For a few weeks I’ve been using the new Dragon NaturallySpeaking voice recognition software and I’m a real convert! Very rarely does a piece of technology WOW me as much as this has.
Why?
It just works so well. I’ve tried voice recognition software for over 10 years with varying degrees of success but I’ve never found a system that worked well enough to justify using it every day.
This software works on Mac and PC and it installs easily and integrates well across the system. I use a pretty cheap headset with a microphone and picks up my voice clearly and easily and converts it with almost 100% accuracy especially after running the profiling system.
Even as a reasonable typist I find that I can communicate my thoughts more clearly without distraction of having to physically type. I simply speak slowly and deliberately and call out my punctuation between the words. Some studies show that speaking is up to 3 times faster than typing for an average user.
Uses
I can see so many applications for this software in education at all ages and in professional life. Obviously having a nice private and quiet workspace helps a great deal as it can be pretty annoying for co-workers if ever I was reading out their emails … But for me it’s perfect.
Some children with learning difficulties are getting great results with this software as they are able to free their thoughts by verbalising them.I still use the keyboard. I make quick corrections and even add some punctuation like brackets and moving the curser or around. The software can handle all of these things but I find it quicker and more convenient to still use the mouse and keyboard and let the software focus on what I am actually trying to say.So I’ve written this article almost without touching the keys on my keyboard and I only had to go back and correct a few small things.
I can see so many applications for this software in education at all ages and in professional life. Obviously having a nice private and quiet workspace helps a great deal as it can be pretty annoying for co-workers if ever I was reading out their emails .. But for me it’s perfect.
Demo Video (play full screen)
I’ve recorded this short video to show you how the software works live. I’ve left errors in so you can see them and how quick and easy it is to correct them.
Tech Dad’s Tips
- My cheap headset has a mute button which I find particularly helpful if I want to speak to somebody without it being converted to text.
- Speaking slowly and deliberately really helps with accuracy and allows you to gather your thoughts between phrases
- You can turn the software on and off with voice commands too
- The software will learn people’s names and particular words by analysing your emails and documents. You are in control of which documents it learns from and when
Special Offer
Visit www.getdragon.com.au and buy before the 31st January to receive a 10% discount and go in the draw to win an iPhone 6!
