voice recording
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Facebook will pay for user recordings to improve speech recognition
Facebook may have stopped listening to and transcribing Messenger voice chats, but it still needs voice recordings to improve its speech recognition technology. So the company is going to pay select users to record snippets of audio through a new program called "Pronunciations," The Verge reports. In exchange, users can earn up to $5.
Microsoft says humans will still transcribe Cortana and Skype audio
Just like seemingly every other major tech company with a voice assistant or voice chat service, it emerged that Microsoft contractors were listening to Skype and Cortana recordings. Apple, Google and Facebook have temporarily halted similar efforts, and Amazon lets users opt out of having Alexa conversations reviewed by humans. But Microsoft will continue the practice for the time being despite possible privacy concerns.
Amazon considered letting Alexa listen to you without a wake word
A patent made public today and filed by Amazon would allow the company's voice assistant Alexa to start recording audio before users say a "wake word." According to the patent, it would allow users to more naturally communicate with their devices, saying phrases like "Play some music, Alexa" rather than starting each command with "Alexa" or another chosen wake word. Currently, the voice assistant is unable to listen to or understand commands until the user utters the wake word.
Audio Memos for iOS: Like Apple's Voice Memo, only much better
Apple's Voice Memos has been around since iOS 3, and in iOS 7 it got a new look and a new icon, but no new features. You can record a voice memo, trim it, and email or text it and Voice Memos also supports AirDrop. It's a good audio recorder, but it's not for the power user. Audio Memos is far more powerful, and it's only US$0.99. Many users will probably end up buying all of the in-app purchases that take the app price to $9.99. If you can pick and choose to get the features you really need, Audio Memos is powerful, inexpensive, and useful. Like Apple's Voice Memos, the basic Audio Memos app is, well ... basic. It records voice memos, and it supports iCloud, so you can grab your memo from any device signed into your iCloud account. Voice memos can also be emailed to recipients. The app records in the background, so you can record a lecture while checking your email or playing a game if you like. Apple's Voice Memo also does this. When in recording mode, a red bar is visible across the top of your screen. Tap it and you are returned to the Audio Memos. The app also supports selective erase of part of a recording, but no fancy editing or trimming. Even at the basic level of the app, there is a lot of power. In-app purchases give you the ability to send pictures along with an audio file, to insert audio into a recording, to compress an audio file to make it smaller and there are also trimming options available. All the options can be purchased together as a $9.99 package, saving some money over buying separately. Or a user could go for Audio Memos Pro, ($9.99) which has all the add-on features of the $0.99 version and all of the in-app additions, and also adds increased security, variable scrubbing speeds and more. Both apps are easy to use, and share the same GUI. Audio quality is excellent. The iPhone microphone really is good quality, but users rarely get to hear just how good it is. Both apps have extensive and concise built-in help. Recordings are done in WAV format, which is pretty much universal and PC-friendly. Recording can be triggered by a button, by a voice, or the app can be set to record at a particular time, pretty handy for recording a speech from a podium with an unattended iPhone or iPad. The basic app will work for casual use. You may want to add some in-app purchases, but if you want the whole Audio Memos experience it makes sense to spring for the Pro version. I would also recommend that TUAW readers who are interested in audio recording take a look at Dictaphone, a free app that contains many, but not all the features discussed above. The app supports sharing of files, MP3 and WAV recording, external mic support, background recording, and much more. Like Audio Memos, some of the features require an in-app purchase. All the Audio Memos apps require iOS 5 or greater and they are universal apps. All these apps go well beyond the Apple Voice Memo app, and are worth a look by the serious recordist. I think the differences between the Pro and regular version are a bit fuzzy. I'd like to see the basic app include more features even if it commands a slightly higher price, but something under $9.99 would be reasonable. If you just want to sample Audio Memos for free, there is a 'lite' version. It places some limits on recording file size and drops features like bookmarks, voice and timer activation, and reduces the sharing options.
iRig MIC Cast brings podcast recording to your pocket
IK Multimedia has just released the new iRig MIC Cast (US$39.99), a tiny plug-in microphone for iOS devices that promises to make recording podcasts anywhere a reality. The iRig MIC Cast is a little bit larger than a US quarter, with a gold-plated plug, an output port for monitoring recordings, and a two-position gain switch. I was initially concerned that the plug wouldn't work with the Apple Bumper for the iPhone 4/4S, but it plugged in easily and was ready to go in a snap. IK Multimedia, the manufacturer of the iRig MIC Cast, offers free versions of two apps to anyone who buys the microphone -- iRig Recorder FREE and VocaLive FREE -- but the mic also works well with my favorite recording app, GarageBand. The iRig MIC Cast comes with a small folding stand for your iPhone or iPod touch, perfect for doing hands-off recordings. Once you've started the recording, that's where the magic of this device is really apparent. It's an extremely unidirectional mic, so background noises tend to be masked by the voice being recorded. IK Multimedia notes that the iRig MIC Cast provides "an incredibly flat frequency response with zero tonal coloration", a fancy way of saying that it does a really good job of capturing voice recordings. I found the iRig MIC Cast to be much better for making voice recordings than IK Multimedia's $59.99 iRig Mic, which I reviewed in March 2011. Here's a sample podcast recording done in one take with the iRig MIC Cast using Apple's GarageBand app for iOS: While I wasn't impressed with the iRig Mic, I have no such qualms about the iRig MIC Cast. I can easily see recording and editing podcasts from my iPhone or iPad using this microphone. IK Multimedia has created the perfect pocket mic for making podcasts or other voice recordings on your iOS devices. Pros Tiny and lightweight, easily pocketable Gain is adjustable for nearby and far away sources Earphone jack for monitoring your recording sessions Comes with free voice recording apps and a tabletop stand Affordably priced Very good sound quality Cons Small size might make it easy easy to lose
IK Multimedia releases iRig MIC Cast for recording, podcasting on the go
IK Multimedia today released the iRig MIC Cast (US$39.99), a tiny coin-sized microphone for iOS devices that is targeted at those who need to record interviews or podcasts. According to the company, the iRig MIC Cast was designed with "a tight unidirectional pickup pattern that minimizes background noise, making it ideal for single-source audio recording." As you can see in the image above, the iRig MIC Cast has a built-in stereo mini-jack headphone output so you can monitor while you record. There's a sensitivity switch (Lo-Hi) for recording close or distant sources, and the connector will work with most iPhone/iPod touch cases. IK Multimedia also sees the iRig MIC Cast as a great tool for phone calls and FaceTime chats, boosting your voice quality well over what the built-in microphone can do. Two free apps are included with the mic: iRig Recorder, which is used for voice recording and editing, and VocalLive, a "multi-effects processing app for singers." There's also a small tabletop stand included so you can record hands-free. TUAW will post a full review of the iRig MIC Cast in the near future.
LittleBigPlanet 2 beta adds voice recording feature
On January 18, Media Molecule will launch Griffin McElroy's 2011 Game of the Year, LittleBigPlanet 2. Some people are lucky enough to be in the beta right now, supping on the game's alluring blend of platforming and secret spices before they must pay to do so. If you're one of those lucky few, we'd like to inform you of a new feature in the beta: voice recording. In a pre-launch update on the PlayStation Blog, Mark Valledor, marketing manager at SCEA, offered a tutorial video showing how users can record voices in the game and assign them to characters. It was made by YouTube user Sackinima and sums voice recording up pretty well, so we've gone ahead and embedded it past the break -- fast-forward to 2:30 for the good stuff.
Logitec's LIC-iREC01 puts a stereo mic on your iPod
There's no shortage of microphones for one's iPod, but Logitec is looking to earn the business of those still on the hunt with its LIC-iREC01. Put simply, this dock connector appendage is said to work on "all generations of iPods" (with dock connectors, obviously), and provides a built-in stereo mic for voice recording on the fly, an additional audio input for connecting something more sophisticated, and a mini-USB port for keeping your PMP synced while this thing is plugged in. At the moment, pricing details are unknown, but those camped out in Japan can look for it to land in their neighborhood later this month.[Via AkihabaraNews]
Rumors: Is iPhone firmware 1.1.3 about to debut?
TUAW reader Josh Zeller tipped us off to this electronista post suggesting that a big firmware upgrade is about to bow, bringing voice recording and disk mode to the iPhone. If true, these major features would be welcome additions to the ever-growing iPhone user base. On the down side, every firmware upgrade comes as a roadblock to the third-party application community, requiring a new jailbreak. And yes, this would require a new jailbreak despite the possible disk access. Apple traditionally only grants access to the media portions of the unit's onboard storage. How much do we believe this rumor? Apple has been good about bringing out firmware upgrades every few weeks, so if you wait just a little while, pretty much any firmware upgrade rumor comes true. As to the voice and disk details? These rumors have appeared for nearly every major firmware update--so eventually they may just be right... if you wait long enough.
SanDisk's Sansa C250 goes red and pink
Calm down fellas, you haven't let Valentine's Day slip up on you or anything, but SanDisk is looking out for those who like to look way ahead, or for those with in-the-know mums who need a new pocket-sized DAP for Mum's Day. The Sansa C250 digital audio player falls into the bargain-priced C200 series, and while a black iteration has been available for some time now, those who haven't caved and snapped up the highly-regarded Sansa Express can grab a pink or red C250 in 1GB or 2GB flavors. They also sport 1.4-inch color displays for showing album art and JPEG thumbnails, an FM tuner, radio recording abilities, a voice recorder, USB 2.0, a microSD expansion slot, and a removable, rechargeable Li-ion cell that purportedly offers up 15 hours of battery life on a full charge. The 10.4-ounce music machine is currently on sale for a penny under $80 at the store you love to hate, while the less spectacular black version will save you $20.
SanDisk's Sansa Express takes its turn, gets reviewed
It's no secret that the Sansa lineup of music players have fared pretty well in crunch time, and according to a glowing PCMag writeup, the diminutive (and simply titled) 1GB Express is no different. While it's difficult not to draw obvious connections between this pack 'o gum sized DAP and Apple's first-generation Shuffle, the built-in OLED alone gives it a serious edge. Additionally, reviewers raved over the included niceties (you know, the FM tuner, voice recorder, and microSD expansion slot) that aren't usually found on bottom-end players. Both the clean menu navigation and pocket-friendly size were also commended, and while the "crappy earbuds," unsurprising lack of an AC adapter, and "a modest 14 hours of battery life" were looked down upon, that still wasn't enough to stop the crew from handing out a 4.5 out of 5 rating.[Via ChipChick]
Olympus unveils VJ-10 clock radio, touts 37GB hard drive
Although the recording industry is making quite the stink around here about satellite radio receivers with internal storage, that's not stopping Olympus from kicking out a svelte clock radio with gobs of room for backing live broadcasts up. Granted, the VJ-10 only tunes into AM / FM transmissions, but the whopping 37GB internal HDD gives users the ability to store between 1,250 and 2,500 hours of footage based on quality into WAV files. Moreover, the USB 2.0 connector allows users to access the drive from any PC if you're looking to consolidate your radio and external storage, and the SRS WOW XT stereo speakers should provide decent office enjoyment as well. As expected, users can queue up recordings based on time, and thanks to the large integrated LCD screen, all the information you need will be front and center. Currently, the VJ-10 is slated to land in Japan on March 16th for the ever elusive "open price," but it looks like an English version will only be a fortnight or so behind.[Via AkihabaraNews]
Softtrends' LivePVR gives new meaning to "voice recording"
Our paranoid side tells us this app has "lawsuit" written all over it, but we're excited nonetheless. LivePVR, as its name suggests, acts as something of a PVR for voice; in its "meeting notes" mode, for example, it keeps a rolling buffer while recording, allowing the user to permanently save clips leading up to the moment. The more legally questionable "phone call" mode can be set up to automatically record every conversation or just the next call placed. A final "voice recorder" mode acts as a more traditional voice note app, with no limit to a note's maximum size. The whole package scoots out the door for $10 in Windows Mobile or S60 flavors.[Via Smartphone Thoughts]
Record 16-bit digital audio with your iPod
Here's a great podcasting tool. The MicroMemo by XtremeMac is a mic that plugs into your iPod's dock connector port and produces 22 KHz/16-bit, high quality recordings. The mic is on a flexible neck for easy positioning, and there's a built in speaker for instant playback (no need to put on the headphones). The MicroMemo is powered by the iPod (we're not sure how much of a strain that's going to put on the iPod's battery) and the mic can be detached. Plus it just looks cool.XtremeMac is currently taking pre-orders at $79.95US.
