Editorial Review

Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 (Preferred Edition) gives small business users and PC user the power to create documents, reports, e-mails and more -- all by speaking! Over three times faster than typing, and amazingly accurate, NaturallySpeaking 9 translates your voice dictations into Microsoft Word and Excel, Corel WordPerfect, and virtually all Windows-based applications. You can even dictate into a handheld device when you're away from your PC, or use a Bluetooth microphone. It's never been easier to use -- no script reading required, so you can get started right away!Read more

Features

• The new Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 speech engine is up to 20% more accurate than version 8
• Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 is up to 99% accurate, and often more accurate than typing. Dragon NaturallySpeaking never makes a spelling mistake, and it actually gets smarter the more you use it
• Most people speak over 120 words per minute, but type less than 40 words a minute. Dragon NaturallySpeaking lets you create letters and e-mails about three times faster than typing by hand.
• You'll be dictating letters, e-mails and surfing the web by voice right away! No script reading required to get started. Includes a full set of on-screen tutorials, and a Nuance approved free noise-canceling microphone.
• Use your voice to dictate, edit and control applications like Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Internet Explorer, and Corel WordPerfect.

Reviews (13)

Bring on the patches
This product does not work with internet applications as advertised.There are multiple inconsistencies in the way it handles commands, or in its ability to carry out the commands at all.My computer exceeds the minimum requirements of this program.Additionally, I am unable to check for updates to the program as I get 'error 13003: not registered' even though I have registered twice now.I'm actually typing this review with the keyboard because of problems in IE and Firefox.They also charge money for support.Dictation for other purposes works very well, I just wish it did everything it was advertised to do.

Awesome
I'm dictating my review right now.I just started using the program today, yet I'm already comfortable with dictation.I'm surprised at how readily the program recognizes even obscure words.My only advice is to check your system requirements and make sure you have adequate RAM prior to purchasing(I had to purchase more for my computer).I'm sure once I'm accustomed to using the program, I will love it even more.

Has turned out to be a time-saver
Years ago, I had version 4 of this program and faithfully did all the training exercises---however, I discovered they were mostly exercises in frustration and eventually gave up.I too had heard that advancements in speech recognition had been made for this version, and warily bought it from Amazon.With just a little training, it was up to about 75% accuracy---much better than the 30% of version 4, but still room for improvement.The microphone that comes with the program produces a horrible clamping sensation on the side of your head, so I bought the Plantronics DSP 400 recommended in the hardward compatibility listings on Nuance's website.After using this new (much more comfortable) headset, the accuracy increased to about 90% by my estimation.I am in the process of dictating a novel from a longhand manuscript, and the time saved by using this program is well worth it. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 (Standard Edition) gives small business users and PC enthusiasts the power to create documents, reports, e-mails and more -- all by speaking! Over three times faster than typing, and amazingly accurate, NaturallySpeaking 9 translates your voice dictations into Microsoft Word and Excel, Corel WordPerfect, and virtually all Windows-based applications. It's never been easier to use -- with no script reading required, you can get started right away!Read more

Features

• Over three times faster than typing, and up to 99% accurate
• Edit and control just about any Windows-based application, including Mozilla and Firefox, with voice commands
• Built-in Nothing But Speech technology filters out "ums" and "ahs" and other conversational fillers
• Lets you navigate web pages by speaking the URLs and links

Reviews (11)

Rebate Deception
The Dragon Naturally Speaking is a good product which works as advertised. One of the reasons I purchased the program from Amazon was that they were offering a rebate of $44. I downloaded the rebate form and did exactly as instructed. When Naturally Speaking Standard Edition arrived I noticed the UPC Code on the box looked different from the picture on the rebate form. However since I had ordered the program from Amazon and downloaded the accompanying rebate form, I thought, this company is honorable and will stand by their word. I was wrong. I got a notice saying that they were refusing my rebate application. I half-way expected this sort of ruse, but I was very disappointed by this deceptive process. I'm a faithful Amazon customer, but I'll never believe a rebate offer again.

Effort Saver!
I am a transcriptionist from home, and with two children (one of which just started school), I needed a way to cut down on the time it was taking me to transcribe.
Accurate, easy to learn, a life saver
I have tried the voice recognition software that comes with the Microsoft Office XP and after training it and giving it a run-through it just produced too many errors.So I had given up on the voice recognition for my computer a couple of years ago.
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Features

• CD-ROM
• Start up any program in your Start menu by speaking
• Appointment reminders read the details of your appointment aloud to you
• Use your voice to select your music by album, artist or genre
• Place phone calls by name or by number
• Incoming calls are announced by name or number

Reviews (19)

Very useful software
You can do many things without using the pen or the keyboard. I would like more commands were added to this software. Something bad is you can not use the hadsfree button of your PDA phone as the Voice Command Button.

Excellent product, but lacks few features
This is an excellent product by Microsoft.This software recognizes any kind of english accent very easily.I use a Cingular 8125 pocket pc and dialing is a pain in this pocket pc without such a tool as you will mostly need the stylus to dial which is not at all practical while driving.
Pretty good. Amazing program
I wanted this for the safety. Driving down the road and looking for a phone number is just crazy. Voice Command solves that problem. Just mention who you want to all and keep on going. There are some times when it struggles with name recognition. Arnold Schwarzeneger would be a tough one but it generally gets it right. Works with every name in the address book, tells you when you have appointments, can be used to start software programs, and probably some more stuff I haven't figured out yet. ... Read more

Features

• CD-ROM
• Top Selling Speech Solution For Mac OS X
• Dictate into any application
• Control your Mac with your Voice
• Easy to Use - just Talk!
• Supported Microphone Required

Reviews (2)

iListen
This is a great asset to our business. PC-based software using Virtual PC was not doing the trick. This is GREAT

iListen review for the Alaska Apple Users' Group

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Features

• The new Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 speech engine is up to 20% more accurate than version 8
• Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 is up to 99% accurate, and often more accurate than typing. Dragon NaturallySpeaking never makes a spelling mistake, and it actually gets smarter the more you use it
• Most people speak over 120 words per minute, but type less than 40 words a minute. Dragon NaturallySpeaking lets you create letters and e-mails about three times faster than typing by hand
• You'll be dictating letters, e-mails and surfing the web by voice right away! No script reading required to get started. Includes a full set of on-screen tutorials, and a Nuance approved free noise-canceling microphone
• Use your voice to dictate, edit and control applications like Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Internet Explorer, and Corel WordPerfect

Reviews (4)

Horsepower needed; results assured
This product needs horsepower!Don't buy it unless you have a newer processor and at least a gig of ram.Best excuse I can think of to please your gaming children while being purely rational.
Superb performance for the most part, but poor support must be considered.
I was impressed with Dragon NaturallySpeaking 8, but version 9 isvastly improved in terms of speech recognition. Version 8 was excellent; perhaps in the 95% range. Version 9 comes very close to 100% right out of the box, without any special training.
Marked Improvement Over version 8
DNS 9 is significantly better than the previous version. Certain words that DNS 8 had trouble with and which it could never really easily understand are understood very quickly by DNS 9. For example, "thus" was interpreted as "DOS" the first time I said it in DNS 9, but after correcting it, the next time I said "thus" the program understood it. DNS 8 never was able to understand my "thus". Also, the program understood "Broyhill" the second time I said it.
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Features

• CD-ROM
• Speech recognition software for dictating, editing, and controlling applications
• Surf the Web and access information by speaking URLs and links
• Teach software to recognize your voice in as few as 5 minutes
• Nothing But Speech technology eliminates "ums" and "ahs" from dictation
• Free high-quality headset microphone with noise canceling technology included

Reviews (40)

Forget it.
I will never buy another product from this manufacturer. I have a legal copy of this program, and on the weekend my motherboard died. I had to buy a new board then reinstall all my software, and when I got to DNS8 it told me I'd registered too many times and I had to buy a new copy.
It sort of works
G'day,
Finally voice recognition that works in normal, noisy environments.
I have been aware of NaturallySpeaking for over 15 years.We initially utilized this software to assist people with severe disabilities such as cerebral palsy to be able to have basic commands understood.More recently five years ago I bought edition 4.0.I found it to be frustrating when ever there was any background noise so I basically quit using it.When I saw the 8.0 being advertised as the voice recognition software specifically for a small business atmosphere, I thought I would try it one more time.Being a slow typist it has truly changed my life for the better.Only 45 minutes were required to set up the speech-recognition files when the occasional mistakes occur during dictation if you correct those and change those right at that time, I never see that same misunderstanding happening again.I have recommended it to two friends who are buying it.It really does allow you to sit back in your chair relax, drink your coffee and dictate reports, answer e-mail or whenever it is you might need to do.I can't think of any $70 expenditure that has given me so much back in such a short time.I almost always have my headset on when I'm in front of the computer because anything that involves typing or entering data I used the DragonDictate to do. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Dragon NaturallySpeaking Medical 9 enables healthcare professionals to complete clinical notes instantly and at a fraction of the cost of manual transcription. Each physician that uses Dragon NaturallySpeaking Medical 9 can save tens of thousands of dollars per year! Its never been faster or easier to use, and its amazingly accurate - up to 30% more accurate than the prior release. Use with any Microsoft Office application, or any Windows based Electronic Medical Records solution. Packaged with 14 pre-configured medical specialty vocabularies, and allows you to create other custom vocabularies to maximize recognition accuracy. Includes tools for network deployments, such as support for Citrix thin clients. Dragon NaturallySpeaking Medical 9 means lower costs and better patient care! ... Read more

Features

• AMAZINGLY ACCURATE! - The new Dragon NaturallySpeaking Medical 9 speech engine is up to 30% more accurate than version 8 - up to 99%.
• REDUCE OR ELIMINATE MANUAL TRANSCRIPTION - With Dragon NaturallySpeaking Medical 9, you can save tens of thousands of dollars per physician every year!
• FASTER THAN TYPING! - Most people speak over 120 words per minute, but type less than 40 words a minute. Dragon NaturallySpeaking lets you create letters, reports and e-mails about three times faster than typing by hand!
• SO EASY TO USE! - Youll be dictating to your PC right away! No script reading required to get started. We even include a full set of on-screen tutorials, and a Nuance approved noise-canceling microphone.
• USE WITH ANY WINDOWS PROGRAM! - Use your voice to dictate, edit and control virtually any Windows application, including the full Microsoft Office Suite, Corel® WordPerfect®, and any Electronic Medical Records application.

Reviews (1)

medical version not strictly necessary for doctors
I am dictating using the preferred version of Dragon 9.0.I was curious as to whether the huge price difference between the preferred version and the medical version was warranted.So far, as a specialist surgeon, I have not found that the additional cost for the medical version would have been money well spent.I recommend that you carefully consider whether you need to spend the extra 900 to $1000 for the medical version.What you are getting is some network operability features, and a very expensive medical vocabulary.The preferred version seems to do extremely well with standard medical words, and the few terms that I use that it does not recognize I can quickly train.Unless you have network or management needs that the preferred version will not allow, get the preferred version, skip the medical version.
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Editorial Review

Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 (Standard Edition) gives small business users and PC enthusiasts the power to create documents, reports, e-mails and more -- all by speaking! Over three times faster than typing, and amazingly accurate, NaturallySpeaking 9 translates your voice dictations into Microsoft Word and Excel, Corel WordPerfect, and virtually all Windows-based applications. It's never been easier to use -- with no script reading required, you can get started right away!Read more

Features

• CD-ROM
• Extended support for new applications
• Support for Non-standard Edit Controls such as Select-And-Say
• Work in Microsoft Word and Corel WordPerfect
• When dictating casual writing, you don't have to say period and comma
• Windows XP or 2000 (sp4)

Features

• Top Selling Speech Solution For Mac OS X
• Dictate into any application
• Control your Mac with your Voice
• Includes iLife ScriptPak Bundle, Mouse Anywhere ScriptPak
• Includes VXi TalkPro Xpress Microphone

Reviews (1)

AMAZING software
Bought this software because the old fingers and wrist were showing signs of carpal tunnel.Since I have an intel iMac at work and a non intel at home I bought the universal version. Am hoping it will allow me to register on BOTH of my computers.
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Features

• CD-ROM
• More accurate than ever before, Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 is often more accurate than typing. Dragon NaturallySpeaking never makes a spelling mistake, and it actually gets smarter the more you use it
• Most people speak over 120 words per minute, but type less than 40 words a minute. That means you can create letters, reports and e-mails about three times faster with Dragon NaturallySpeaking
• You can create documents by voice wherever you are, because a Philips Voice Trace 7630 digital recorder comes included for automatic transcription when you synch with your PC
• Includes tutorial
• Minimum System Requirements - 1 GHz processor (or equivalent AMD processor); 512 MB RAM; 1 GB free hard disk space; Microsoft Windows XP (SP1 or higher) Home and Professional, 2000 (SP4 or higher); Sound Blaster 16 or equivalent sound card supporting 16-bit recording; Microsoft Internet Explorer 5 or higher (free download available at www.microsoft.com); CD-ROM drive (required for installation); Nuance-approved noise-canceling headset microphone (included); A web connection is required for act

Features

• CD-ROM
• Speech recognition software for dictating, editing, and controlling applications
• Dictate directly into a PC or any ScanSoft-approved handheld digital recorder
• Listen to incoming e-mail read aloud; search the Web by speaking URLs and links
• Use dictation shortcuts to insert text or bitmaps with a single voice command
• Works with Corel WordPerfect and virtually all Windows-based applications

Reviews (3)

Why buy version 8 when 9 is out?
Search Amazon on "NaturallySpeaking" and you will find version 9 is now available.Why buy version 8?

The Dragon listens
Voice recognition software has come a long way. I began by trying the voice recognition engine in XP Professional, but was not pleased with the accuracy. Dragon has it together. It works. This version has definitely improved upon previous ones. They obviously have the engineering staff to do the job.
Great program perfect for the disabled - enjoy handsfree
If you're reading this. You are interested in buying Dragon NaturallySpeaking version eight if you are. I highly recommend it! I had versions of Dragon software, dating back to 1995. Let me tell you the software was clunky back then, being a quadriplegic, I used it to type and move the mouse. But as soon as I got a touchpad mouse. I dropped Dragon altogether. Step forward almost 10 years, I decided that I needed to send longer e-mails than two sentences (because that's all I could type, it gets tiring using only one hand and one knuckle on that hand). So I took the plunge drop the cash on Dragon, and after three days am totally satisfied.
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Features

• CD-ROM
• Continuous Speech Recognition - Dictation in normal tone of voice and at a normal pace using the Philips FreeSpeech 2000 speech engine
• Direct Dictation - Dictate, edit and format text directly in any Application
• Correction - Correct and Update your Voice Model in almost any Application
• Hands Free Correction - Correct using your voice, no need to use the keyboard or mouse
• Correction Playback - Hear what you said in your own Voice

Features

• CD-ROM
• Powerful dictation software that works with most Microsoft applications
• Create macros that run across multiple applications; you control their speed
• Supports the use of select digital handheld recorders
• Works with IBM ViaVoice and VoiceMarks
• Noise-canceling USB headset microphone included

Reviews (9)

IBM Viavoice 10 Badly Broken
Does not work with XP SP2, McAfee security Suite and/or Office 2003. Terrible. I spent good money on this and the support is non existent and no fixes on the horizon.
Software ok, support, terrible
If I were going to rate the software alone, it would be a four. However, you had better not have any problems with it, as the support is non-existent.When I reluctantly agreed to pay for support and asked for help, they never got back to me.

Fantastic
I see on this site that most people did not like this product. Well, I did. At first it was a dissapointment, but after I did lots of voice testing and corrections, it was great. No hands are needed and it is relitivley fast. Great Buy. ... Read more

Features

• Dictate directly into any Windows application; types up to 150 words a minute
• Built-in, 60,000-word vocabulary and the ability to easily add new words
• Avoid or compensate for repetitive-motion injuries
• Makes online chats and Instant Messages even easier
• Great for letters, homework, reports, and more

Reviews (3)

talk it, don't type it!!
This was the most disappointing and useless purchase ever. Despite exhausting voice training, it typed everything except what I said. Don't waste your money. I would'nt even give it one star.

TalkItTypeIt 2 much better value than Dragon
The newest version TalkItTypeIt- TalkItTypeIt 2 (Standard, Deluxe and Ultra versions)works great and saves a lot of money vs. the Dragon competitor.The new Microsoft 6.1 voice recognition engine in TalkItTypeIt 2 has a very high level of accuracy- many feel that it is superior to Dragon's, and the Ultra version also includes voice navigation that works amazingly well, allowing complete hands free operation of the PC.Unlike the directional navigation in Dragon (move up, move left, etc.), TalkItTypeIt 2 Ultra provide direct access to any point on the screen just by saying the word you are trying to navigate to.Pop up hint tags get associated with the word, and saying the number associated with the hint tag is just like cliking the mouse button.This "screen recognition" technology is truly amazing.
Disappointing
I ran it on a Windows ME machine and every time you open Talk It Type It, it places a toolbar at the top of the desktop. That's not a bad thing - until you close the software. It leaves a blank space where the toolbar was, and reopening the program places the toolbar *below* that space. (Refreshing the desktop does not fix this.)
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Editorial Review

Dragon NaturallySpeaking Preferred 7 offers home and small office users powerful speech-recognition features to maximize their productivity. After completing about 5 minutes of training, you can talk to your computer and watch your words instantly appear in virtually any Windows-based application, including Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Outlook Express, Internet Explorer and Corel WordPerfect. Dragon NaturallySpeaking 7 is the most accurate Dragon NaturallySpeaking ever, and the easiest to use. Read more

Features

• CD-ROM
• Brand new sealed full retail boxed edition.

Reviews (34)

Easier but not necessarily faster than typing
After retiring (from a career as a scientist), I took a job as a technical writer.My technical background and my interest in writing are good matches for this job, but the fact that I never became a touch typist proved to be a significant liability, especially since I record my thoughts while referring to source material.For this reason, I turned to voice recognition software.After surveying the voice-recognition software that was available, I purchased Dragon Naturally Speaking version 7. My computer was relatively new at the time and featured a 2 GHz processor, Audigy sound card, USB2 ports, and 512 MB of RAM, so I was comfortable with its ability to efficiently run the software. I have used this program for about six months, and the results are decidedly mixed.
The software works as advertised
I recently purchased Naturally Speaking 7.0 preferred to use in digitizing our family's genealogy histories, and received the program last night.After playing around with the program last night and this morning, I can report that it works surprisingly well; I had high hopes for this software, and they have all been met.After completing the online tutorials, the software was very efficient in understanding my voice.When it didn't pick up a word (it wouldn't understand me when I said "approximately" or my wife when she said "wow"), I used the add vocabulary function and "trained" the program to understand the new word.I found that the program instantly recognized what I had just added.
Better than I expected
I am writing this review by using the actual product itself.I will not correct any mistakes it makes.As you can see, my accuracy level is fairly high, and I am very satisfied with the progress I have made so far.This is only my second day using the product, and already I have used it to send numerous e-mail, Word files, Excel files, and reviews such as this one.I can't tell you how exciting it is to see the spoken word appear as if by magic on the screen without having to touch the keyboard at all.This product is amazing!I will recommend it to all my friends and family without hesitation.I'm pretty confident that over the next few days as it recognises my voice more and more, I will overtake my typing speed and my whole desktop computing experience will become a hands-free zone.This this product will revolutionise the way we were, and I'm fairly sure that in the next three to five years voice recognition software will become far more mainstream and it is today.
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Editorial Review

ViaVoice Personal Edition 9.0 is for beginners in speech recognition. Setup is quick and easy, and dictation accuracy has never been better. The more you use ViaVoice, the better the program will recognize your voice. And it comes with a noise-canceling headset microphone that plugs into the microphone jack on the sound card of your computer.Read more

Reviews (9)

IBM ViaVoice for Windows-Release 9
This comes with a noise-canceling headset that includes a microphone. It is not by IBM.It works with Microsoft Word 2002 the best, but will also allow dictation to other software. Your words can be read back to you by an agent which is actually a robot that appears when you summon it. It can also read back aloud words that you didn't type; in other words, any text it "sees" which is rather ingenius. It will make corrections if you speak over it when you see an error. You can also teach ViaVoice new words after it has learned to recognize your voice and inflections in your speech by creating your voice model. IBM gives you a 95-page User's Guide with black and white pictures to illustrate procedures.

Free -Shipping, Fun for the Price, Not really worth anything
I got this product free with a coupon on the site.Aside from shipping which was almost nothing, now I have something cool to show my friends.After all it was free.It comes with a headset microphone which is alright but too short and uncomfortable.The software is ok but still having trouble making out simple things.Not to mention, if you want to dictate places, names, etc FORGET IT.I typed a paper about 4x faster than I can use this to write it.Kind of fun how wrong it is.Don't spend you money, but if it's still free you can order it for a kick.

A very promising piece of software.
I got ViaVoice...I have to say that it is very fun to use. And with every word it seems that it gets more precise. I still have to finish the voice analyzations, but even so the software is getting very good at understanding what I'm saying. I even tried to trick it a few times with some nonsense words that I use to "talk" to my cats. I even taught it to understand some bad words. LOL If you know what I mean. Voice recognition software isn't at the level of StarTrek yet, but it's getting there. There is one problem I have though. At startup it prevents either MSN Messenger or MSNBC News Alert from starting up. And sometimes prevent's Norton AntiVirus Auto Protect from starting up. You can fix this by just starting the features mentioned manually, but it can be a pain in the butt. Though, it's nothing to uninstall ViaVoice over. Not a bad package... ... Read more

Features

• CD-ROM
• Brings natural, continuous speech voice dictation to Mac OS X
• OS X/Aqua human interface look and feel
• Dictate, correct, edit, and format by voice text within SpeakPad
• Create customized voice commands in favorite Mac applications
• Noise-canceling USB headset microphone included

Reviews (11)

Don't buy this product
While the box claims this product is OS X compatible, we have not been able to even complete installation. Turns out it used to work with OS.X, and customer support in India sez they're working on a new version. yeah, right. IBM has nothing to do with it, they dumped it on another company.

mediocre program, but better than nothing
Dragon, the leader in voice recognition software, never bothered to make a Mac version.IBM's Mac 10.3 ViaVoice is better than nothing, but not by much.As others have noted, it crashes every few minutes even on the best Mac hardware.I use it anyway because it has better recognition than I-Speak, the only alternative.Someday, someone will make a lot of money creating a decent voicetype program for the Mac, but this isn't it.In the meantime, IBM owes us a crashproofing patch for 10.3.

Dying product
I find ViaVoice an important tools to save my arthritic fingers. Once trained, its dictation is reasonably accurate (even sorting out m