

You can add punctuation by saying the name of the punctuation out loud-for example, "period," "comma," or "open quote" and "end quote." You talk to your computer or mobile device and immediately see the words on the screen. Dictation software, meanwhile, is a way to use your voice to type in real time. Transcription software is typically for transcribing meetings or recordings, sometimes of multiple people, and generally after the fact. It's called VoiceOver on macOS and Speech Recognition in Windows.ĭon't confuse speech-to-text software with transcription software, either, even if the categories overlap. Both macOS and Windows have voice control included.

Voice control is the accessibility feature that lets you open programs, select on-screen options, and otherwise control your device using only your voice. Speech-to-text software is different from voice control software, although some apps do both. Speech-to-text software, also sometimes called dictation software, makes it possible, by turning what you say into typed text. Typing isn't easy or even possible for everyone, which is why you might prefer to talk.
