Dragon’s voice to text application for the iPhone has been as big as I expected it would be. It’s been covered by all of the major technology blogs, and I know just about no one who has an iPhone who hasn’t downloaded the application. (A number of them did so at my urging, but none have any regrets about following my advice.)
I was surprised to discover how many of the people I know who had not updated their iPhone’s to the current firmware, however. Dragon Dictation requires the latest firmware in order to function properly, but this also gave me the opportunity to encourage them to do the appropriate updates. The comments have ranged from “Oh my, oh my” to “I love this app” to “this is the best apps I’ve ever seen on the iPhone!” Okay, that last quote was from me. 
There have also been questions such as “Why is it that you can’t update your Facebook or Twitter status directly from the application?” I’m not sure why, but I hope that that is something that we will see in a future update.
Thankfully, the option to use the clipboard allows you to update those status says and more quite easily. Once you get the hang of using the clipboard feature it becomes second nature. It certainly has for me over the last weeks.
The comment that really got my attention, however, was one that observed that the application is anemic when compared to MacSpeech Dictate or Dragon NaturallySpeaking. I can’t disagree with that, but I will admit I actually find myself using the iPhone application far more than I do those applications — even though I have both.
Here’s why.
A. My iPhone is always with me. My MacBook isn’t.
There are times when I don’t have access to my notebook or my iMac but the iPhone is always there ready to quickly take some dictation and transcribe it in seconds.
B. Launch Speed
The iPhone application is incredibly quick to launch while the desktop applications take a few moments before they’re ready to use. In addition, the current version of MacSpeech Dictate requires you to either use a headset or be running an additional program if you want to use the built-in microphone on the iMac or MacBook Pro. While this isn’t a big deal it is certainly more complicated and takes longer than simply pulling out your iPhone, tapping the icon for Dragon Dictation and beginning to speak.
C. Accuracy
Personally I find the accuracy of Dragon Dictation on the iPhone to be as good or, at times, even better than the accuracy of the desktop applications. I’m not sure why this is the case but the application on the iPhone is remarkably accurate so long as I am speaking clearly.
D. Editing
While the iPhone application has limited options for editing compared to the desktop programs I actually find editing on it to be simple, accurate and straightforward. Any word that might not be correct is usually included in the correction box. You simply tap the problematic word, tap the correct word and move on. Going back over a piece of dictation and correcting it is quick, simple, and works beautifully.
My point is this- Dragon NaturallySpeaking and MacSpeech Dictate are excellent. Dragon Dictation for the iPhone, however, is no mere runner-up. It works well, is simple to use. And it is always ready to go. If you haven’t downloaded it yet… you should ! Grab it here for FREE.
I love it! I dictated an entire review last night and it was really accurate.
“Why is it that you can’t update your Facebook or Twitter status directly from the application?” If you're into voice recognition tools, take a look at Vlingo. You can update facebook and do google maps or google searches on vlingo etc. (No i am not affiliated with Vlingo. Just like the free app)
I think it's VERY important to warn people that this application currently uploads your contact information (names only, they say) to their servers without really asking your permission or offering an opt-out.
That's really not appropriate and it's disappointing, even it it was for a good reason (from their perspective). I do understand, however, that they are readying a new version that will offer an opt-out.
If you are at all sensitive about your privacy, I'd suggest waiting until that updated version rolls out.
Chris-
The point is well taken but as the iphone blog points out, (
http://www.theiphoneblog.com/2009/12/09/nuance-...)
if you use any email service you are already sharing way more information
than this. To quote them…
Of course, Nuance is storing all your transcriptions on their servers, which
while not dissimilar to Google, Microsoft, Yahoo!, or Apple storing all your
email, documents, location, etc. is an important factor for users to keep in
mind so as to make informed decisions about services and the companies
behind them….
The should make it clearer that they do this but let's bear in mind that the
only way to not share this data is to unplug completely.
The specific data itself really is not the issue – the point is that they did it without disclosure in a program that you wouldn't necessarily expect to be taking that kind of action. With email you KNOW you are sending address data. That is what it problematic here.