Microsoft, Apple, Android and Google all produce free voice recognition software which is built into devices or can be downloaded.
Speaking your thoughts about a project can be a good way of brainstorming ideas for keywords or project structuring.
Our library search system Locate also supports voice recognition. Click on the microphone in the Locate search bar to do a verbal search.
Windows has good voice recognition capability built into its operating system. This enables you to dictate to the computer and it will turn your spoken thoughts and ideas into text.
Voice recognition guide on Windows support pages for both Windows 10 and 11.
Built into the Mac operating system, voice recognition allows you to dictate documents to your Mac using just your voice. You can also control the Mac with voice commands.
Go to system preferences > accessibility > dictation. You may need to open dictation preferences and set them initially.
How to use guide on Apple support webpages.
Speech recognition can be activated when typing on your Android device.
If this facility is available in the app you are using, a microphone icon will appear on the keypad. Pressing this activates the speech recognition.
You should be able to access any other voice recognition or voice control software on your device by going to Settings and then Accessibility
Voice recognition can be activated when typing on your iPhone or iPad.
If this facility is available in the app you are using, a microphone icon will appear on the on screen keyboard.
Tapping this icon activates the voice recognition. Usually requires an internet connection to work.
To check if your iPhone or iPad has this capability go to Settings - General - Keyboards - Enable Dictation.
You can speak to write and edit documents on Google Docs. It supports a large number of different languages. This facility is currently only available on your computer when using the Chrome browser, (although the Google Docs app for Android and iOS does have this facility too).
It also requires an internet connection and Google account.
Please note: your speech is sent to Google's servers in order to turn it into text. You can use the built-in microphone on your computer if you have one. A good headset microphone works best though, as it helps cut out any background noise.