
See Ray Kurzweil’s How To Create A Mind, for starters). (The history of the development of this technology is fascinating. The better examples allow more granular control of the text-creating-process (as opposed to the voice-to-text option available on most smartphones and tablets). Voice dictation software like that which has been available from Dragon for years ( this, for example–affiliate link) depend on voice recognition developed by, among other tools, IBM’s Watson (named after IBM’s founder Thomas J Watson). Not all voice dictation is created equal, however. Speech-to-text features or apps also should not be confused with text-to-speech tools, sometimes known as screen readers, which read text on the screen to you aloud.Voice dictation is simply voice-to-text–that is, the ability to use your voice to ‘type,’ letting the software turn your voice into words.Īs this technology improves, from voice search to voice dictation and voice control, its applications become more numerous and powerful.

You can add punctuation by saying the name of the punctuation out loud-for example, "period," "comma," or "open quote" and "end quote."

You talk to your computer or mobile device and immediately see the words on the screen. Dictation software, meanwhile, is a way to use your voice to type in real time. Transcription software is typically for transcribing meetings or recordings, sometimes of multiple people, and generally after the fact. It's called VoiceOver on macOS and Speech Recognition in Windows.ĭon't confuse speech-to-text software with transcription software, either, even if the categories overlap. Both macOS and Windows have voice control included. Voice control is the accessibility feature that lets you open programs, select on-screen options, and otherwise control your device using only your voice. Speech-to-text software is different from voice control software, although some apps do both. Speech-to-text software, also sometimes called dictation software, makes it possible, by turning what you say into typed text. Typing isn't easy or even possible for everyone, which is why you might prefer to talk.


How to Block Robotexts and Spam Messages.
