I would love to have a Speech recognition software enabled on my computer, which would enable me to carry out hands-free computing. Just imagine how easy it would be for me to open programs and even write my blog posts without using the keyboard or mouse.
It's not science fiction, the technology is actually already here. These systems are also not only about computing. You may not realise it but we are already using these applications in our everyday life. These include voice dialling on our mobile phones. For example, I just have to press a button and say my wife's name to call her on my mobile phone. Some companies are using simple data entry programs to automatically record your data (such as a credit card number) through the phone.
However, I feel that these technologies have benefited the disabled and visually impaired persons the most. They have enabled a lot of them to lead more independent and fulfilling lives.
Sometime back, I once tried out a dictation software which converted my spoken words into words. However, it made so many mistakes and I would have to edit it all over. In the end, I just removed the software. Now, I learn that that people are working on more sophisticated programs that will "remember" your voice and adjust to your accent.
Nuance.com is the largest supplier in the World. Among their big clients is AT&T. The company is using speech automation software from Nuance to automate its new 1-800-YellowPages (1-800-935-5697) Directory Assistance (DA) service.
One very popular desktop product for PC from Nuance is their Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9. It allows you to send e-mails and instant messages, surf the web, create documents - by just speaking into a microphone connected to your computer. The company claims that it is "up to 99% accurate, and often more accurate than typing". Their most astounding claim is that "it actually gets smarter the more you use it!"
You can actually try out the demo on their site. It's pretty amazing.
It's not science fiction, the technology is actually already here. These systems are also not only about computing. You may not realise it but we are already using these applications in our everyday life. These include voice dialling on our mobile phones. For example, I just have to press a button and say my wife's name to call her on my mobile phone. Some companies are using simple data entry programs to automatically record your data (such as a credit card number) through the phone.
However, I feel that these technologies have benefited the disabled and visually impaired persons the most. They have enabled a lot of them to lead more independent and fulfilling lives.
Sometime back, I once tried out a dictation software which converted my spoken words into words. However, it made so many mistakes and I would have to edit it all over. In the end, I just removed the software. Now, I learn that that people are working on more sophisticated programs that will "remember" your voice and adjust to your accent.
Nuance.com is the largest supplier in the World. Among their big clients is AT&T. The company is using speech automation software from Nuance to automate its new 1-800-YellowPages (1-800-935-5697) Directory Assistance (DA) service.
One very popular desktop product for PC from Nuance is their Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9. It allows you to send e-mails and instant messages, surf the web, create documents - by just speaking into a microphone connected to your computer. The company claims that it is "up to 99% accurate, and often more accurate than typing". Their most astounding claim is that "it actually gets smarter the more you use it!"
You can actually try out the demo on their site. It's pretty amazing.