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Guess the secret word by video: Clucks for iPhone
Fans of the party game Taboo know how tricky (and hilarious) it can be. Players are presented with a "target word" and five no-go descriptor words; then they have to get their partner or team to figure out the target without using any of the five forbidden words. Similar word-guess games can be found in a few places on the App Store, but they still depend on having all the players in one place. Clucks, the latest iOS offering from AOL's mobile team, takes the Taboo guess-the-word concept and supercharges it with video, social sharing and anti-cheating voice recognition. The free game is designed to keep you honest while challenging your friends to figure out what the heck they're talking about. Gameplay is pretty straightforward: Clucks presents you with your target word and the five forbidden words just as you'd find them on a Taboo card. When you're ready with your hint approach, hit the button and record a 12-second video of your clues to your buddy. Once uploaded, on the receiving end they'll have 25 seconds to decipher your meanderings and fill in the blanks on an answer, Draw Something-style. Of course, while they're watching you, their phone is recording their reactions -- the combined side-by-side video can then be shared to Facebook or Viddy for more yuks. What's to keep you from cheating and using one of the no-go words in your clue video? The Clucks donkey, of course -- an intermittent check powered by the voice recognition savvy of Nuance. From time to time your recordings will be scanned by the donkey to check for words in the forbidden list; if you're caught, you'll be penalized points (and have to live with your shame). When you launch Clucks you have the option of playing practice "Barnyard" rounds, where you guess from pre-recorded clues. To play against others in the launch version, however, you need to connect the app to Facebook; if you don't have a Facebook account you probably won't get much out of it. Clucks takes a proven game concept and scales it for mobile with some high-powered technology partners in Viddy and Nuance, but will it deliver the fun? In my limited testing (a social game is hard to play when nobody else can download it yet), I found it an enjoyable distraction, although the fact that you're being recorded while guessing is easy to forget; I made some unfortunate faces. You're also uploading and downloading video on every turn, so play on WiFi if your data plan is constrained. The Clucks app is rolling out today but may not be available in all App Stores immediately. You can see a quick demo video below. Note: Clucks publisher AOL Mobile and TUAW have the same corporate parent, AOL.
Nuance and Intel team on Dragon Assistant Beta for Ultrabooks, Dell XPS 13 to lead the charge
Intel at CES promised a partnership with Nuance to give Ultrabooks a taste of ready-made voice recognition, and we're finally seeing the results at IDF in San Francisco through the launch of Nuance's Dragon Assistant Beta. As the name implies, this isn't just a voice dictation engine like that in Naturally Speaking: chatty users can delegate common tasks like playing music, reading social network updates and searching the web. The beta isn't immediately available as of this writing, but it should go live soon and will be a core part of of Ultrabook software bundles in the near future, starting with the Dell XPS 13 this fall. We're wondering why Intel is focusing its Dragon Assistant efforts solely on thin-and-lights -- the company still makes money from portlier PCs, after all -- but we won't mind as much given the simultaneous launch of a Perceptual Computing SDK 2013 Beta, which lets developers work Dragon recognition into their own apps. More details await after the break.
Dragon Dictate 3 for Mac adds audio transcription
Dragon Dictate 3 for OS X is on the way, with a lot of improvements and one standout feature -- the ability to transcribe a recorded digital file. According to the company, Dragon Dictate lets you transcribe recorded audio files so you can capture your thoughts while they're still fresh in your mind using a digital voice recorder, iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. Simply establish a user profile for a digital voice recorder, and Dragon Dictate quickly and easily transcribes the recorded audio files. Dragon Dictate for Mac supports .wav, .m4a, .m4v, .mp4, .aif, and .aiff audio file formats, as well as any recorded notes using the free Dragon Recorder app for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch (fourth gen). Dragon Dictate 3 also supports a wide variety of Bluetooth headsets for input. Other features include a claimed 15 percent improvement in accuracy and the app has beefed up its correction methodology. As before, Dragon Dictate allows you to control your Mac by voice and it supports commands for dictating into the Mountain Lion Notes and Reminder applications. The application is available for pre-order now at US$199.00. Owners of previous products like MacSpeech Dictate or Dragon Dictate can upgrade for $149.99. Downloads will be available on September 13, and boxed orders begin shipping on September 24. This is a welcome update for people who like to use speech recognition software. I've dictated large parts of a book I wrote using Dragon Dictate and I use it frequently for emails and reports. Of course Mountain Lion has built-in speech recognition with a feature called Dictation, but I find it a hit-and-miss proposition. Sometimes it works pretty well, sometimes it is completely unresponsive. The Dragon Dictate product, unlike the Apple Dictation feature, does not require an internet connection to work. We'll get a review copy of this latest Dragon Dictate soon, and will have a detailed review once we've given it a thorough test drive. Screenshots are below. %Gallery-164418%
Nuance's 'Nina' vocal assistant SDK may voiceprint users for authentication
Nuance has introduced a brand-new voice interface for smartphones that it's calling Nina -- you can see it in action in a video just posted online. Nina is a mobile OS interface that's open to third-party developers, so it's essentially a Siri that any app developer (willing to read through the documentation and implement the API) can use in their own apps. And it comes with an extra feature: in addition to simply understanding commands and feeding back information, Nina can also use your voice as a passcode, double-checking who you are just from your vocal tones. Nina is an open API, according to Nuance. Developers interested in implementing it can find out more via Nuance's website. Hopefully we consumers will start seeing more of these technologies showing up in apps soon. [via Engadget]
Voice assistant 'Nina' lets any app obey commands, makes speech your password
Voice recognition technology from Nuance is all over the place -- in everything from Smart TVs to Beemers. But today, in response to the growth of device-specific voice assistants like Siri and S-Voice, the company wants to take things down a different route: launching a mobile SDK for iOS and Android that any third-party app can employ. Baptized "Nina," the voice assistant won't only be able to understand instructions, but will also identify the speaker using vocal biometrics. That means Nina could potentially pay a bill, arrange a bank transfer, book a vacation or even interact with government services without ever requiring you to enter a password. The video after the break shows just how intimate things could get -- assuming you're able to find a spot where the two of you won't be overheard.
Dragon NaturallySpeaking 12 voice recognition coming in August for $100, cares what you have to say
Sick of talking to yourself? Get ready to ride the wild voice recognition dragon. Nuance announced this morning that the 12th version of its Dragon NaturallySpeaking software will start shipping the week of August 13th. The upgrade to the fire-breathing dictation app brings 100 new features, including faster performance, a 20-percent improvement in accuracy, better adaptation to user preferences, more integration with Gmail and Hotmail and extended support for the Dragon Remote Mic app on Android. Interested parties can pre-order the latest release start today for $100. More info in the press release after the break.
BMW's 3 and 7 Series to be the first with Nuance's Dragon Drive! Messaging aboard
It somehow feels like it was only yesterday that Nuance unveiled its Dragon Drive! creation to the world, hoping to in the process make drivers' lives easier by delivering a fresh eyes / hands-free messaging system inside connected cars. Unfortunately, back then the savvy company didn't announce any partnerships with auto manufacturers -- still, we had a feeling it wouldn't be too long before one of them would want to come along for the voice dictation ride. The good news is, that's about to change pretty soon. Per the outfit itself, BMW's decided to bring the Dragon Drive! tech to its 2012 7 Series later this month, with the 3 Series Touring and the eco-friendly 3 Series ActiveHybrid expected to get it "later this year." Notably, Dragon Drive! will offer multi-language support, including English, Spanish, Italian, French and German. There's no word yet on just how much the fee for the service will be, but we do know those who land themselves one of these new Beemers will get a two-month trial to take Dragon Drive! for a quick spin.
New Swype update brings 'four kinds of keyboard', sync-able voice-text dictionaries
If it's one thing Android does right, it's the sheer range of keyboard apps and skins available -- something its competitors haven't quite latched on to just yet. While SwiftKey has charmed us with its latest iteration, Swype's also been in the testing labs and it wants to show you what it's been up to. The new version packs the same next-word prediction from Nuance's XT9 heritage and a new voice-text dictionary sync feature will add new words to both speech and text databases. You can even get the app to crawl around your emails and texts for some extra (familiar) personalization. The latest version can now download over 55 languages, while Nuance has crystallized all of its know-how into a four-in-one keyboard. This includes the typical letter-to-letter swiping that the keyboard cut its teeth on, a more typical predictive text input run through XT9, integrated dictation through a Dragon button and the simple (but slower) fingertip input, where you can trace each individual letter. You can find the beta version of Swype's latest at the source link below. Take it for a test-drive and let us know if it's enough to nudge SwiftKey out of favor. (Update: The beta version hasn't gone live just yet. We're expecting it will launch soon.) (Update 2: And it's live!)
Nuance Dragon ID secures phones, tablets and PCs with your voice
Do you wish your phone would wake up when you commanded it to, like Galaxy S III? Well, it's not gonna happen (at least not without some hacking). But, your next phone might just sport the feature, all without having to be saddled with the rest of TouchWiz. Nuance is bringing its powerful voice recognition tech to OEMs and offering them the ability to not only unlock phones with voice controls, but lock them down using biometrics. In that way, it's actually got a leg up on S Voice. Dragon ID isn't a gimmick -- it's a security feature. In fact, if properly integrated, it can recognize multiple voices and open up to custom homescreens for each user. Sadly we have no idea when or where this tech will first show up, but we wouldn't be shocked to see it on both Android and Windows 8 tablets, as well as smartphones and PCs in the near future. For a few more scraps of info, check out the PR after the break.
Nuance's Dragon ID voice login could leap from Android to iOS
As jailbreak aficionados are quick to point out, the stock version of iOS isn't the most customizable mobile platform out there. Certain hooks are simply unavailable to App Store applications, while users of Brand X phones can take advantage of third-party tools to enable face unlock (or, if they're among the 7.1% of the installed base running the up-to-date Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, the built-in face unlock feature). If you want to go all Sneakers and have your voice be your passport on your handheld device, however, your choices are more limited. Voice authentication has been around for a long time (it came to the Mac back in OS 9, for you graybeards) but reliability and side noise concerns have kept it firmly on the sidelines for phone access. That's why Nuance's announcement today of the new Dragon ID framework is so interesting. The leader in voice tech is offering its underlying "voice biometrics" magic directly to Android OEMs with an eight-language kickoff, and more languages expected this year. Device manufacturers that license Dragon ID will be able to offer quick login, customized app launchers/home screens and more with just a brief passphrase uttered by the owner. Nuance already claims more than 20 million enrolled voiceprints for its technology, used by businesses and government agencies to provide voice security. Nuance isn't yet saying anything specific about iOS integration for Dragon ID -- "We aren't providing details yet, but we're in discussions with several of the top OEMs," was the word via the company's PR rep -- but then again, it doesn't have to advertise its intimate relationship with Apple's mobile offerings (and prudence dictates that it oughtn't do so, in any event). Aside from its standalone dictation, search and notetaking apps, the key voice-related patents and technology owned by Nuance are known to be the chatty power behind Apple's flagship iPhone 4S feature/beta test, Siri. Speculation only at this point, but.... Given the timing of the Dragon ID announcement, and the Star Trek factor of having a phone that permits or denies access with the sound of your voice, it's easy to imagine that Apple will carve out a bit of iOS 6 time at WWDC to show off an oddly similar feature to Dragon ID. Here's a video demo of the unlocking technology from Nuance: [hat tip to Phonescoop]
Nuance announces Dragon Drive, Siri-like functionality for cars
If you can't get enough of Siri's dulcet tones, then you'll be happy to hear that Nuance -- one of the companies behind Apple's intelligent assistant -- has announced a similar type of functionality that should be coming to cars soon. Dragon Drive replicates the power of Siri so that drivers can initiate a conversation to perform common tasks rather than take their hands off the wheel. Expected sometime this summer, Dragon Drive lets drivers send text messages, check traffic information, play music, or get directions by just asking. A button on the steering wheel activates the voice recognition so that other discussions in the car don't set off a search. Dragon Drive then uses onboard software to do part of the voice recognition rather than relying solely on remote servers like Siri. Like Siri, Dragon Drive learns a user's voice patters, and other noises like windshield wipers are filtered out. It's expected that the technology will soon be available to any smartphone user and in cars equipped with a cellular radio and SIM card. Nuance technology is already used in infotainment systems in cars by GM, Ford, BMW, and Daimler, but it is unknown how many of the car manufacturers will opt to use Dragon Drive. [via Macworld]
Dragon Drive! lets you take the wheel, while Nuance takes dictation
Do you like your cars smart? Are you itching to drive something a bit more K.I.T.T. than KIA? Well, this summer the glory of your Hasselhoff-soaked, '80s dreams will become reality, thanks to the folks at Nuance. Utilizing the same natural-language voice software currently employed across select mobile phones and TV sets, the outfit's hatched a new platform, dubbed Dragon Drive!, specifically for connected autos. The hands-free tech will support six languages at launch, with more to come throughout the year, giving drivers the ability to dictate texts and emails, as well as manage multimedia and navigation without ever lifting a finger from the wheel. So far, the company hasn't outed any initial partners for the voice recognition service. But if you're in the market for a high-end vehicle and your very own virtual Synergy, rest assured, your needs are going to be met. Hit up the break for the official presser and video tour.
Nuance adds Rovi's metadata to Dragon TV, becomes annoyingly good at TV trivia
Nuance, of Dragon TV fame announced today that it was licensing Rovi's (formerly known as Macrovision) metadata for its talky-TV platform. Once integrated, the application will be able to marshall far more information than it currently can -- enabling it to give answers to queries like "Who plays Chuck on Gossip Girl?" That said, we're not holding out much hope that it'll be able to answer our question about which guy from CSI played that bad guy in that movie we can't remember the title of, or something.
Nuance takes credit for voice features inside Samsung's 2012 Smart TV lineup
Back at this year's eventful CES, Nuance announced it was launching a platform to bring voice recognition services to connected TVs, among other devices. Now, just a few months later, the communications outfit's taking credit for the voice features packed inside Sammy's 2012 Smart TVs. Essentially, this means those speaking commands used to control the Smart Hub, applications like Skype and even web surfing are all powered by Nuance's Dragon technology. The move itself isn't a surprising one, given Nuance's credibility within the industry. So, now you know who's making it all happen the next time you're telling that ES8000 what to do.
Nuance updates its PDF converter for Mac
Nuance has released the newest version of its PDF Converter for Mac software. New features introduced include direct connections to cloud services such as PaperPort Anywhere and Evernote, and a FormTyper that converts PDF and paper into electronic forms that can be used online. The release also has OCR capabilities to create searchable PDFs and utilizes the Nuance OmniPage Document Conversion to turn PDFs into word-processing documents and spreadsheets. PDF Converter for Mac is $99, and a free trial is available. It requires OS X 10.6 or higher.
Mobile Miscellany: week of February 6th, 2012
Not all mobile news is destined for the front page, but if you're like us and really want to know what's going on, then you've come to the right place. This week, we've learned that T-Mobile is offering some of its best phones free after rebate (today only), and we've also spotted a new power management feature that seems destined for BlackBerry 7.1 OS. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride. Let's explore the "best of the rest" for this week of February 6th, 2012.
A second look (and listen) to Evi voice recognition for iPhone
Evi is the sort-of Siri clone. The $0.99 iPhone app is aimed mainly at people who don't have an iPhone 4S and want a Siri-like voice control experience. When I tried Evi some weeks ago it was a complete disaster. In a week of testing I could not connect once because of server issues. The developers said they were adding server capacity, and it seems they have. In extensive tests of the app this week, I only had one time when Evi was busy and couldn't respond. That is a great improvement. I found a lot to like now that the app is working, and some things that Evi excels at. When I asked Evi who the Chancellor of Germany was, I got the correct information, as well as pictures. Siri also got the question right, but no pictures. I thought the Evi experience was a bit better. When I asked for the best hamburger in Omaha, I got referred to a web site about Omaha Hamburger Joints from Urban Spoon. Siri rated the best ones based on reviews from Yelp. I thought Siri was more helpful, but Evi does include a web browser so you can stay in the app. Sometimes Evi does figure out the best local favorites without sending you to the web, but it seems hit and miss. For current weather Evi is second rate. When I asked for the weather in Phoenix it suggested the National Weather Service Web Page. Siri answered me directly and brought up the iPhone weather app. Where Evi really shines is if you ask a question with rather complicated syntax. Asking "Who is older, Barack Obama or Michelle Obama", Evi parses it all and gets it right answering the question directly. Siri gets you a Wolfram Alpha page with information, and you can scroll down to see the relative ages yourself (the President is 50, while FLOTUS turned 48 last month). Evi wins that round on presentation. Both apps use Nuance speech recognition, and it is excellent on both Evi and Siri. Evi still has a lot of negative reviews on the App Store because it simply didn't work for weeks. Now that it's pretty much up and running, reviews are getting more positive. If you have an older iPhone that can run iOS4 or greater, Evi is now a worthwhile investment. It can't interact with your calendar, use reminders, or wake you up, but it is very good at answering questions. If you have an iPhone 4S, Evi is probably worth the $0.99 because it does do some things better than Siri. Of course both apps are early in their development. Siri is still called a beta by Apple, and Siri has also had some server issues rendering it unusable at times. I'm glad I took a second look at Evi, and suggest you do the same. Check the galleries for some direct Evi-Siri comparisons. %Gallery-146715%
LG's Magic Remote is powered by Nuance
It was Monday morning at CES when LG unveiled its Magic Remote: a television zapper that recognized Wii-style motion control and voice recognition -- stripping out the fiddly array of buttons that most TiVo users are familiar with. Nuance, of Dragon Dictation fame, got all excited and lifted the lid on which company's voice recognition technology was powering the unit (hint: it's Nuance). Thanks to the handy press release after the break, we've learnt that if you bellow "Lady Gaga" into the unit, it'll return materials related to Ms Germanotta herself -- although if you've seen Jack Donaghy's voice-activated TV from 30 Rock, you might not be too convinced that you can kiss goodbye to buttons just yet.
Nuance launches Dragon Go! for Android, available today for free
As if its acquisition of Swype wasn't enough indication, Nuance has been working on its goal of dominating the Android speech recognition market, one step at a time. Today the company's pressing forward once again by introducing its Dragon Go! app for Google's mobile OS. The app focuses on verbal commands, giving you the ability to ask it to perform internet searches, make dinner reservations, buy movie tickets, play music on services like Pandora and Spotify and the list goes on. If you crave the specific details, make your way beneath the break and have a gander at the press release below.
Intel partnering with Nuance to bring voice recognition to Ultrabooks
So far in the last hour, we've learned that future Ultrabooks will have NFC, possibly larger screens and touchscreens (maybe even touch-enabled palm rests). Well, we've got one more marquee feature to add to the list: Intel just announced that it's partnering with Nuance to bring voice recognition to Ultrabooks. And it sounds like Intel's vision is comprehensive: the company envisions consumers being able to launch applications, compose emails, update social networks and control media playback. During the keynote, Intel PC client head Mooly Eden even said he would one day like to speak to the computer and have this words appear in a different language. Will that be a feature in the 1.0 product? We'll have to see when it starts hitting Ultrabooks later this year. Billy Steele contributed to this report.
