The gang at MacSpeech are rapidly approaching beta status for iListen 1.1, and they’re looking for beta testers.
The Mac-only company is preparing to issue its first external beta release of version 1.1 of iListen. This version will let users adapt their voice model through Correction, as well as the ability to add new words to the user’s vocabulary from a text file, and several other enhancements and bug fixes.
iListen, MacSpeech’s speech recognition software, has “TalkAnywhere” technology, which lets you dictate into virtually any Mac application. It translates speech to typed text and characters anywhere you would normally type. iListen is speaker dependent, meaning you have to spend some time “training” iListen to the unique cadence and timbre of your voice. However, it can handle multiple users, each with their own speech files.
If you want to be a beta tester, you must have one of the following systems: Power Mac G3 or G4 (Beige, Blue & White, or Graphite), PowerBook G3/G4 (but not the PB G3/250, the first one released), Cube, or iMac. Your Mac can’t be using a processor upgrade card (except for ZIF upgrades) and must be running Mac OS 9.0 or 9.0.4. That means no Mac OS 9.1 or Mac OS X (though MacSpeech does plan an OS X version of their software). You also must have at least 128MB of physical RAM, a high quality headset, a fast Internet connection, and at least four hours this week to dedicate to installing, testing and reporting.
If you are interested in beta testing, and meet the criteria, please send MacSpeech an e-mail. There are a limited number of slots available for beta testers. Those who meet the criteria will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. All beta testers will receive a complimentary copy of the final version of iListen 1.1 via electronic download.
iListen 1.0.1 is currently available and is being sold for the introductory price of US$99 for the downloadable version or $109.95 for the CD version without a headset, and includes a free upgrade to the next version.