Apple hailed its voice recognition program, Siri, as a major breakthrough for mobile phone users. The voice-to-text technology was adapted for smartphone use via an Apple app, and it has experienced both praise and criticism. Nuance, makers of the award-winning Dragon voice recognition program purchased Swype, the widely popular replacement keyboard program for Android, Apple’s leading mobile phone OS competitor. Nuance combined the keyboard programme with its Dragon software and developed its own voice-to-text software for mobile phones.

While the Dragon tests its wings and fire, let’s take a look at both the Siri program for Apple products and the Swype-Dragon beta programmes for Android devices.

Apple’s Siri

Mixed user feedback on the Siri voice recognition software started arriving almost immediately. It allegedly had little tolerance for accents and even common slang. It’s supposed to be a learning programme that adapts and stores variations, but users are not happy with the wide learning curve. It has, however, definitely made life easier for many in some respects: Let’s give credit where it’s due.

Thousands upon thousands of words, spoken in a calm, easily understood, voice is the core of Siri. The gentleman who once participated in a voice program called David was surprised to learn via TV blurb, that it was his voice that powered Siri. Apple wasn’t happy with the gentleman stepping forward and commenting on the situation, but Apple’s attempts to block his comments failed. Users weren’t happy about Apple’s perceived interference with free speech either.

Putting all that aside, Siri can perform any number of functions, none the least of which is dictation, streamlining emails, letter drafts and even blog posts if integrated properly in a saved document. That, alone, is worth its weight in e-gold.

Swype-Beta

One of the strongest features of the Swype program is the finger motion capture along a string of keys. The finger swipe capture is an adaptive feature that learns what you mean the more it’s used.

For instance, if you draw a fingertip along the keys T through P, there are several combinations that are possible. Early in the learning curve, you choose which combination you want to form the right word in context. Swype remembers that and offers that combination higher on the list next time as the default interpretation.

The Dragon voice recognition programme starts the process. You speak. Your words appear on the screen. Swype to correct or type to input directly. The programs learn as you fine tune it.

Currently, the Swype-Dragon combination is in the testing phase. Nuance quickly notes that if you have Swype pre-loaded on your mobile phone, do not download the Beta version. Nuance also mentions that the Beta download is short-lived with six months in duration only, that it has limited functionality, and note problems and glitches on their Swype-Beta forum: Do not contact your mobile device manufacturer or your service provider. Neither can help with this Beta programme.

For more information, see Beta.Swype.com, and congratulations, Android lovers, for your patience. Voice-to-text is coming soon.