Look Mom, No Hands! Dragon Dictation's Text-to-Speech App Rolls Out

**Michael Essany** · 12-08-2009, 09:01 AM

There's a lot of talk this week about a new app that serves as the iPhone edition of the popular Dragon NaturallySpeaking software. With a lot of iPhone/iTouch users in agreement that Dragon is a top-shelf provider of text-to-speech technology, it's no wonder that Dragon Dictation has become such a hot commodity only hours after its release.

If the name sounds familiar, it should be. Dragon Naturally Speaking also powers MacSpeech, an impressive and invaluable text-to-speech tool that can prove a magnificent convenience and aid to many, but especially those with special physical needs.

From 9to5Mac:

Dragon Dictation for iPhone allows you to easily speak and instantly see your text or email messages, with the company claiming this is up to 5 times faster than typing on the keyboard.

Dragon Dictation, which is both free and now readily available for download from the ModMyi app store, is particularly popular in light of its ability to enable users to update their Facebook status and Twitter account using only their voice to do so. Whether it's a text or a full-blown email, Dragon Dictation lets you do it hands-free.

On a personal note, I think what's most cool about the app is how well it works even in a somewhat noisy environment. Granted, if you're attending a symphony or a Lady Gaga concert Dragon Dictation can't be expected to work with incredible accuracy, but even the errors logged are simple to correct.

Announcing the App, Michael Thompson, Senior Vice President & General Manager, Nuance Mobile said: “I'm thrilled to announce the availability of Dragon Dictation on the iPhone. What a cool application! In fact, I'm dictating this entire blog directly into my iPhone.”

Image via geeky-gadgets.com

**orly910** · 12-08-2009, 09:07 AM

its awesome,i just downloaded it into my iphone and its an awesome app!!!!

[FIRST]

**zinjen** · 12-08-2009, 09:31 AM

Its pretty legit, hopefully someone finds a way to use it with QuickSMS or biteSMS. Seems like its defaults to the iPhone SMS App regardless if you've selected QuickSMS or BiteSMS to be your default.

Other than that, flawless.

**kwickone** · 12-08-2009, 09:36 AM

This looks really slick. Downloading now to check it out.

**Jake1** · 12-08-2009, 09:56 AM

Not available in the UK iTunes store, anyone got a clue when it's arriving this side of the pond?

**cpotoso** · 12-08-2009, 09:57 AM

This application, according to the EULA, sends ALL YOUR CONTACTS to their servers. This is a SERIOUS PRIVACY ISSUE. Please DO NOT LOAD THIS APP IN YOUR IPHONE IF I AM IN YOUR CONTACTS...

**relkorama** · 12-08-2009, 09:58 AM

*ARGH*

Not available in Canada either. Booo!!!!

**billchase2** · 12-08-2009, 10:01 AM

...and it requires the 3.1 firmware. Dang it.

Maybe it's about time to finally suck it up and update. I just really don't feel like spending hours on re-syncing/re-jailbreaking/re-customizing tonight.

**Jake1** · 12-08-2009, 10:03 AM

Cpotoso, wow if that's right then that is a bit of a worry!

**hollow0** · 12-08-2009, 10:07 AM

Downloaded this app a few hours ago. It's ok and does an ok job but it had a hard time understanding what i was saying :/ i guess it's my voice that's not clear enough or something. I definitely like the voice to text. Comes in useful!

**metaserph** · 12-08-2009, 10:17 AM

What about the comment that it reads your contact list and sends to the developer's servers? Anybody has info. or confirmation on this?

Originally Posted by billchase2

...and it requires the 3.1 firmware. Dang it.

Maybe it's about time to finally suck it up and update. I just really don't feel like spending hours on re-syncing/re-jailbreaking/re-customizing tonight.

If you use blackra1n and PkgBackup from Cydia it won't take hours. Rock also has a backup function that helps in reinstalling your existing apps. Hope this helps.

**sphangman** · 12-08-2009, 10:19 AM

Originally Posted by Jake1

Not available in the UK iTunes store, anyone got a clue when it's arriving this side of the pond?

fired off an email this morning about UK availability ... this would be sooooo handy to have .. gutted it's only US at the moment ..

"Thank you for your feedback. Currently Dragon Dictation is only available in the U.S. for now, but we're developing regional roll out plans. We will keep you posted once it becomes available outside US."

**NetMage** · 12-08-2009, 10:19 AM

Does anyone know if it converts locally or sends to a server?

**sphangman** · 12-08-2009, 10:23 AM

Originally Posted by NetMage

Does anyone know if it converts locally or sends to a server?

sends it to the server

**southfrisco** · 12-08-2009, 10:23 AM

Looks really goood. Damnit though, needs 3.1.x firmware....

Might have to get my lazy azz to upgrade my firmware now....nooooooooooo

**cranie** · 12-08-2009, 10:36 AM

I used to use the PC version and it worked great period. The only drawback was changing how you speak period. New Paragraph
Otherwise it's great period.

**Jake1** · 12-08-2009, 10:37 AM

Sphangman, cheers for the update mate.

**sendertimes** · 12-08-2009, 10:44 AM

I just tried it, its awsome, although for long speeches, it doesnt seem to work well enough, (ie) 1 paragraph

**Melech518** · 12-08-2009, 10:45 AM

Originally Posted by cpotoso

This application, according to the EULA, sends ALL YOUR CONTACTS to their servers. This is a SERIOUS PRIVACY ISSUE. Please DO NOT LOAD THIS APP IN YOUR IPHONE IF I AM IN YOUR CONTACTS...

Originally Posted by NetMage

Does anyone know if it converts locally or sends to a server?

Originally Posted by sphangman

sends it to the server

Do we have a source for this information?? If this is legit it needs to be documented in the OP

**billchase2** · 12-08-2009, 10:46 AM

I just emailed them and requested 3.0 compatibility. It worked with Dropbox, so maybe it'll work here too...

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