Friends, we continue our detailed review of some of the innovations that Windows 10 has acquired since the introduction of the major Fall Creators Update. And in this article I would like to pay attention to the updated touch keyboard of the operating system. It has been radically redesigned and updated with new features. The updated touch keyboard supports Swype mode - when you can slide while typing, i.e. swipe with your finger or stylus without lifting it from the keyboard. As it has long been possible to do on mobile devices. The touch keyboard of Windows 10 has also been replenished with the function of voice input of text. If we talk about desktops and laptops, the addition of such an opportunity is, in fact, the only useful innovation in the Fall Creators Update in this part of the system's functionality. However, with regular voice data entry, not everything is so simple.

The ability to speak into the microphone instead of manually typing characters on the keyboard in the Windows 10 environment is provided only for the English language. Microsoft promises to add other recognition languages ​​in the future, but so far we have only what we have. This is, of course, a serious limitation, and, accordingly, only those who know English well and work with typing in this language on a serious scale will be able to use this function. Nevertheless, the function is interesting, let's consider how to use it.

On the Windows taskbar, call the context menu and check the box "Show touch keyboard button".

The touch keyboard will now be constantly displayed in the system tray, from where it can be launched at any time. When switching the layout to English, an icon in the form of a microphone will appear on the keyboard. For dictation, you need to open any text input field (any text editor installed in the system, any program form, any web form in the browser window). Well, actually, start speaking into the microphone.

An important point: voice typing will be possible only when speech services are not disabled in the system. This can be checked in the Settings app by going to the Privacy section. The Speech, Handwriting, and Typing tab should display a button to turn off Speech Services. Accordingly, this means that the services are currently enabled.

Otherwise, the Enable Speech Services button will be displayed. And, therefore, it must be included.

Hello dear readers! Before you is the most unusual article of our blog, because when writing it, voice typing was used. Therefore, today we will discuss how to type text with your voice.

This is a method of typing using speech that is transmitted through a microphone. This topic is very relevant for those who work with large volumes, for example, bloggers, as well as people with disabilities. Or for those who have not yet mastered the computer keyboard.

Voice dialing services

There are services that work online, and there are programs that are installed on a computer.

Online Services

• Speechpad

This is a free development of Google Chrome, which, accordingly, works only in this browser. I think there will be no problems with this, because this is the best browser, and if you still do not use it, then read the article about. Notepad can be installed directly in the browser or you can use voice typing by going to their website.

• Voisnot II

Similar to the previous service, also works only in Google Chrome. Using it is elementary: we select the desired language and the application prints itself under dictation.

• August4u

• Talk Typer

The advantages of this free service are the presence of voice prompts, the ability to view recognition options. There is also a convenient editor with which you can copy the received material, print it on a printer, translate it into foreign languages ​​or send it by mail.

To use dialing without touching the keyboard, you need to open the tab "Tools”, and then click on “Voice input…”

Various commands for editing and formatting are currently only available in English, but are supported for Russian punctuation commands:

• "dot",
• "comma",
• "Exclamation point",
• "question mark",
• "new line",
• "new paragraph"

As practice has shown, it is very convenient.

Programs

• Voco

A paid program that, using voice, not only prints on a computer and sets punctuation marks, but also pleases with additional options: it can audio, you can also expand the version with dictionaries (for example, with legal terms or others).

Supported by operating systems starting with Windows 7 and above.
Price: from 1,690 rubles.

• MSpeech

It is free and can satisfy the ambitions of many users. Its attraction lies in the fact that it can recognize the voice in 50 languages. For convenient use, there are hot keys, you can choose the sound source yourself, correct the recognized text.

Pros and cons of voice dialing

Pros:

• Thanks to these applications, freelancers can make good money doing transcription. Many tasks of this kind can be found on Exchange Workzilla, is a favorite place for newcomers to remote work. You just have to turn on the program and correct the text in Word a little later.
• Saving time and effort.
• Great find for people with disabilities.
• For creative people, the above services are a lifesaver, all ideas can be quickly written down, simply by voicing them so as not to forget.

Unfortunately, there are minuses when using these services:

• If there are extraneous sounds in the room where you dictate, then the recognition of words and phrases deteriorates significantly.
• Many online applications are only available in the Google Chrome browser.
• After typing, you need to take time to edit and correct the text.
• It is necessary to have a high-quality sensitive microphone.
• It is desirable to have good diction in order to reduce the risk of errors.

Conclusion

Summing up this article, we can say that technology has stepped far forward, and if earlier everything had to be typed manually, now it is quite possible to do it simply by dictating information by voice. Of course, there is no guarantee of perfect recognition, but the progress is obvious.

With the development of applications that greatly facilitate the work of remote workers, you can achieve maximum productivity and faster tasks. Therefore, we hope that this article will help you become more effective in your work.

Leave your feedback about the work of various speech recognition services in the comments.

Good luck to you!

Ok Google is not only voice search!

TV ads suggest that the famous "OK Google" is the ability to specify a search query by voice. On computers, if you install the Google Chrome browser, there will also be such an opportunity - voice search.

But for owners of smartphones and tablets running the Android OS (Android), "OK Google" gives you much more options. "Okay Google" on Android allows you to control your smartphone using voice commands. You can make calls, send SMS and email without touching the touchscreen - completely or almost completely without hands!

• Call a person from the phone book.
• Send SMS to a subscriber from the phone book.
• Send Whatsapp message.
• Send a short e-mail to a subscriber from the phone book.
• Find out the weather.
• Launch the application.
• Open site.
• Find out the result of calculations (for example, 2 times 189).
• Learn the translation of a foreign word. Or translation from native to foreign.

This is an incomplete list. And besides this, "Ok Google" allows you to use voice input of text, instead of typing this text on the keyboard. That is, for example, you can dictate a full-fledged e-mail letter.

Term hint

• Tap, tap- short touch with your finger on the touch screen. Similar to left clicking on a computer.
• Long tap- Touch with finger hold. Similar to right clicking on a computer.
• Swipe- movement of a finger (or several) on the touch screen. Swipe, for example, scrolls the contents of the screen on mobile devices. Or the output of additional control panels (swipe from the top or from the side edge of the screen).

How to enable Android voice control

Voice control requires a permanent Internet connection! While this can work without the Internet to a limited extent, in this case the quality of your voice recognition will be so poor that it will actually be impossible to use voice control.

The "Google app" is most often already installed on the versions of Android used by smartphone manufacturers. "Google Speech Synthesizer" smartphone manufacturers install less often.

Checking their presence on your device is not difficult. Open "" and scroll through the list of applications:

If " Google app"is not in this list, then you need to install it from the Play Market.

Check installed or not speech synthesizer you can also through the settings (" Settings - Personal - Data - Language & input") there should be two options " Voice input" and " speech synthesis":

If both "Google App" and "Speech Synthesizer" are installed, then you can enable voice control in the settings.

First in the section Settings - Device - Applications" you need to make sure that the "Google App" is not disabled. And if it is disabled, then enable it.

After that, in the section Settings - Personal Data -Google"open settings screen" Search andGoogle Now":

This is how the screen looks like:

Then open the "Ok Google Recognition" screen. Here you need to specify the settings for "Ok Google Recognition":

• From the active "Google App". First, you will need to manually launch this application, for example with a shortcut from the Desktop, and then you can perform a voice command.
• If you enable the option " On any screen", then you can perform a voice command at any time when the screen is on. Even on the lock screen. You only need to say the phrase "Ok Google" to activate the Google voice assistant.

Voice typing (voice text)

If you tap on this icon, it will open the voice recognition screen:

However, the program adds spaces before these characters! Voice typing is absolutely real, but dictated text will have to be corrected manually. Unfortunately, the program cannot separate paragraphs yet, this will also need to be done manually.

How to download Android voice control

If your device does not have the required two applications, then you will need to install them through the Google Play Store. It's as easy as turning on the "Okay Google" service. However, there is one non-obvious aspect in this matter. This is the integration of the "Okay Google" service into the graphical shell of the device (launcher), so that Google's voice search is convenient to use.

There are launchers in which the "Okay Google" service is already integrated, for example, the Chinese "Launcher 3", which in particular is used in a custom Android called Freeme OS. However, not all launchers integrate the "Okay Google" voice assistant service.

And if your device has just such a launcher (Launcher), then it makes sense for you to try a launcher from Google called "Google Start". This launcher integrates not only the voice control of "OK Google", but also another technology of the company - "Google Now". At the same time, the launcher itself is very simple and compact - nothing more.

The "Ok Google" voice assistant, by default, in this launcher, is available on the start screen and on the "Google Now" screen. However, in the settings you can specify that voice control is available on any screen, including application screens and the lock screen.

Start screen of the "Google Start" launcher:

The "Google Now" screen in the "Google Start" launcher:

Apps Screen in Google Start Launcher:

She tells jokes, you can play cities with her. Uses all Google voice binding (synthesizer and speech recognition).

Alice Yandex uses her own speech synthesizer (not Google, unlike Dusi and Interlocutor). There are no settings in the program. Speech recognition is good. Be that as it may, allowance must be made for the fact that this is the "youngest" program of this type. As far as I know, it was only released in 2017. Given the seriousness of the developer, we can assume that she may have a good future.

Microsoft Cortana. Yes, Cortana is also available for Android. However, she only understands English and only speaks English herself. At the same time, the set of commands it has is less than in "Okay Google". Cortana has the functionality of an interlocutor, but the interlocutor from her is useless. She does not shine with intelligence and a sense of humor. For example, to the request "OK Google", Cortana answers corny - "Google is ok, but this is Cortana". But the main problem is of course the English language. You need to have a pretty good American pronunciation for her to understand you. It is easier with short phrases, but it is difficult for her to dictate long phrases (for notes, SMS, etc.).

You can't install Cortana directly. First you need to install "Microsoft Apps" and from this application you can install Cortana. You will need a Microsoft account!

high speed internet

In order to use voice control normally, your smartphone must have a stable and high-speed Internet connection. If the connection is at low speed or unstable, then it will not be control, but hassle.

Ivan Sukhov, 2016, 2017 .

If you found this article useful or just liked it, then don't be shy - support the author financially. This is easy to do by throwing money on Yandex Wallet № 410011416229354. Or on the phone +7 918-16-26-331 .

Even a small amount can help writing new articles :)

When working on the Internet, you often need to print texts. Not only bloggers and copywriters do this, but marketers, webmasters, SEOs and professionals from other fields need to write texts.


Even drafting a TOR for a copywriter forces you to press keys on the keyboard.

Voice typing programs make this task easier. Someone will say that they were created for the lazy and inexperienced, and in part this will be true. The fact is that software does not recognize individual words well enough and you have to clearly pronounce everything, and this reduces the speed of typing.

Voice typing on a computer

No wonder it was launched. Users do not need to press buttons, they can simply speak the desired request.

It is not difficult to clearly pronounce a few words, so this is suitable for this purpose. As for writing articles, you have to practice. Also, it is worth trying several programs to choose the right option.

Go to, select the language and click on the icon with a microphone:

After that, permission to use the microphone is requested. It can be separate or built into the webcam:

Allow the browser to use the microphone and start speaking. They immediately appear in the main part of the page, from where they can be easily copied and transferred, for example, to Word.

2. Voice dialing online at. This service is distinguished by the presence of additional buttons. With their help, you can quickly clear the text input field, as well as transfer the finished text to Google Drive, download in txt format or send by e-mail:

In general, the system is no different. You go to the site, select START DICTATION (after choosing the language) and a notification appears where you need to give permission to use the microphone:

The interface is simple and the design is nice. It is with this service that it is possible to achieve good recognition, but the reviews are twofold.

3. Voice typing with . The Russian language in this foreign service is recognized without problems. It has a lot more functionality. The resulting text is checked for punctuation marks and errors. It is very convenient that the words that the program could not recognize accurately are highlighted.

By clicking on them, you can select other proposed options:

There is also a tool for quickly translating text into any language or its reproduction. There are many ways to send a document. The only inconvenience is that after entering text by voice, you need to click on the arrow to move it to the second field.

4. Voice dialing program. Despite the modest design, this service perfectly copes with its task and offers the most advanced functionality. The site has video tutorials on using the system, and it is also suggested to download a browser plug-in.

Speechnotes is an efficient online speech-based notepad designed to bring your ideas to life with a clean and efficient design, while keeping you fully focused on your thoughts.
We strive to provide the best online dictation tool, using advanced speech recognition technology for the most accurate results that modern technology can provide, along with the inclusion of built-in tools (automated or manual), which ensures user efficiency, productivity and comfort.

Works completely online in your Chrome browser. No download, installation or even registration required, so you can get started right away.

Designed to help develop your creativity and keep you focused

Speechnotes is specifically designed to give you a distraction-free work environment.
Each note starts with a new blank white sheet. Such a clean, fresh start helps stimulate your mind. All other elements, except for the text itself, fade out of view, helping you to focus on the most important part - your own creativity.
In addition, speaking instead of typing allows you to think and speak fluently, which also promotes creative, clear thinking. The fonts and colors throughout the app have been designed to be sharp and have excellent legibility characteristics.

Reviews and User Feedback

We have appeared quite recently and there is already an article about us in "ProductHunt" and other international magazines about modern technologies. But what we are most proud of is the feedback from our users. Speechnotes is the highest rated speech recognition app in the Chrome store, over 4.5 stars! Higher than other online alternatives. Here are some of the user reviews we received on the Chrome Store:

"I would like to say that I am very pleased with this dictation plug in. It is better and much more accurate than the other two that I have tried. This is definitely my preferred dictation app.
In fact, I wrote this review using the app.
Thumbs up to the developers!!"

"It does what it says on the tin...& more. Priceless.
Tony Hawes. Whose faith has been restored in Apps by this one."

And there are many more. Read all of them on the Chrome store

Thanks a lot! Your feedback gives us great motivation to keep developing the very best solutions.

Free Alternative to Dragon Naturally Speaking App

Speechnotes is completely free and is comparable in accuracy to Dragon Natuarlly Speaking. Many of you think that in some respects, it even surpasses the Dragon app. It should be noted, however, that Speechnotes is an alternative to Dragon for dictation purposes only, and not for voice commands to other software and voice typing in other software. Dragon has these additional features. If you need to, for example, dictate an article, you will find Speechnotes not only cheaper, but perhaps even better.

Built-in key features to increase productivity and efficiency for both voice and standard keypad typing

For many of us, typing with the keyboard is a slow process and thus time consuming. Speechnotes lets you type at speech speed (slow and clear speech).
Speechnotes allows you to seamlessly transition from voice input (dictation) to typing on the keyboard. So you can dictate when it's convenient and type when you see fit. You can also dictate and edit your text right away, and still dictate. There is no need to adjust application modes or even stop dictation.
Insert punctuation marks with speech (voice commands) or with a single click.

Other features built in for performance for both input types:
Autosave that saves the document in real time on any changes so you never have to worry about it.
Export to Google Drive (cloud) or download the document to your computer.
One click to email or print your note.
Automatic "smart" capitalization at the beginning of sentences.
No sign-in, registration, installation or download required. Works "right out of the box". So, where are all the autosaved notes stored? Speechnotes saves all your data to your computer using your browser. The advantage is that you don't have to log into your account. The disadvantage is that you cannot access these documents from other computers. To do this, Speechnotes allows you to export documents to Google Drive. Another small drawback is that after creating numerous notes, you may not have free storage space, so it is recommended to delete unnecessary old notes from time to time.
Unlimited free use.

Leading Technology

Speechnotes is based on Google's high performance speech recognition platform. In fact, your entire speech is sent to Google and interpreted there using powerful parallel servers and algorithms, and then sent back to Speechnotes as a stream of possible transcription results. With the right handling of these results and the command set for the Speech-to-Text platform, we can achieve results that are as accurate as even the most professional and expensive software available on the market. Add to that one-click punctuation, voice commands and smart caps, and you have one of the most advanced applications.
Quantitatively, the expected level of accuracy is above 90%.

Useful Benefits of Voice Typing

Sitting in front of a computer in general can lead to different types of sustained stress injury (RSI). To avoid them, it is recommended not to sit in front of the computer for long periods of time. But, if you have no other choice, you should pay attention to your posture. You can read more about it Voice typing is one of the main recommended ways to minimize these risks, as it allows you to sit comfortably with your arms, hands, shoulders and back free in general. You can return to typing after you have finished dictating to make changes and edits.

Training:
Connect a high quality microphone to your computer (if you have a built-in microphone, it should also be of good quality).

Application:
1) Click on the microphone icon
2) Only once: a pop-up window will appear in your browser asking you to allow the site to listen to your microphone. Click Allow.
3) Start dictating. Speak slowly and clearly. Separate your words and emphasize the correct pronunciation for better results.
4) Intermediate results will appear in the buffer. There are 3 ways to exit and move the transcription results from the clipboard to the text editor itself:
(a) Press the "Enter" button on the keyboard
(b) Speak or click on the punctuation mark
(c) Wait

Troubleshooting:
The most common causes of failures:
1) Microphone hardware issue
2) Using another browser instead of Chrome
3) Listening permission not granted
4) Chrome is "listening" to the wrong microphone
To fix the last 2 issues, you have to click on the little camera icon in the browser's address bar (appears after clicking on the microphone icon), set Permission for speechnotes, and select the correct microphone from the drop-down list.

Who might need Speechnotes?

Anyone who is tired of the usual typing using the keyboard will need the Speechnotes app. It can also be especially helpful for people who have difficulty typing. Such difficulties may be the result of physical condition or simply not mastering the technique of typing on the keyboard at a sufficiently early age.
Also, people who do a lot of typing for their profession or hobby might find Speechnotes a very useful app, as prolonged typing on the keyboard can be very tedious and even have medical side effects. Needless to say, stenographers (from students to professionals) will find Speechnotes super useful, as they can listen to the recording and repeat the speech into a microphone, and Speechnotes will transcribe it for them.

Compatibility and system requirements

Speechnotes is a truly wide-platform application. It works with the Chrome browser. There is no need for installation, disk space or high-end machines. It works perfectly on PC, desktop, laptop and Chromebook. You can try it on your tablets and phones, but some devices may have issues.

Confidentiality

At Speechnotes, we value your privacy, which is why we don't store what you say or type, or any other data about you. Your speech is sent to the Google transcription platform.

Disclaimer

Although we try our best, the results of the speech may not be accurate. In addition, Speechnotes is an AS-IS service and we cannot guarantee that this will continue in the future. For this reason, as well as the existence of a small chance of a software failure, we suggest that you export your important texts either to Google Drive or to your computer in order to protect yourself from unexpected data loss. We will not be held liable for any loss of data or inaccuracies.

We value your opinion and support

Speechnotes was developed in 2015 by the teams of Speechlogger and TTSReader to help people around the world reproduce their thoughts, stories and notes in an easier and more convenient way. That's why Speechnotes is a free and accessible online application for everyone. We learned about the need for such a software tool through feedback emails from our users. If you have any feedback, ideas or requests, please contact us, we will be more than happy to hear from you.
If you like Speechnotes, please support us by rating our app in the Chrome store, sharing with your friends, or tagging us on your posts and blogs. Your friends and followers will also appreciate it. You can also contribute by making a small donation (buy me a coffee style).

Speechnotes - Dictation Notepad

Professional speech recognition text editor. Accurate, free, easy to use and unlimited.

All rights throughout the world belong to the owner. Copying or use of code, style, names and any content without the written permission of the owner is prohibited ( [email protected]~~HEAD=pobj). You can demonstrate using Speechnotes, provide feedback, and more. Thank you.