Voice Recognition Software Full Story

The Dragon brand has been developed and owned by multiple corporations. Nuance Communications, Inc. has been the developer, marketer and distributor of the Dragon products since it acquired ScanSoft in October 2005. Adding to the confusion, Nuance also markets the only semi-competing products, which are still called IBM ViaVoice. Nuance offers multiple editions in each product line. As ViaVoice hasn't been updated in more than five years, a couple of reviewers speculate that Nuance apparently does not intend to have these product lines compete with each other. The company can upgrade Dragon and increase the computer capability required for running it, while still offering an alternative for users of older or less-capacitated computers. Based on stability issues mentioned in several reviews, running Dragon NaturallySpeaking requires significant computer horsepower (at least 512 MB of RAM and 1 GB of free hard-drive space).

The same stratification exists for Macintosh operating systems. Reviews say MacSpeech's Dictate (*Est. $165) is the only product made for contemporary Macintosh computers. Dictate is based on the Dragon software, but not as nuanced. IBM ViaVoice for Mac is the alternative for older Apple computers. ViaVoice is also available for Linux. If you have a dual-boot Macintosh running Windows XP, note that David Pogue of The New York Times recommends Dragon based on his trial.

The choice you have to make is less about which speech-recognition product to buy, and more about whether voice-recognition software is more efficient for your use than typing. Most reviews agree that voice-recognition software accuracy and ease of use have improved so much that it may finally be worth the investment of time and money. At 90 percent accuracy, you have to correct one mistake in every ten-word sentence. Reviewers say that correction is easy in Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 and Windows Speech Recognition, but each reviewer expresses an individual level of patience for interrupting flow. On average, tested accuracy in reviews ranges from around 90 percent to 99.8 percent.

Several reviews note practical concerns. The type of writing you do may not be well suited to voice recognition. If you're a software engineer writing code or a sports reporter using lots of proper nouns (especially foreign names) and statistics, voice-recognition software is not likely to help you. If you work in a quiet cubicle area or a noisy environment, you also face challenges. Nuance sells specialty editions for the medical and legal professions.

What is voice-recognition software (VRS)?

Some experts assert that automatic speech recognition is erroneously called voice recognition, but both terms are accepted for common usage. Voice-recognition software (VRS) has two main functions. The first is spoken control of computer functions (e.g. "open Word" or "turn off microphone"). The second is to convert your spoken words to text in a computer program, especially Microsoft Word or Outlook/Outlook Express/Windows Mail. This means that you can create text without typing. When you speak through a microphone (most voice-recognition software programs include one), the software translates the sounds into written words.

VRS has always been a blessing for people who are temporarily or permanently unable to type, as well as for those who have difficulty typing due to a physical condition. The killer application that would allow any of us to dictate a stream of consciousness and flawlessly translate it remains elusive. Early programs used discrete speech technology, which meant you had to pause between words in order for the computer to understand them. The latest generation uses continuous speech technology, which allows you to speak more naturally, although most reviewers find that the software must catch up with them somewhat. With caveats about accuracy, nearly all reviewers say that talking is faster than typing as a means of entering text. Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 can process up to 160 words per minute.

All voice-recognition programs but Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 require an enrollment process, during which you read sample text out loud to train the speech-recognition software to understand your voice patterns. While most voice-recognition software users want a large vocabulary in their software, larger vocabularies require a more time-consuming training process. Because many words sound similar, you need to train the computer to understand how you pronounce them. The software learns from its mistakes and progressively improves.

Dragon NaturallySpeaking is the best voice-recognition software

Nuance claims a 99 percent accuracy rate for Dragon NaturallySpeaking, though reviews say 95 percent is probably closer to reality. In a review at PC Magazine, IBM ViaVoice reached only a 70 percent accuracy rate, and in tests at The Boston Globe, reviewer Naomi Aoki simply didn't get the same comic misinterpretations with NaturallySpeaking as she did with ViaVoice. With Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9, you can use natural language strings (e.g., "print file," "open browser") to edit documents and command your computer. Reviews say Dragon integrates easily with leading Windows applications, including Microsoft Word, Outlook Express, Internet Explorer and AOL Instant Messenger.

Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 is available in six different editions, all of which contain a microphone in addition to the software. The editions are Standard (*Est. $60) , Preferred (*Est. $145) , Preferred Mobile (*Est. $150) , Professional (*Est. $660) , Medical (*Est. $1,200) and Legal (*Est. $1,025) . The two least expensive versions are suitable for most users. All versions use the same speech-recognition engine, with differences in features and extended functionality. Rebates for Dragon voice-recognition software are frequent and could save you $40 or $50.

Dragon NaturallySpeaking Standard edition is designed for personal use, and you can dictate into web browsers, AOL Instant Messenger, Outlook Express, MS Word and WordPerfect. The Preferred edition adds compatibility with Microsoft Excel, as well as support for digital audio recorders. With a compatible device, you can dictate into a recorder or MP3 player, download the recording to your computer and have Dragon transcribe it into text. Very limited macro creation tools are included in the Preferred version. Macros let you create combined functions that can be executed by a single command.

Dragon NaturallySpeaking Professional adds support for MS Outlook, PowerPoint and Lotus Notes. The Professional edition also provides complete hands-free use of a PC, including mouse control by voice. The Medical and Legal editions allow professionals in those fields to streamline the transcription process, thereby saving time and money. Each comes with expanded vocabularies specific to those professions. The Medical version can be used with any of 13 different specialties. Some specialty modules for other types of professions can be purchased for the Professional edition.

IBM ViaVoice 10 has four editions. The Standard edition (*Est. $45) provides dictation and basic command-and-control features, along with simple Internet navigation. The Advanced edition (*Est. $75) provides support for some PDAs, plus dictation and command-and-control for many applications, including the Office XP suite. Macro "voice shortcuts" are included in the Advanced edition along with natural language commands and a voice mouse. The top-of-the-line ViaVoice Pro USB (*Est. $150) offers more customized templates and macro voice shortcuts. IBM ViaVoice for Mac OS X USB (*Est. $115) is not compatible with the latest version of OS X, according to reviews.

The overwhelming consensus in reviews is that IBM ViaVoice lags significantly behind Dragon NaturallySpeaking in overall accuracy and breadth of functions. That consensus extends back to versions 7 and 8 of Dragon. As discussed earlier, your choice of program will be dictated largely by your computer hardware and operating system. Still, the comparisons made by reviewers can help you decide if any edition of IBM ViaVoice is valid for your use. If you are running Windows XP, and you have sufficient RAM and a recent processor, you should opt for NaturallySpeaking over ViaVoice.

For Mac users, MacSpeech Dictate (*Est. $165) is more expensive and somewhat less capable than Dragon, according to the reviews we read. Although the program uses the Dragon engine, reviews say Dictate's interface is Mac-oriented and easy to use. Reviewers indicate the program is as accurate and easy to train as Dragon. However, it lacks capabilities like being able to edit with speech. The program has plenty of dissatisfied users, but the majority of owners are pleased with Dictate. The consensus is that it is radically better than the previous MacSpeech program called iListen. Users report a number of bugs that MacSpeech promises will be fixed in a free upgrade.

We did not find any professional or user reviews of Say-Now 3.8.12 ($14 after 30-day free trial), a shareware program that is available from many download sites. Say-Now is just a dictating program.

The Vista alternative

Neither Microsoft nor Apple has ever been content to let their operating systems be just that. Instead, they've progressively added their own versions of the most useful third-party software to new versions of the operating systems. While the speech-recognition tools in the Mac OS and past versions of Windows and Microsoft Office were not regarded as useful by reviewers, Windows Speech Recognition in Vista is nearly as accurate and easy to use as Dragon NaturallySpeaking, the leading third-party program.

Vista might be a Dragon slayer because it reduces the need for many people to buy a third-party speech-recognition program. Yet no full review or test shows that Windows Speech Recognition is better than Dragon.

The New York Times technology columnist David Pogue offers the most extensive comparison. He concludes of Windows Speech Recognition, "I don't find it quite as accurate as my beloved Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9." San Jose Mercury News reporter Larry Magid tried both programs while recovering from a broken elbow. He says that both programs are easy to train and use, and he achieved close to 99 percent accuracy with both voice-recognition software programs. Magid concludes that Dragon is more sophisticated and more versatile than Windows Speech Recognition. However, it's a little frustrating that he expresses no preference for either program.

The most favorable review of Windows Speech Recognition comes from an unlikely source: MacUser. Columnist Andy Ihnatko raves about a number of enhancements in Vista, but none more than Speech Recognition. He asserts, "Vista contains voice-recognition features that are actually meant to be used… Unlike the Mac OS, Vista's voice recognition isn't designed simply to deliver basic access to people with limited mobility in their hands and arms. Vista speech recognition is ambitious enough to provide a whole new mechanism of user interaction that everybody will want to use on a regular basis."

The most unfavorable review comes from Stephen Manes in Forbes magazine. Manes writes, "It did pretty well at understanding me…but my enthusiasm turned to dust when the software for correcting inevitable mistakes locked up repeatedly-- even when it understood what I was saying." Unfortunately, Manes doesn't reveal his computer's system configuration, so we don't know if an under-capacitated computer contributed to his problems. Manes previously reviewed Dragon NaturallySpeaking 8 for PC World and Forbes, and was very pleased with that older version.

Voice-recognition software for PDAs and phones

A couple of products on the market work with PDAs and smartphones. Microsoft Voice Command 1.6 (*est. $35) lets owners of PocketPCs, PDAs and smartphones (running Windows Mobile 2003 and Windows Mobile 2003 Phone Edition) to perform many hands-free functions, such as looking up contacts and calendar information, operating MP3 and media-player functions, and voice dialing. While owners say it works well enough, Voice Command can't transcribe e-mail or text messages. Reviews at CNet.com say it does work well for its intended functions, however.

VoiceSignal VoiceMode is included in many Motorola, Nokia, Panasonic and Samsung cell phones. You can't purchase VoiceMode separately, but if you own (or buy) one of these phones, you can use VoiceMode to transcribe text and e-mail messages. Other voice-command capabilities include hands-free dialing.