Voice and language solutions provider Nuance Communications unveiled Dragon NaturallySpeaking 12, the latest version of its business-class voice-recognition software for PCs, boasting more than 100 new features. The platform allows businesses to talk to create content and command a computer, including the ability to send email, update social media sites like Facebook, surf the Web and create reports through speaking commands to the computer.
The company claims Dragon 12 boasts faster performance, better integration with Gmail and Hotmail, extends the free Dragon Remote Microphone App experience to Google Android smartphones, and offers a 20 percent improvement in out-of-the-box accuracy. An interactive tutorial is available to walk users through exercises that demonstrate best practices for dictating, editing and formatting, while the companys Smart Format Rules technology adapts to the way users prefer to format their words.
Dragon automatically detects word, phrase and format corrections, including abbreviations and numbers, and reminds users to adapt their profiles vocabulary based on any documents or emails of their choosing. The platform also features enhanced support for wideband 16KHz Bluetooth wireless headset microphones, providing increased accuracy through a higher-quality audio signal.
Voice is transforming the way people engage with their PCs, tablets, phones, TVs and cars. And with Nuances Dragon at the heart of it, people are experiencing faster, simpler, more natural ways to communicate with the world around them, Peter Mahoney, chief marketing officer for Nuance and senior vice president and general manager of Dragon, said in a prepared statement. Dragon 12 is a remarkable leap forward in voice-recognition technology. With Dragons increased accuracy, speed and more than 100 new features and enhancements, the technology simply disappears, and your ideas flow onto the screen in front of you.
A text-to-speech feature reads editable text with fast-forward, rewind, speed and volume control for proofing and multitasking, and the platform also features new voice commands, more customization options, full text control with dictation box, and an enhanced performance assistant. NaturallySpeaking 12 is available for preorder starting at $99.99 through the companys Website as well as its network of reseller partners and software retailers, and will be available for purchase as a download beginning on Aug. 3. All other orders will begin shipping the week of Aug. 13, the company said.
We are continuously challenging ourselves to make the worlds best voice-recognition software even better, said Vlad Sejnoha, chief technology officer with Nuance. Weve risen to that challenge with Dragon 12, with significant enhancements to our voice-recognition engine. With its improved ability to take advantage of multi-core processors for maximum speed and accuracy, and its ability to learn formatting preferences for an even more personalized experience, Dragon for the PC has never been more powerful.