LiveScribe Pulse SmartPen - Digital Voice Recorder In A 2Gb Pen

Here at Dictate Australia our attention was recently drawn, thanks to Twitter, to the LiveScribe Pulse SmartPen. This incredible gadget which is both Mac and Windows compatible is basically a computer in a pen.

Using the LiveScribe Dot Paper you hand write your notes while recording the audio from around you, being a lecture, conference or meeting. The audio is linked to the words you are writing so by simply touching on a word in your notes the audio is instantly replayed.

We have just received our first SmartPen in the office and will be working on video demos on both Mac and Windows in the coming weeks.

Australian Dragon NaturallySpeaking Users, Update Available - Standard & Preferred - Version 10.1

Nuance have issued an update to version 10 of Dragon NaturallySpeaking Standard and Preferred editions.

The update is a huge download, just over 1Gb, and now brings support for 64-bit Windows Vista operating systems as well as the usual bug fixes and enhancements.

The upgrade is available free of charge for existing DNS10 licence holders via:

http://www.nuance.com/vista/naturallyspeaking/Dragon10.1/

For the Professional version an upgrade will be available late April 2009.

How To: Update The Philips Digital Voice Tracer DVT Firmware

The latest digital voice tracer notetakers from Philips (DVT models 600, 620, 660, 860 & 880) can be updated via a firmware download on the Philips Dictation website. The firmware updates will address bug fixes and may in the future provide additional functionality to the recorders.

The firmware update is relatively simple on either Windows or Mac.

Review of the Philips 880 Digital Voice Tracer

Philips Australia have recently re-vamped their Digital Voice Tracer range of cheap digital note takers. The top of the line DVT is the 880 which boasts PCM recording to .wav files and high quality recording to MP3. With a wealth of goodies in the box and a lean Australian price tag we take a look as this new recorder from Philips in our review.

MacSpeech Dictate Announce Upgrade To Version 1.3

In a press release from MacSpeech in the US they today announced that MacSpeech Dictate is now on version 1.3, an upgrade freely available to registered uses of Dictate via the Check For Updates feature.

So whats new in 1.3?

New "Cache Document" command which instructs Dictate to read any document, even those now created by Dictate. This allows easier/better/smarter navigation within a document. Sounds good, will give that a try very soon.

Also added is the "Cache Selection" command, again another way to get around the old problem of cursor positioning within a document.

And two more commands to add to your headspace, "Press The Key" and "Press The Key Combo" allowing keyboard entries and key combinations to be input by voice.

Aswell as this new command is the usual bug fixes, a new Help Book system and some additional indicators to show the Mic status.

This is just a quick post as the release has just come out. In the next few days I will give them a try and as usual post to my YouTube channel.

Excellent work from the guys at MacSpeech. The frequency of the updates is increasing and we are starting to see more and more functionality coming through and small niggly bugs being hit on the head. Early adopters have a large smile on their face now and new users will be impressed with the power of this software.

To read the press release click here.

Olympus Voice Australia Increase Digital Voice Recorder Costs Today

Today we see some changes in the pricing and product line across the board from Olympus Voice Australia. Nearly all recorders get an increase in RRP (recommended retail price) with the exception of the VN-3100PC (which has gone down in price) and the DS-3300 which remains the same, we expect the DS-3300 to be dropped off the product line in the near future.

Two new digital notetakers have been added, the VN-3500PC and VN-5500PC which should be available in Australia towards the end of February. We anticipate that when these two arrive we can say goodbye to the VN-3100PC.

We also say goodbye to the VN-2100PC, not my favourite recorder so not too upset by that departure. The AS-4000 transcription kit has also now been discontinued after a long and distinguished career, this follows on from the Olympus DS-4000 discontinued late last year.

Other minor changes to the product lists include a replacement cable (KP21), power supply (A513) and carry case (CS119) for the Olympus DS-5000 and DS-5000iD.

The Olympus A513 power adapter can also be used with the Olympus LS-10 so good to see an alternative power option for this specialised digital PCM recorder.

Philips Introduce LFH9162 In Ear Telephone Pickup Mic

Philips Dictation Australia today announced the launch of a new telephone pickup microphone called the LFH9162. Similar to the Olympus TP-7 this clever mic fits in your ear and is held in place by the telephone you are talking on, recording to your digital voice recorder your phone conversation.

I have long been a fan of this style of telephone recording mic as it can be used with either the office phone or your mobile if you are out of the office.

The LFH9162 simply plugs into the mic socket of any compatible Philips digital voice recorder. Available in Australia any day now the expected price of the LFH9162 will be around $66 incl. GST.

In the box along with your pickup mic you will get a 3.5mm to 2.5mm adapter plug, spare ear cushion and a carrying pouch.

For the techs out there here are the tech specs:

• Type: Electret condenser microphone
• Directionality: non-directional
• Frequency response: 50-20,000 Hz
• Sensitivity: -34 dB at 1 kHz
• Output impedance: 2.2KΩ
• Power supply: Plug-in-power system (1.5V – 10V)
• Cord length: 1.0 m
• Output plug type: 3.5 mm monaural mini plug
• Weight: 16 g
• Color: Black / Silver