Today's issue of TechnoLawyer NewsWire covers speech recognition software for Mac-based lawyers (see article below), a free online forms creation service, a social network for gadget enthusiasts, organization and search software for Outlook, and an iPhone app for searching patents. Don't miss the next issue.
Speech Recognition for Mac-Based Lawyers
People communicate best through spoken language. Because that's not always possible, we developed written communication. But we don't have such luxuries with our computers. Instead, we use the keyboard and mouse. For lawyers of a certain generation, typing slows them down. And even younger lawyers can run into repetitive stress injuries. PC users have long relied on Dragon NaturallySpeaking Legal Edition to address these issues, but Mac users were out of luck. Until now that is.
MacSpeech Dictate Legal 1.5 … in One Sentence
MacSpeech Dictate Legal 1.5 is a speech recognition program for Macs with a 30,000 word legal dictionary.
The Killer Feature
When you beat IBM, you know you're good. Microsoft beat IBM (Windows versus OS/2). So did Dragon (now Nuance) with its NaturallySpeaking speech recognition software.
Given that NaturallySpeaking is the gold standard, MacSpeech licensed it for MacSpeech Dictate Legal. Importantly, MacSpeech didn't license an old version. MacSpeech Dictate Legal 1.5 uses the current NaturallySpeaking 10 Legal "engine," including the same 30,000 word legal dictionary.
In short, the two products are more than just kissing cousins. They're more like fraternal twins.
Other Notable Features
MacSpeech claims up to 99% accuracy with just a few minutes of initial training required. You can create multiple profiles if you share your Mac or switch between different microphones. If the legal dictionary does not contain a word or phrase you often use, you can train it (e.g., client and matter names). MacSpeech Dictate Legal works with most documents, including those initially created by typing.
In addition to writing with MacSpeech Dictate Legal, you can also use it to control your Mac and edit documents. The software understands keyboard commands such as "Press the Key Combo Command Return." For more elaborate tasks, you can create voice macros such as "Insert Signature" to add your full email signature to an email message. For editing documents, you can select and delete words and phrases, and even pinpoint where to place the cursor.
MacSpeech optimized MacSpeech Dictate Legal to work with Microsoft Word and TextEdit. It also works with virtually all software that supports text, including iChat, iPhoto, and the iWork suite.
What Else Should You Know?
MacSpeech Dictate Legal requires an Intel-based Mac running Mac OS X 10.5.6 or later. MacSpeech bundles the VXI TalkPro Xpress USB headset microphone with MacSpeech Dictate Legal at a price of $595. You can instead order the Revolabs xTag Wireless Mic for an extra $200, the Voice Tracker USB Array for an additional $240, or the Samson Airline 77 Wireless UHF for an additional $300. Learn more about MacSpeech Dictate Legal 1.5.
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So many products, so little time. In each issue of TechnoLawyer NewsWire, you'll learn about five new products for the legal profession. Pressed for time? The "In One Sentence" section describes each product in one sentence, and the "Killer Feature" section describes each product's most compelling feature. The TechnoLawyer NewsWire newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.
