Nowadays, it’s all about voice apps and their effective use. Both speech recognition and speech analytics have evolved; these are two related yet very different disciplines. Each one uses voice functionality that proves to be of value in many contexts, including contact centers where they can be used to improve customer service.
Such voice-enabled applications have seen rapid growth in the call center industry to provide better customer experiences, an EnterpriseAppsToday posting explained; they provide a new interface for users to have the computer do something just by using vocal commands.
Wouldn’t it be nice to control the computer by voice? Well, speech recognition, a technology that allows the computer to identify and understand words spoken by a person using a microphone, makes it possible. In fact, there are many software programs on the market that will allow the user to control the computer by voice. Some are even available for free on the Internet.
There are many speech recognition programs to choose from on the market, and it could be a challenge to choose the most practical for the use intended; all software have their own characteristics. Here are five such programs worth mentioning:
Dragon NaturallySpeaking: This is software that offers a dictation solution to create and edit documents or email without typing. Rather than focusing on typing, the user, instead, is able to concentrate on what to say; therefore, the person can gather thoughts and ideas at ease while comfortable and even relaxing in a chair, for instance.
Windows Speech Recognition: Microsoft (News - Alert) has made this a built-in OS feature for Win 7 and Win 8 machines. This is not the first time the company has developed software for users to record voice commands; in fact, it was also made available in Windows Vista and Office XP. As for Win7/8, there’s nothing to install. Within moments, after going to the systems control panel first to set up the microphone, one can start dictating whatever they want in Word as soon as the user sets the recognition engine on. The user can also go to the Start menu and, in the search box, type speech recognition to enable the feature. Furthermore, Microsoft provides a built-in tutorial to get people started: It introduces all the basic commands, explains basic tools like the corrections features, and how to adapt one’s voice to be recognized, to name a few of the items covered.
Google (News - Alert) Voice Search: Google has made searching online much easier and faster by offering a free voice function for Google Chrome users, which works on multiple platforms. All one needs is a built-in or attached microphone and the app will allow one to speak and search terms. Once the app recognizes the users’ voice and words spoken, it will show on the screen what was heard and understood. Search results are provided quickly, and responses/answers are heard loud and clear.
This is a free downloadable app found on Google’s website. Unfortunately, the Voice Search app is available for US English only. It is said to pick up English voice commands of non-native people as well.
TalkTyper: This is a free online app that uses the Google voice algorithm (requires Google Chrome) to give users the chance to dictate their text. Once the user’ words are said, the app provides the dictation on the screen where five options are available: The person can copy the text to the clipboard, email the text, print the text, tweet it, and/or translate it into another language.
It is an app that works with Linux, Mac and Windows platforms. Critics, however, say that it will only perform simple actions and has trouble with some accents. It’s good for shorter spoken content.
Tazti: It’s a different kind of voice recognition app; it is able to control PC commands, launch programs, start media player, browse the Web, and activate games with the user’s voice. Users can even customize commands to be understood and obeyed. One of its drawbacks, however, is that it won’t let people dictate text to a document. It is free to try for 15 days; afterwards, it costs $40.
After testing all five apps, PCWorld said the Dragon NaturallySpeaking program beats the competition. In their own words, “No one has conquered the Dragon”!
In sum, although no app known to date has 100 percent accuracy, many do, however, make out over 90 percent of the words when spoken under specific constraints. This accuracy is the result of training the PC or device to recognize the voice of the user.
For some computer users, speaking is faster and easier as well as more intuitive than typing on the keyboard. Once the chosen software is installed and the setup of the microphone is done, all that is left to do is, basically, just begin speaking.
Edited by Rory J. Thompson