Review: Nuance Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 Preferred Wireless speech recognition software

Speech recognition has been around for so long it's amazing we haven't been talking to computers for years.

However, the number of speech recognition software programs has dwindled and we're now left with just Nuance Dragon NaturallySpeaking. Version 9 promises increased accuracy and no training.

Recognition accuracy of the previous version of was already up at around 95% and its makers, Nuance – the company ScanSoft became – now claims 99%. Under test we didn't see this level of accuracy, but still only had to correct about one word in 30.

There are three main versions of Nuance Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 (DNS 9). Standard offers basic dictation into Microsoft Word and simple speech control of Windows.

Preferred extends control to virtually all Windows applications and dictation into Outlook and WordPerfect among many others.

Professional is intended for corporate users to customise to their own needs.

The Preferred version is also available as Preferred Mobile, with a Philips Digital voice recorder and Preferred Wireless, reviewed here, bundled with a Plantronics wireless headset.

Although Nuance claims that voice training isn't needed out of the box, training will undoubtedly improves its initial accuracy.

When DNS 9 is running, the only reference to it is the DragonBar, a strip like the Windows taskbar, which sits at top or bottom of the screen or clings to the active window. Here, you can control the parameters of speech recognition, such as any custom vocabulary.

When you first start, DNS 9 can be set to scan all your document files or e-mails, looking for specialist words you use in your everyday work. Once you've trained their pronunciation, the program uses them just like words from its own vocabulary.

As well as working with a cabled or wireless headset – the Plantronics CS60 conveniently recharges directly from its single USB connection and can be worn over an ear or with a headband.

DNS 9 will also automatically transcribe audio files and recordings from a variety of digital recorders or Pocket PCs.

DNS 9 may be the only kid on the block as far as speech recognition goes, but it's the plain kid with the glasses that gets straight ‘A’s.

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Nuance Dragon Naturally Speaking 8
Verdict: Shows that voice input can be a viable alternative to keyboards and because it's last years product you may find it a lot cheaper online
Rating: 4
Price: £80