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Introduction #
New to voice recognition and dictation? Then this article is for you!
You can quickly enter text into your device using voice recognition if it supports dictation. Accuracy varies depending on the device, your accent, how quickly you talk, the degree of background noise, and the nature of the subject. It’s typical to achieve around 90% accuracy, so check the resulting text and fix any mistakes.
When Is Dictation A Good Idea? #
- You need to enter a lot of descriptive text on a mobile device that does not have a physical keyboard.
- You cannot be overheard, so you can dictate sensitive information freely.
- The text contains fairly standard words, so voice recognition is likely to be successful.
- Your mobile device supports dictation offline or you have WIFI, 5G, or 4G connectivity available.
- The environment is quiet, and background noise will not interfere with voice recognition.
When Is Dictation Not A Good Idea? #
- You only need to enter a few words on a mobile device, and typing will be quicker.
- You can be overheard, so avoid sensitive information issues and type the text.
- The text contains a lot of obscure technical terms, which some voice recognition might struggle with.
- No WIFI, 5G, or 4G connectivity, and your phone relies on this for dictation.
- There is very loud background noise, which can interfere with voice recognition.
Who Are You Writing For? #
Writing for yourself, then you can use shorthand notes and poor or none existent punctuation. However, if you are looking to produce once-and-done text for other stakeholders you may need more discipline!
Voice Recognition Basics #
In a few minutes, you can master the basics, but it might take longer to achieve maximum accuracy. Construct both words and punctuation as they are to be read, not spoken in conversation. Remember to say “Full stop”, “Comma”, “Question Mark” and “Explanation Mark”. You may need a bit of practice to master this habit. Check and correct your text before you move on. This will mean that you will have to do less rework at the review stage.
Android Voice Recognition #
With an Android device, speech recognition can be turned on while you’re typing. A microphone icon will be present on the keypad if this feature is available. Voice recognition can be turned on by tapping the microphone icon. Observe the directions that are displayed. Once complete, click the keyboard symbol to go back to the keypad.
Apple Voice Recognition #
With an Apple mobile device, speech recognition can be turned on while you’re typing. A microphone icon will be present on the keypad if this feature is available. Voice recognition can be turned on by tapping the microphone icon. Observe the directions that are displayed. Once complete, click the keyboard symbol to go back to the keypad. Some newer apple devices have offline voice recognition for some languages.
