Speech-to-text Apps

Posted by joyces @joyces, Jul 22, 2019

None of the hearing clinics nor the vestibular clinic I've been to recently have any information about speech-to-text apps. I've done online research and learned enough...just to be "dangerous"! I want to know more before buying a tablet, downloading an app, and learning to use it. I have the added problem of living in the forest, sans even the least amount of cell reception. None of the techs I've talked to can comprehend such an oddity. <g>

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@mikepa

@katherinebouton Thanks for that info. I also have an iPhone and was considering Otter and Google Transcribe but didn't want another phone in my pocket. Since it is free, I will download Otter and give it a try at our next meeting.

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In Otter- you have to set the lock screen to not lock up- I told otter- that’s crazy- next update hopefully fixed. I think it is good for the fact just using it without instructions though. I am impressed. See how it is for you. I used it at a cafe with 6 folks around me-

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@mikepa

@katherinebouton Thanks for that info. I also have an iPhone and was considering Otter and Google Transcribe but didn't want another phone in my pocket. Since it is free, I will download Otter and give it a try at our next meeting.

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I am going to the next step for Otter. I will be projecting it at some open, municipal meetings. Will chime in on that after tests.

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The two best apps I’ve found are Google Live Transcribe available only on Android devices, not iPhones or Apple devices. It is fast and surprisingly accurate. But you need a good cell connection or WiFi. I understand there are some new Android devices which operate the app without a cell connection.
Second is Microsoft Translate. It’s not as easy to use or as fast and accurate, but it works on any device.
There are lots of others, these are just the ones I’ve had the best results with.

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@maryjax

The two best apps I’ve found are Google Live Transcribe available only on Android devices, not iPhones or Apple devices. It is fast and surprisingly accurate. But you need a good cell connection or WiFi. I understand there are some new Android devices which operate the app without a cell connection.
Second is Microsoft Translate. It’s not as easy to use or as fast and accurate, but it works on any device.
There are lots of others, these are just the ones I’ve had the best results with.

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I would be very interested in how Otter works when you project it for a meeting. Ive seen Live Transcribe used this way and it was very comparable to CART.

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Like Katherine, I’m weighing in late. Like our original posting - I also live out in the boonies with poor internet and cell service. The folks who live out by me also use AT&T as the only cell phone service and it has been decent. For the internet I wanted to let you know one thing I did way back when we first lived here and that was to call the local phone company (landline) and I played the “handicapped” card and asked how I could get internet since I was using a captioned phone that required it. Bottom line, they came out and gave me the “last DSL line “ in their box. I’ve since moved on with phones since I only use my cell phone now - the service from AT&T has improved. We found a neighbor who is at the top of the hill who has internet that he shares as long as we are in line of sight with his house so that’s what we have now. Good luck!!!

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@maryjax

I would be very interested in how Otter works when you project it for a meeting. Ive seen Live Transcribe used this way and it was very comparable to CART.

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Not bad. I used it at a 6 person meeting again- and got 60 percent- better tgan nothing

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I haven’t used it in that large a group, but I have used it for smaller meetings where a lot of technical language was used. I can hear enough to know that it was surprising accurate.

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Has anyone tried a speech-to-text app? I have downloaded 3 of them and they all have a "wrong word" issue. Bill

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@billgebhardt

Has anyone tried a speech-to-text app? I have downloaded 3 of them and they all have a "wrong word" issue. Bill

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Bill, the speech to text apps are not perfect, but they are not bad. They're definitely better than the captions we see on TV so could be used for that purpose. The most popular apps right now seem to be Live Transcribe and Otter. Otter is available for both iPhone and Android but Live Transcribe is only available for the iPhone.
Tony in Michigan

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@billgebhardt

Has anyone tried a speech-to-text app? I have downloaded 3 of them and they all have a "wrong word" issue. Bill

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I concur that Otter is terrific. Very popular here in NYC

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