Its Here And Boy Is It Good ! MacSpeech Dictate

Voice recognition for Mac OS X users has finally arrived, it didn't just fly in on a chartered flight this software arrived in a stretched limo it is that special.

For a few years now Mac users have lagged behind the Windites with their Dragon Naturally Speaking but not anymore. MacSpeech Dictate which is powered by the Dragon engine from the people at Nuance is really something special.

It is version 1.0 so yes not every single feature you would expect of a mature voice recognition software package is there ... yet ! Regular updates are promised and will happen quite soon.

In the meantime there are quite a few YouTube videos floating around including some made by us showing Dictate in action.

Here are just a couple ....

Black Is The New Silver - DS-5000 Is Coming

Is there no end to the furious pave of new voice recorders rolled out this year from Olympus. The overtime bill from the voice recorder department at Olympus Central in Tokyo must be huge.

The grandfather of the Olympus Pro range the DS-4000 will soon no longer be the top of the line Olympus model in Australia. This awesome voice recorder now has a couple of mates to look upto the DS-5000 and the DS-5000id.



Up goes the memory storage and a fancy finger swipe on the DS-5000id.

We are expecting to see the DS-5000 range in Australia mid 2008. Best guess on the pricing will be the DS-5000 will likely come in at the same price as the DS-4000 and the DS-5000iD maybe 100 bucks higher. These are just gueses, more details nearer the time.

Below is the press release from Olympus America with all the details:

Olympus, the market leader for portable digital voice recorders and professional dictation devices, introduces the DS-5000 & DS-5000iD Professional Dictation System. The new, flexible recording system, consisting of a portable dictation device, docking station and peripherals, enables doctors, lawyers and other professionals who rely on dictation to dramatically enhance their workflow.

The DS-5000 incorporates many unique and innovative features, including:

Improved ease of use with a single, durable slide switch control and centralized navigation buttons;

More flexibility with support for dual memory cards, SD/SDHC and microSD;

Enhanced sound fidelity with DSS Pro’s Quality Play (QP) mode; and

Improved security with file encryption and device password protection.

“The DS-5000 was developed with feedback from professional users to improve their workflow,” said Andrew Flagg, director of sales and marketing, Olympus Imaging America Inc. “Simple, reliable, flexible and secure are the four hallmarks of these devices. Additionally, those whose work involves confidential and sensitive information will appreciate the DS-5000’s file encryption and password protection. For even more security, the new DS-5000iD features a biometric fingerprint sensor.”

Voice Productivity Starts Here
The DS-5000’s intuitive controls and single slide switch simplify operation. The device has a large, backlit, easy-to-read LCD screen that reveals file information, recording time and events on the front of the recorder. Centralized navigation buttons enable easy data input and changes of settings. Users new to digital dictation as well as those on the leading edge will appreciate the DS-5000’s sophisticated feature set that can be customized to provide a seamless dictation solution suitable to their work environment. It is built to meet the needs of an active professional with an extremely durable slide switch mechanism and robust buttons, USB connector and battery door. Power conservation is also central to the DS-5000’s intelligent design, and it can record for up to 28 hours from its rechargeable battery.

Versatility
The DS-5000 accepts SD/SDHC and microSD memory cards, providing users with media versatility. Three programmable buttons speedup reaction time. With no extraneous buttons, the DS-5000 allows users to program the functions they use the most onto three buttons for quick and effortless use.

Enhanced Usability
The included user-friendly DSS Player Pro Release 5 software facilitates the archiving, editing and further processing of recordings. USB 2.0 High-Speed delivers fast downloads and uploads of files to and from the DS-5000. The verbal comment function allows users to record comments in dictation so a transcriptionist can better translate the authors’ directives or thoughts into their workflow.

Sound Quality
The DS-5000 features the DSS-Pro Digital Speech Standard with a new QP mode for improved sound quality. This mode records at a sampling rate of 16kHz with a compression rate of 28.0kbps and up to 32 index marks per file. In playback, the Smooth Cue/Review function makes it easier to hear words.

Security
Protecting the confidentiality and security of recordings is essential in the workplace. For this reason, the DS-5000 offers file encryption and device password protection. In addition to these features, the DS-5000iD model also features a biometric fingerprint reader to secure the device from unauthorized access, thereby protecting confidential recordings.

Barcode Scanner for Enhanced Workflow
The optional SC1 Barcode Scanner Module for the DS-5000, which plugs into the audio device’s SD card slot, further enhances workflow for users who require a barcode scanner. The SC1 Barcode Scanner Module will be available this summer.

LCD with Multiple Language Support
The user can customize the language displayed on the LCD (English, French or Spanish).

USB Cradle
A new USB cradle enables users to easily dock and undock the device with one hand. While docked, the device is able to download and upload files and charge the included Ni-MH rechargeable battery pack. Hands-free recordings can be conveniently created when using an optional RS-27 foot switch in combination with the cradle.

Accessories
The DS-5000 ships with a DSS Player Pro R5 Dictation Module CD-ROM, 512MB microSD Card, USB cradle, USB cable, carrying case, rechargeable battery pack, AC adapter, instruction manual and Olympus warranty card.

The new AS-5000 PC transcription kit replaces the current AS-4000. The AS-5000 PC transcription kit includes the DSS Player Pro R5 Transcription Module, the RS27 Foot Switch and the new E62 Stereo Headset, which is more durable and static-free than its predecessors.

Olympus DS-4000 End Of Life - Here Comes The DS-5000

The countdown is almost over! Olympus' two new digital recorder products, the DS-5000 and DS-5000iD, are scheduled to be released in Australia mid this year. These exciting additions to the DS range were introduced to consumers in both America and Europe earlier this year with their new features greatly improving customer satisfaction. Firstly these newly improved recorders offer state-of-the-art organizational functions such as, 7 folders which hold up to 199 files each, 32 index marks per file during recording and verbal annotations, which allow you to add notes and ideas to specific sections of previous recordings. Additionally these models allow you to insert verbal comments, which allow you to provide your transcriptionist with general instructions. The flexibility of both the DS-5000 and DS-5000iD is seen in its memory ability to be extended and be supported by both SD and microSD memory cards. Olympus has also accommodated for future upgrades by providing a 1/0 interface, allowing future plug-in modules to connect to the models to keep your DS-5000 model up-to-date with the latest technology. These functions have the potential to increase your business' efficiency and productivity, while providing stress-free technology. The simplicity of this technology is furthered by the inclusion of 3 programmable 'smart buttons' , a single slide switch and menu choices, which allow even the non-savvy person higher user ability. Secondly both these products offer 2 different recording qualities, including the extremely high quality of QP quality and a duplex microphone and speakers, providing you with the precise sound quality you deserve. Security wise both the DS-5000 models include password protection and the ability to encrypt and decrypt voice files to provide you and your business with high security and thus a high level of confidentiality. Additionally by fitting the DS-5000iD model with the latest technology of biometric fingerprint, Olympus has dramatically increased security. Thirdly both models include the DSS Player Pro Software, which focuses on power and versatility to increase the efficiency of the digital recorder thus the efficiency of your business. For example the DSS Player Pro automatically updates itself allowing for a high level of office efficiency. This software also provides flexibility by supporting multiple file formats such as DSS Pro, DSS, WMA and WAV, while additional MP3 decoder support is provided. Finally both the American and European market has also been highly impressed by the low battery consumption, which provides you potentially up to 28 hours of recording.