Issues with OSX Speech-to-Text: A Review

As a user of Apple's Voice Control feature on my Mac, I've experienced several frustrating issues with the speech-to-text functionality. While it's great that this technology is bundled in free with every Mac, iPad, and iPhone, there are some significant limitations that can slow you down.

One of the biggest problems I've encountered is misquoting. This happens when Voice Control doesn't accurately transcribe what I'm saying, often because it doesn't take into account the grammar of a sentence. For example, dictating the word 'will' will sometimes result in capitalization of 'Will,' even though that's not correct.

Another issue I've noticed is that Voice Control can be intermittent and prone to errors. Pausing dictation or speaking in certain tones can cause the system to malfunction. This has led me to have to continuously clear up dictation errors, which can be time-consuming and frustrating.

Fortunately, Apple has recently added some new features to Voice Control in macOS 12.3 that can help alleviate these issues. For instance, you can now import or export Vocabulary and Custom Commands in Accessibility on Mac from a drop-down menu. This means you can transfer your custom vocabulary and commands built up over time to a new Mac.

However, this new feature also poses an issue when replacing your Mac. Previously, there was no way to transfer your custom commands and vocabulary, which could be a significant setback for those who rely heavily on these features.

Despite these limitations, Voice Control is still a valuable tool for many users, including those with disabilities. The fact that it works offline and allows for dictation rather than typing is a huge benefit. Additionally, the new feature of importing or exporting Vocabulary and Custom Commands can be very helpful in transferring custom vocabulary and commands built up over time to a new Mac.

Overall, while Voice Control has its limitations, it's still an important tool for many users. Apple continues to make improvements to this technology, which is great news for those who rely on it every day.

Osx speech to text