Nuance -- the company behind Siri's speech recognition -- has unveiled version 3 of its Dragon Dictate speech recognition software. The software will be available via Digital Download on September 13 with the physical box shipping on September 24.
Dragon Dictate 3 increases accuracy, speed, control of third-party applications, and support for transcription from digital voice recordings -- a feature that will be useful for many professions.
Nuance Communications, Inc. today announced Dragon® Dictate for Mac 3, the most powerful, accurate and personalized voice recognition software for the Mac available on the market today. With increased accuracy and significant feature updates, Dragon Dictate lets people quickly and easily create and edit content, and command and control their favorite Mac applications by voice – anytime, anywhere.
Dragon Dictate harnesses the power of the renowned Dragon NaturallySpeaking voice recognition technology to let Mac users simply speak to see their words instantly captured in real time on their screen. Dragon Dictate for Mac 3 is the most robust version of Dictate yet, with a 15 percent increase in accuracy, new Smart Format Rules and new correction capabilities for a personalized experience, wideband Bluetooth support, the ability to transcribe recorded audio files from a single speaker, and much more.
Dragon Dictate for Mac 3 is available for $199.99 as a digital download, a $199.99 physical box with a USB headset, or in several other configurations of varying prices.
Top Rated Comments
I've been using version 2.0 (now updated to v2.5.2) for about a year now, and I was totally floored just now to learn that Nuance wants the full $150 upgrade price, even though I'd only be upgrading 1 step in the development!
Seems crazy that their upgrade price is so high! Especially if you consider they will likely want the same amount in coming years with future upgrades.
Further, they just told me that my version (2.5.2), is not supported by Mac OS Mountain Lion (I haven't upgraded yet, is this true?).
What a way to keep your customers happy, Nuance! :mad:
As for me, I'm abandoning ship, and won't be paying such high prices to upgrade. I'll use this version while I can, then I anticipate other, more open developers (e.g., Google) will have dictation solutions that will not only be more reasonably priced, but will likely work better as well.
I’d still choose the download to save waste, but a discount for the $35 headset (http://www.nuance.com/for-individuals/by-product/dragon-for-pc/dragon-accessories/index.htm) would be fair. (Or a free-with-shipping headset even.)
I bought it, hoping it would be an improvement over 2.0, which is worthless, and for which I can get no support. I was lured in by the 90 day guarantee.
After downloading, I was advised I need iOS 10.7 or higher, which I don't have on my networked computer. So I tried to cancel with online help, and was told that I needed to call. Seeing as how the World will end in 3 months, I decided against that, since I don't want to spend the rest of my life on Nuance customer service.
Bottom line: they'll make it very difficult to get a refund.
Here's my chat with the so called "customer service" representative:
Please wait while we find an agent to assist you...
Hello, welcome to Nuance Chat. Please briefly describe your goal or question and I will connect you with the best resource to meet your objectives.
Thomas Green: Hi, how may I help you today?
Customer: i need a refund. just tried to update, and am told, after I download, that I need iOS 10.7 or greater. It would have been nice if that was somewhere in the advertising
Thomas Green: Our support department will be able to help you. In North America, you can reach our customer service team anytime between 9 AM and 6 PM Eastern Time, Monday to Friday. They can be reached by calling 1-800-654-1187
Customer: oh for God's sake. I don't want to call
Customer: and hold
Customer: i've tried using your so-called customer service before
Thomas Green: I understand what you are telling me, however, my role is to direct you to the best resource for your situation. The Customer Service Team will be best able to resolve your issue and they will be happy to assist you. You can contact them through the channels listed above.
Customer: I'll just cancel it through my credit card.
Customer: and review the product online, wherever I can
Customer: that would be a better use of my time
Customer: I almost didn;t buy due to prior bad customer service, but decided to do so based upon the 30 day guarantee
Thomas Green: I understand your concern however as I mentioned I above, my role is to direct you to the best resource for your situation. The Customer Service Team will be best able to resolve your issue and they will be happy to assist you. You can contact them through the channels listed above.
Customer: thanks for your help. they ought to change the box that says you can get help through chat, since it appears you probably only can help to sell
Customer: Is there anything you can do besides sell?
Thomas Green: As I mentioned above my role is to direct you to the best resource for your situation, I am only the operator.
Thomas Green: Our customer service department will be glad to assist you with your original inquiry
Customer: "I only work here?" Sorry to be an ass; I realize it's the company you work for, and not you, that I should complain about.
Thomas Green: Is there anything else I can help you with?
Customer: Apparently not, but thanks for asking
Thomas Green: Thank you for taking the time to chat with Nuance and have a great day!
Customer: i suppose you can pass on my disdain to your supervisor, for what that's worth