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Cat Got Your Tongue (9/4/98)
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Remember back when the Macintosh platform had the edge when it came to speech recognition? Okay, maybe it never really held the lead when it came to actual dictation of spoken text, but at least all Power Macs were capable of understanding spoken commands after the simple installation of some free software from Apple. When we first got our PowerTower Pro, we had lots of fun putting together Applescripts that would connect the Mac to the 'net, grab our mail, load a specific web page, and start playing an audio CD, all with a single spoken command. If nothing else, it was a great "gee whiz" feature.
Nothing new had arisen in Apple's speech recognition software for several years, so that's why we're intrigued by the story over on Mac OS Rumors that indicates improved speech support in Mac OS 8.5. According to a reader, the new speech recognition extensions have had their versions bumped by .01, apparently signifying the fact that they now sample all speech at 44.1 KHz. This reportedly results in much improved recognition-- and if memory serves, we believe it'll also allow speech recognition on the iMacs, which have not been able to use the released version of the software because their sound was too high-quality.
Of course, when it comes to dictation software, Windows users have something like a dozen applications to choose from, and several are in the $100 or less range. Mac users, meanwhile, still only have Power Secretary, which costs significantly more, and uses an older speech recognition technology. Still waiting...
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SceneLink (991)
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And Now For A Word From Our Sponsors |
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 | | The above scene was taken from the 9/4/98 episode: September 4, 1998: It looks like the iMac may be a little too popular for its own good. Meanwhile, Apple's quietly updating its speech recognition software for the Mac OS 8.5 release, and the Autostart Worm continues to infect Mac users worldwide...
Other scenes from that episode: 990: Psst, Wanna Buy an iMac? (9/4/98) For some reason, Macs and theft go together like peanut butter and banana. Two examples spring immediately to mind: the first is the way in which thieves will often walk right through a room full of PC's and spend extra time and effort to break into the room where the Macs are kept... 992: Promoting Safe Macs (9/4/98) Hands up, how many of you are aware of the first real Mac virus to hit the scene in a few years, the Autostart 9805 Worm? Okay, keep your hands up if you're regularly scanning your Mac for its presence and taking precautions to guard against infection...
Or view the entire episode as originally broadcast... | |  |
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