Dragon NaturallySpeaking 10 Speech Recognition Software 99% Accurate & No Training Needed! New Release

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Dragon NaturallySpeaking 10 All Versions Now Shipping on the Nuance Website

"Like Having A Secretary In Your PC"   by David Podge, New York Times Note: NY Times Require Free One-Time Registration

PC Review of Dragon Naturally Speaking 10 by by Michael Muchmore

Updated Post: Nuance Communications (formally Scan soft) has launched version 10 of their Dragon Dragon NaturallySpeaking line which has been the best speech recognition software for Windows for many years.

Here is a first take on the new version by Michael Muchmore excerpted from PC Magazine:

All the versions of this just-released upgrade to the leading voice-recognition software benefit from added automation tools, improved hands-free navigation, updates to the interface, and—most importantly—increased accuracy and speed. Nuance Inc. claims conversion accuracy rates as high as 99 percent, which compares favorably with the average typist's accuracy of just 58. You'll also find improved natural commands for Mozilla Firefox as well as enhancements to the formatting and word-properties interfaces. The new Voice Shortcuts, available in the Preferred Edition ($199 list) and those above it, work together with Web and desktop search to perform multistep queries with a single voice command

What is amazing is that they have improved the accuracy of the software. They say that the new software is 99% accurate! Even more amazing is that the software no longer REQUIRES you to train it by reading selected articles. However, training will increase the accuracy to the 99% mark so it is still in the program and still recommended.

Blogger Amit Agarwal  on the Digital Inspiration blog posted "Dragon Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 vs Windows Vista Speech Recognition back when Dragon v9 was released. He writes:

"  ... the much hyped speech recognition feature in Windows Vista did not behave as expected. The guy giving the demo kept on talking to Windows Vista and the program never obeyed him - "Dear aunt, let's set so double the killer delete select all." [video after the post]

Nuance executives may be finding it very tough to hide their smiles in this situation. They just released Dragon Naturally Speaking 9 which is more accurate than Dragon 8 and eliminates the need to train the software to a user's voice. No wonder, Dragon 9 has received excellent reviews from tech gurus including David Pogue and Marc Orchant.

Microsoft developers are now running for cover and posting excuses and reasons on their blogs as to why the speech recognition demo had gone awry. In fact, things were not so bad when Microsoft showcased Vista speech technology for the first time, most people got impressed with the initial demo video. If the latest Vista speech demo fiasco had not taken place, a lot of people would have deferred buying Dragon 9 since a similar (or better) technology was coming for free in Vista next year. Unfortunately, that's not the case anymore ..

Dragon NaturallySpeaking software is as good as the quality of the microphone you use it with.

I did some research and ordered the best wireless headset to used with Dragon NaturallySpeaking v10. My picks are:

1. Plantronics CS50-USB Wireless Headset for VoIP Softphones. It is not bluetooth but uses 900MZ Radio Frequency allows the user three hundred feet of operating distance and a full eight hours of operating use. Uses Plantronics integrated IntelliStand.Simply pick up the headset from the base and the call will be answered. While away from the main station, it only takes one button to answer or end a call. Wearing options are plentiful: wear the headset either over the ear or over the head. The microphone incorporates noise-canceling technology to voice quality. Certified and rated well by Nuance.

The Sennheiser BW900 Wireless Office Headset The BW 900 is a business class wireless office headset. It has intelligent sound quality, 100 meter range, and mobile phone capability. You can use the BW 900 headset with your office desktop phone , mobile phones and smart phones. It is compatible with all your voice enables Bluetooth devices like PDA's and even VoIP enabled computers or laptops. Nuance rates this the best of all wireless headsets for use with the Dragon Naturallyspeaking 10 line of products..

Comments

[Peter Maddern]

I recently installed version 9 Professional. I'm getting 98% accuracy after a week or so whereas I was also achieving 98% with version 8. I'll be evaluating version 9 to see if I can nudge it up to 99%.

The key though is the microphone and sound card. I use a high end Sennheiser headset with a USB sound adaptor.

My recommendation to anyone buyng Dragon NaturallySpeaking would be to immediately upgrade the microphone that comes bundled with the product and also to run a Windows Sound Recorder test and if there is any noise present, to get a USB sound pod.

I am a reseller/trainer based in North Wales, UK

My blog is www.speechempoweredcomputing.co.uk/Newsletter

[Peter Maddern]

I forgot to say when I last posted but you might want to take a look at the demonstration of Dragon NaturallySpeaking on my web site

www.speechempoweredcomputing.co.uk

(Click on the link "Microsoft Word" in the box headed demonstrations. It'll take a minute or so to load even on a broadband connection but it'll give you an idea of the accuracy that's possible with the software.

I've been using the Xovoc Communicator5 bluetooth headset microhone but have just got hold of a Plantronics CS-60 bluetooth wireless headset and will be evaluating it soon.

Peter
Dragon NaturallySpeaking reseller and accreditted trainer
www.speechempoweredcomputing.co.uk

Posted by: Peter Maddern | Monday, December 25, 2006 at 05:49 PM

[Canadian Monkey]

Does it work with Microsoft Works Word Processor? That is my only word processing program that I actually have that works [other than WordPad and NotePad; Microsoft Word is on but not installed]. But this also is a computer that called 'Sound Recorder' "entertainment".

[Bruce Eisner]

Yes the software works with any word processor.

[jason]

has anyone tried to use a non-certified bluetooth headset with DNS 9?

[Nick]

Yes, Dragon will work with most all word processors, Canadian Monkey.
What bluetooth headset do you have Bruce?