I understand it's tricky, but why did Google decide to begin the first word after a question mark with a lowercase letter, when it could have predicted I was beginning a new sentence? Neither is as convenient as a keyboard.Ĭapitalization is also a persistent problem. Adding commas, periods, question marks and colons works well enough, but for quotation marks, iOS fumbles sometimes and Google is even worse. Speech recognition still has a long way to go in handling punctuation. Google Docs has built-in voice typing, though only in Google's Chrome browser. With one hand working fine, I also didn't need features like Apple's AssistiveTouch, which helps people use touch screens. I didn't explore features like Voice Access on Android or Voice Control on iPhones, features that let you control devices by voice commands. Unfortunately, it works only in Google Chrome.ĭictation is only scratching the surface of today's accessibility technology. It goes beyond ordinary smartphone dictation with voice control abilities to format text, move the cursor, select words and delete characters and perform other actions. With laptops, I quickly gravitated toward Google Docs' built-in transcription, which worked the best for me when it came to accuracy, typing paragraphs of text, and integrating with keyboard operations.
I haven't been able to thoroughly try Microsoft's built-in speech-to-text technology. Google's Chrome OS has built-in voice dictation ability, but it listens for only a short time and therefore is best for quick bursts of text. Apple advises limiting your speech to 40-second blocks. With my MacBook I have to restart dictation every couple sentences or so, which can derail my train of thought. I find it more reliable with word comprehension, spelling and capitalization. I prefer Google's dictation technology to Apple's. Google says its research shows voice typing is three times faster than tapping words out on a phone keyboard. When you're talking to a microphone, however, phones often can match PCs.
For touch typists, tiny phone screens are no match for a laptop keyboard. One surprise for me was discovering that speech-to-text technology narrows the productivity gap between smartphones and laptops. With my busted clavicle, I've now embraced it for every task that involves typing. For years, I've used dictation technology for quick text messages or email responses while on the go.
#BEST FREE DICTATION SOFTWARE FOR MAC ANDROID#
AI-based dictation is built into my Android phone, my iPhone, my MacBook, my Chromebook, some of my web browsers and my Windows laptop.
It's a great example of artificial intelligence, technology based in part on how human brains work. During that period, I quickly grew to appreciate dictation technology, also called voice typing and speech recognition. It took two weeks before I could type on a laptop with both hands. Even after surgery, which dramatically eased my pain and improved my range of movement, I'm still mostly one armed. The break significantly limits my ability to use my right arm and hand. Fractured collarbones are a classic injury for cyclists who extend one arm while falling. I crashed, my ego is sad to report, while mountain biking on a very easy trail. My frustration at being unable to lift a box or tighten my belt contrasts with the liberation I feel seeing my words almost magically appear on a screen as I speak.
After two weeks with my arm in a sling, and at least four more to go, I have a much better appreciation for what accessibility technology offers people who have longer-term disabilities.
0 kommentar(er)
