scored the lowest in accuracy of all our apps likely because it forces the speaker to rush through the text. In transcribing a word passage, Gboard flubbed about 20 percent of it. Gboard works fast, but it pushes you to speak fast, too, which may not be your cup of tea.
The Free Option – Built-in OS X Dictation
In getting the hang of it, I found myself rushing and not breathing at a natural rhythm. Use Gboard when you need speed, and when you're dictating a few short ideas at a time. Not counting different dialects separately, Gboard supports 47 languages: Google Docs contains a built-in tool for dictation and voice-driven editing. Turn it on from the Tools menu, and a microphone appears on your document. Click the mic to start and stop dictation mode. Similar to Dragon, Google Docs Voice Typing gives you plenty of voice commands for formatting, editing, and navigating the page as you write.
For example, you can say "create bulleted list," "select word," or "go to end of paragraph. It's a solid option if you work primarily in Google Docs and are looking for free dictation software. Voice Typing is an incredibly helpful tool if you use Google Docs avidly, but it doesn't work anywhere else.
Best Voice Recognition Software
That said, it's one of the only free voice dictation apps that gives you a wide range of commands for editing and formatting. Not counting different dialects separately, Google Docs Voice Typing supports dictation in 62 languages; voice commands for editing are only available in English: Do more with Google Docs by learning 40 tips for Google Docs power users. ListNote Speech-to-Text Notes is one of the most popular speech recognition apps for Android in the Google Play store, with more than 26, downloads. It combines the classic notepad functionality with voice dictation, using your phone's built-in Google Voice Search to turn voice to text while recording the audio at the same time.
The app saves each recording as a searchable note that you can categorize and color code. You can share these notes via email, text, and to any other supported app you have installed, as well as play the recorded audio while reading the transcribed text to check it. ListNote also offers a handful of unique features, like the "Time to Breathe" option that lets you choose how long to wait before stopping speech input.
It offers password protection as well, plus backup and encryption options. In using ListNote to transcribe a word passage, the app had six small errors that were easy to correct, but missed a few words in a row in three places. On Android, ListNote is a speedy text-to-speech app that doesn't have a time limit. It's a good option if you need a free app that you can use quickly and easily, and if you don't mind making a few corrections when finished.
Supports all languages offered in Google's dictation services see Gboard entry. If you're looking for a similar option on Windows and iOS, you can use the Microsoft OneNote mobile app to record your voice, and then switch to the Window app to run an Audio Search to find words in it. The app doesn't transcribe the full text, however. Speech Recogniser is a dictation powerhouse.
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You can use it to not only dictate but also translate text into more than 26 languages. The app also lets you post directly to Facebook or Twitter, copy your transcribed text to other apps, and send text via email. Once you install and open Speech Recogniser, you choose a source language on the home screen and tap the start button to activate the dictation. When you're done, a new screen appears with your text.
You can then translate, share, or even playback your recording. It's a quick way to jot down transcribed notes and even translate them into another language when you need. Not counting dialects separately, Speech Recogniser supports 25 languages: If you use a Windows 10 device, you're probably already familiar with Cortana, the AI voice recognition assistant from Microsoft. Cortana works in tandem with another tool called Windows 10 Speech Recognition, which is used for dictation and operating your device.
In testing, dictation worked without a hitch in Notepad and Word, two apps made by Microsoft, but not at all in Evernote or Google Docs. Make sure the apps you want to use are supported before investing too much time in this tool. Speech Recognition uses two different on-screen interfaces, depending on how what you're doing. There's one interface for dictation shown above and a separate one for voice commands, like opening programs and scrolling pages. Speech Recognition improves the more you use it. You can optionally allow Windows to scan your typed documents to get a better sense of your linguistic choices.
Mac OS X - Free Speech Recognition Dictation Software, Tutorials & Download
As mentioned, Cortana is the other piece of the Windows speech recognition puzzle. Saying, "Hey, Cortana," wakes up this AI assistant, and you can ask it to search online, open apps, save short notes, and look up directions. In transcribing words, Windows Speech Recogniser had 12 errors. More than half were related to capitalization, and two were incorrect words. Windows Speech Recognition and Cortana together offer a compelling dictation package for people who run Windows and use Microsoft apps. If you compose in many apps not made by Microsoft, you may want to look for another option, however.
Not counting different dialects separately, Windows Speech Recognition supports eight languages: Once you become experienced with it, a dictation tool can speed up your writing, potentially making you more productive. It lets you multitask, and some people find it helps them generate ideas rather than get stuck on revising and editing. Dictation software can be a necessary tool for people with accessibility issues or who are trying to prevent repetitive stress syndrome from typing, too. Dictation is not always right for every task, however.
It's ideal for writing speeches and spoken remarks. It turns list-making into an afterthought. But depending on what kind of writer you are and what you're producing, typing with your fingers may be your preferred route. If you find yourself diving headfirst into dictation and using some features to edit or control your computer using your voice, you may want to invest in top-of-the-line software, such as Dragon by Nuance.
Or, you may want to spend a half hour every day practicing and learning to use the tools that come with your operating system. If you're still dabbling, try a free dictation tool that's easily accessible, such as the one that came pre-installed on your smartphone. As you become more comfortable with voice recognition technology, you can use it for anything you like on whatever device you have at hand. You just might get hooked. Originally published April 14, by Emily Esposito; updated in and Microphone photo by Antoine Beauvillain via tookapic.
Writer Jill Duffy has been covering technology broadly since the early s and productivity in particular since Follow her jilleduffy. Comments powered by Disqus. Zapier is the easiest way to automate powerful workflows with more than 1, apps. Email me about new features. By signing up, you agree to Zapier's Terms of Service. The Best Dictation Software for Advice on Microphones To use dictation software, you need a microphone. About the Author Writer Jill Duffy has been covering technology broadly since the early s and productivity in particular since Load Comments Take the Work out of Workflow Zapier is the easiest way to automate powerful workflows with more than 1, apps.
Try Zapier Free Email me about new features. Interestingly, Braina can recognize unusual vocabulary and understand most medical, legal and scientific terms. NCH's Express Dictate is proof that a program can be both powerful and intuitive at the same time. An expansive feature set and a simple UI make it the easiest to use dictation software out there. Express Dictate is essentially a voice recording software that works like a dictaphone. It records video with enhanced signal processing quality and can record to multiple formats, including.
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The software supports automatic non-destructive editing, with multiple recording modes like record-insert, record-overwrite and record-at-end. Voice-activated recordings mean long silences are not included, and you can assign priority to individual dictations. You can directly send recordings via e-mail or FTP, and also save them for later use. HIPAA-compliance ensures all recordings are encrypted, which makes Express Dictate perfect for recording secure client and patient data. You can also dock analog or digital handheld dictation recorders with the program, and transmit recordings made when you're away from the computer.
It's possible to attach additional notes and files to the recordings for better transcription, and built-in compression technology reduces the size of recording files for easier transmission online. Express Dictate lets you use hand controllers and foot pedals, and can even be controlled via system-wide hotkeys. Online productivity suites like Google Docs are getting more and more popular by the day.
That's not exactly surprising, given that they offer features like cloud synchronization and real-time collaboration. What's more, they can even convert speech to text. Yep, you read that right! If you do most of your typing work online, Google Docs is the best dictation software you can use. Among other features, Google's cloud-based word processor program also offers speech typing functionality.
The best thing is that you don't need to install any extra software or make any system-wide changes to take advantage of it. To use voice typing, log in to your account and open up a Google Doc. Now, select "Voice typing When you use voice typing for the first time, the browser will ask for your permission to use your computer's microphone. Once that's done, you'll see a Red-colored microphone icon on the left.
Simply start speaking naturally, and see your spoken words appear on the screen. For a free program, Google Docs voice typing works quite well. Just make sure you have a good-quality Internet connection. Millions of people around the globe use Apple's iPhones and iPads for their productivity needs. If that includes you, you don't need to look for any third-party dictation app, as iOS already has one.
The voice typing features of iOS have significantly improved over the last few generations specifically, version 8. Now, it's better than ever. What's best is that iOS's voice typing feature is integrated directly into the on-screen keyboard, so it's always available.
All iOS apps that support text input through the on-screen keyboard, support voice typing as well. This means that you can use your voice to write e-mails, create notes, reply to text messages and more. Simply tap on the microphone key on the keyboard, and start speaking. You can also speak keywords like "Period" and "New Paragraph" for a better dictation experience. Of these, Google's Gboard is certainly the best. Gboard is an on-screen keyboard app developed by Google.
It has many features such as text prediction, GIF support, and of course, voice typing. Once that's done, things get pretty straightforward. Launch the app e. Microsoft Word, Google Docs in which you would like to enter text, tap the microphone key on Gboard and start speaking. By Rajat Sharma.