Overview
Although not as talked about as the "retina display" and faster processor, one of the most useful features in the third generation iPad is the availability of integrated speech recognition. Unlike the speech recognition available in the iPad 1 and iPad 2, which required use of a separate speech recognition program and need to copy and paste text to other applications, the speech recognition in the 3rd generation iPad is fully integrated and available virtually anywhere the keyboard shows up. Initiated by clicking on the small microphone icon on the virtual keyboard, it involves cloud-based speech recognition which works by compressing your speech, sending it over the internet to a central processing facility where it is converted to text and sent back to you where it is inserted automatically in your document. Incredibly, this entire process takes just a few seconds and happens with a surprising accuracy.
We have extensively evaluated this new technology and find it to be extremely good for general dictation. It may have some limitations when used in the context of non-standard speech, such as those used by medical practitioners and others with unique vocabularies, although even in these situations it does extremely well.
How to use "Keyboard Dictation" on the New iPad
We've put together a couple of guides to speech recognition on the iPad, one related to audio aspects of the iPad in general (all generations) and another related specifically to Keyboard Dictation on the new, third generation iPad.
- Using Keyboard Dictation on the "New iPad" - this review tell you almost everything you want to know about the cloud-based speech recognition product on the new iPad and includes a table of available commands and punctuation.
- Using a microphone with the iPad: this is a review about the 3 methods of using a microphone with the iPad and is not specific to the new iPad. It includes some technical information, including "pin assignments" for the audio jack and 30 pin dock connector.
The iPad Headset Adapter - get this first!
Although you can use speech recognition on the iPad with a Bluetooth microphone, this turns out to be somewhat complicated and for the average user seeking improved performance over the on-board microphone, interfacing with the audio jack on the top of the iPad is the simplest and most reliable method to do so. The advantages of using a headset microphone plugged into the audio adapter are two-fold and include:
- Improved accuracy
- Improved external noise rejection
Unfortunately a standard headset microphone made for use with a personal computer or portable audio device cannot be used when plugged into the audio jack on the iPad because the jack has four terminals and plugging a microphone into this jack will actually short out the microphone terminal and the iPad will continue to default to using the on-board microphone. In order to get around this, Speech Recognition Solutions is happy to offer a simple audio adapter that splits the connections within the audio jack into those needed for stereo sound out and those for the mono microphone in. Pictured on the right, this adapter will allow you to use a headset adapter for speech recognition, Skype and other internet telephony applications, and with other audio applications such as Garage Band.
Warranty: 1 Year
Price: $14.95 with volume pricing available
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Microphones for the iPad
The following are headset microphones that we have specifically tested with the iPad and which we recommend. Keep in mind that for many or perhaps most casual users, the on-board microphone works fine. We have been very impressed with the results using the on-board mic and recommend these products only if you have the need for more intense accuracy, external noise rejection, or desire for the process to be a little more discrete. In general you can talk a bit more softly when using a headset microphone. Remember, you will need to purchase the iPad headset adapter (shown above) in order to use a headset microphone with your iPad.
Hearing is believing:
If you want to hear directly the difference in audio quality of the iPad on-board microphone versus some traditional headset microphones, click on the links below to hear some audio examples. We recommend that you play the top recording (the onboard microphone) first so you can compare it with the others. Although you will notice some differences in the "quality" of the sound, the truly monumental difference is the ability of a headset microphones, in varying degrees, to ignore external noise. The on-board microphone picks up almost everything in all directions from the iPad, while the headset microphones barely register the external noise.
[A note on the production of these files: These files were recorded using either the specified headset microphone attached using our headset adapter shown above plugged into the iPad audio jack, or with the iPad on-board microphone (top recording only). All files were recorded in .caf format using the iPad app "Sound Recorder" and then transferred to a pc where they were converted to .wav files using "Switch Sound File Converter Plus". External noise, which is introduced about half way through each recording, is coming from using playing directly in front of the recording subject, at a distance of about 2 ft. and with a sound level of about 65dB as measured at the microphone element.]
