If you thought that your mobile’s audio capabilities stopped at making calls or playing music, then you’ll be surprised by today’s selection of apps, enabling you to turn your handset into a dictaphone or even a Lady Gaga inspired karaoke machine…
Many aren’t just fun or time-wasters, except the karaoke one of course, I can see them all having benefits in a working environment, particular if you need to act quickly and don’t have anything else at hand.
Remember that due to various factors, such as accent and intonation, the apps that have voice recognition functionality are sometimes going to produce interesting results, and by interesting I mean wrong.
Here are some of the most useful audio applications, consisting of a few old favourites and others that have just been launched:
The Dragon Dictation App
The Dragon Dictation app is really simple to use and allows you to record audio clips which the app then turns into text. You can go into the text and amend it with a keypad if it doesn’t turn out quite right and then you can share it via social networks or email.
I’ve been playing around with Dragon Dictation and so far there have only been three mistakes in the recognition, so it would be perfect for recording calls or short interviews.
Free for Apple OS devices. BitchBuzz app rating: 4/5 for being so simple to use and transcribing when we don’t want to.
AudioBoo
AudioBoo is both a mobile app and a web platform that allows you to record and upload audio. You can then create your own profile and share your clips across different networks. I can see this being another useful app if you need to quickly interview someone, but you care more about the audio than transcribing the text afterwards.
Again, it’s very easy to use and an extremely popular app with a large following. I also personally love the fact the little audio clips are called “boos”. How cute.
Intro to Audioboo from Mark Rock on Vimeo
Free for both Apple OS and Android devices. BitchBuzz app rating: 4/5 because again it’s so easy to use and there’s such a large AudioBoo community to share with.
Google Translate
Google Translate is an app that has been available on both Apple and Android platforms for some time. However, Google recently announced on its blog that Google Translate for Android will soon have a range of new features, including Conversation Mode. This new setting will allow users who speak two different languages to have a conversation, which the app will then translate in real-time and speak aloud so both parties can understand.
Although Google explains that the new functionality hasn’t been fully rolled out yet and the setting is still in its early stages, it’s still pretty revolutionary and I’m sure it’ll be an invaluable tool for personal and business situations in the future.
Google Translate is currently free for Apple OS and Android devices. But Conversation Mode will only be available for those with Android handsets. BitchBuzz app rating: 5/5 If it’s as good as it looks.
Voice Link
Voice Link allows you to make calls, send text messages, tweet or email someone all with your voice. At first glance this seems like a good idea, but I don’t know when you’d be too busy to swipe and tap but not too busy to have to check the voice recognition has worked constantly. Plus it could get a little messy if you update Twitter with what was meant to be a private SMS…
Free for Android devices. BitchBuzz app rating: 2/5 as I can see how some people may prefer it, but personally I’d rather just use my mobile as a mobile and not as someone I just boss around by shouting at them.
iOki
Now for something a little more light-hearted, iOki is an iPhone app that turns your mobile into a karaoke machine with lyrics, instrumentals and the ability to record your rendition of the track before editing it. But don’t worry, as far as karaoke apps go this is the best of the best, as iOki teamed up with the one and only Gaga back in 2009 to produce her very own version, Lady Gaga iOki.
I have no shame in admitting I have played around with iOki A LOT and although I felt absolutely ridiculous and my boyfriend thought I’d gone insane, it was fun and I’m surprised it’s still free.
Both the original iOki and Gaga’s version are free for Apple OS devices. BitchBuzz app rating: 3/5 for being fun yet still a little stupid.
Becca Caddy is a BitchBuzz Tech columnist and freelance writer. You can follow her @beccacaddy or read her blog beccacaddy.com.
Images via the Apple App Store, The Google Blog, Android Zoom and iOki.