Is voice-to-text the next big revolution in how we communicate with computers? From typewriters to keyboards to voice input – the way we punch in lines of text is not set in stone.
Today grocery shopping accounts for more than 20% of voice-based orders. Over 60% of smartphone users have used voice search at least once in the past 12 months [Top Voice Search Statistics For 2020].
Of course, the extent to which we use voice input now would not be possible even ten years ago, but advances in audio recording and speech recognition make this dream come true. The science fiction we all have seen in film just 10 years ago, with people ordering lights to twenty percent and asking their AI butler to reschedule that one meeting tomorrow, has become reality.
And so, in the world where a recorder app for Android can do what used to be a job for a squad of secretaries, can we expect a shift from typing to voice control? Are we going to see more screen free devices? Are we going to ditch keyboards altogether eventually?
Voice Input Is Changing the World As We Speak
First of all, the shift is already happening. You are probably familiar with assistants like Alexa and Siri – if you do not own one, you have at least heard about them – who set the current standard for human to machine communication. Their usefulness comes not only from artificial intelligence but also from the fact that you are not bound to the keyboard while using them.
Secondly, there are areas – like note-taking and planning – where the keyboard is (or used to be) a necessary type of evil. Sure, it’s better than pen and paper but not quite there yet. Recorders like Scripter aim to bridge that gap. They give their users the freedom of expression without the crutch that is typing and without having to sacrifice function.
…And That’s a Good Thing
There are many practical advantages to using voice input versus buttons and manual controls. To name but a few:
-
Speed. Our fingers, no matter how fast we type, cannot keep up with the thoughts as they are formed. By the time we write something down, it is often distorted; not to mention typing letters takes way more time than simple dictation.
-
Accessibility. Are you behind the wheel, driving to work? Are you having a meeting at the office? Perhaps, you are working and cannot let yourself get distracted by phones and screens? A voice assistant is there to pick up anything you toss its way.
-
It is good for the mind. Our brain perceives and retains spoken information much, much better than what we read or see. Besides, the old rule of ‘if you want to learn something, teach it to somebody’ can apply here as well. You express your thoughts, give them shape and make them understood – even if the only person who is going to read your notes is the future you.
Naturally, there will be some cases where old-fashioned buttons or even handwriting would be more efficient or appropriate – for example, in settings where you have to keep silent. But just like typing has not replaced writing, voice will not make keyboards go the way of the dodo. What we can hope for is a mostly keyboard-free environment, with keyboards used as occasional backup.
If you want to start living the future right here, right now, visit our home page. Experience innovation first-hand with Scripter, a smart voice recorder that understands you. For news and updates, subscribe to our Twitter and Facebook pages.
Good luck!
