Product Awards
Intro para
The latest speech recognition software
from Dragon is a pure delight. Dragon has been synonymous with speech recognition for a number of years now and their latest offering is as slick and professional as one would expect.
Unlike many market leaders, Dragon has had to continuously update and improve its software - not only because of more competitors in the marketplace - but also due to the fact that both of the leading operating system makers (Microsoft and Apple) are fast becoming capable with their own, baked in offerings. While still some way behind something as comprehensive as Dragon Naturally Speaking 10 the operating system solutions are certainly beginning to snap at its heels.
With this release, the Dragon software sees a whole host of new automation tools, improved hands-free navigation, updates to the user interface itself, and—most importantly for us users—increased accuracy, speed and ease of use. I tested Dragon NaturallySpeaking 10 Professional, the flagship general-purpose edition. It includes more specific commands for the most popular business applications (like the Microsoft Office Suite).
GETTING STARTED
All in it took me about 30 minutes to install the software. This didn’t count the time it took me trying to find a machine with a high enough specification to actually install it on.
It’s understandable that such a complex piece of kit needs a fair bit of processor power so keep in mind that you’ll need at least a 1-GHz CPU and 1GB of free hard drive space, as well as 512K or RAM. Sadly the small netbooks I had available were unable to actually get the software running - even though (on paper at least) they were above spec. Not to worry though, I tracked down a relatively modern desktop, slotted in the disk and away I went.
Be sure to bear the hardware needs in mind if you do opt for this software as the program is quite CPU intensive and I would suggest you have a machine that’s quite a bit over the minimum guidelines that Dragon recommend.
Once you actually get into the software proper, there is a comprehensive set of tutorials available (you can also allows view video training segments - perfect for me, who finds it far easier to learn new software through watching rather than reading).
LETS GO
The developers claim that the average typist today enters 35 words a minute with 58-percent accuracy. They say their new product improves accuracy over its predecessor by 20 percent and will average 160 words per minute, properly converting 99 percent of what it hears.
To be honest, I assumed this was merely a bit of marketing babble - expecting so much would be unfair. Quarter of an hour into my time though, and I was easily nearing these figures. I would love to take the credit (obviously due to my crystal clear tones and voice pattern like a lark) but the software simply did an absolutely outstanding job at understanding me.
I sped up, slowed down, mixed it up a bit but time and again the software grabbed my voice and seemed effortlessly to convert it to type. Within an hour I was running at an accuracy rate of over 95 percent.
CONTROL
Depending on your mobility, many can drop using the mouse and keyboard completely, letting dragon do virtually all of the work for them - and it does it very well. Not only are we talking typing here but the software can control your web browser, making your computer use a truly interactive experience. The software supports commands in Microsoft Word, Corel WordPerfect, Microsoft Outlook Express, Internet Explorer AOL and is particularly well disposed to FireFox.
Very quickly you find yourself navigating the web with ease and for some out there this could be enough alone to justify purchasing the software.
As it stands I am continuing in my use of the program and as I gain confidence in navigating and exploring its abilities, it is actually becoming more used to my voice, my nuances of speech, and adapting itself to suit. Very impressive.
OVERALL ABLE RATING: 5 STAR PRODUCT
There were a couple of issues that very nearly kept Dragons Naturally Speaking 10 out of our 5 star winner list. Firstly, there is no Mac version. Secondly, the Operating System equivalents in Vista and OSX are fast becoming a realistic alternative. Finally, the hardware requirements are a bit heavy - possibly alienating some who cannot afford a high enough spec machine to run it properly.
All in all though, taking all this into consideration it’s still a fantastic piece of software that really does deliver. In fact, I used it to write this review.
PRICING: £78.99 - £299.99
www.nuance.co.uk
Out in the wild the rugged build and form brings the Trekinetic into its own.
Trekinetics plans behind the K2 are certainly ambitious enough, Mission Statement: ‘Via an innovative approach we will originate a new concept in manual wheelchair design. By challenging conventional layouts and by evolutionary development, we will introduce a superior product, that will hopefully capture the imagination of both wheelchair users and the able bodied alike. Born from a philosophy to seek out radical solutions to complex engineering issues, utilising cutting edge materials and processes, we will look to improve the mundane image of the manual wheelchair. In so doing, we will seek to offer an enhanced lifestyle and future for their occupants’
For many this may sound rather grandiose but from Mike Spindle at Trekinetic, with his Formula 1 engineering background you take notice. We got a hold of the non-attendant K2, a beautiful piece of sculpted aluminium, stainless steel and carbon fibre for a close-up look at what the chair has to offer.
FORM: 5/5
Well, as you can see, the chair looks spectacular. It has a taut, rugged aesthetic that beautifully integrates the clean anodised lines of the frame with the robust, oversized tyres and sculpted carbon fibre seat. The chair has been examined and re-engineered in the minutest detail. The most striking difference to a normal chair is of course the three-wheeled design which offers a far higher level of control and stability for difficult terrain. From the armrests to the telescopic footrest, braking system to umbrella holder there is a cohesive design ethos that quite simply makes the K2 one of (if not the) smartest looking chairs on the market. It’s rare to see a wheelchair that has such a clear vision of its overall form and we would love to see manufacturers across the board have this much commitment to form as well as function.
DESIRABILITY: 4/5
We certainly got more than a few remarks on the chair when we were out testing – all of which were positive. The unusual 3-wheeled pivot design drew admiring glances from disabled and able bodied alike. It’s unusual for a wheelchair to be a talking point in its own right but the K2 shouts out with attitude.
INNOVATION: 4/5
As we mentioned, each part of the chair has been re-examined and re-designed to offer simple, rugged usability. Trekinetic have thought long and hard about what they should bring to the table and the results show. The three-wheeled design not only proves its mettle in the mud but enhances steering and control at all times. This innovation isn’t confined to the large ideas either. Sure, the Dyna-Brake system is tremendous (although it does take a bit of getting used to - a couple of times our users nearly catapulted to the tarmac) and the carbon fibre seat is a joy but small touches like the umbrella holder and the drilled armrests help push the K2 into a new league.
FUNCTION: 4/5
In its element (outdoors) the K2 was exceptional. The large tyres and sturdy composition of the chair handled difficult environments with ease. For an outdoorsperson the chair is truly astounding, taking tough terrain in its stride – from cobbles to muddy country lanes, urban bumps and lumps to rural sticks and puddles – the rugged build made it all a breeze. If you were to keep to this environment it is truly a great chair. We found certain problems when the usage switched to everyday use however. It’s relatively bulky form made it awkward to fit through some of our office doors and the laid back seating position (even when placed fully upright) meant it was ill suited to use for prolonged periods at a desk. Our tester was also unable to dismantle the chair and place it in his (small) car without aid. Of course many people have the mobility to store a chair in the boot and it popped in there with ease. One of our testers was also unable to manoeuvre the chair around his (small) home, again due to the size discrepancy of the doorframes. Unsurprisingly, for us this keeps the K2 firmly wedged in the specialised wheelchair category rather than an everyday chair. For many, of course, this size won’t be an issue and for them the chair may indeed suit full-time as many of their current user base attest to.
VALUE: 3/5
With prices starting at £2295 it’s far from a cheap option, and a few of our testers baulked at the price tag, but in relative terms many happily pay more for premium outdoor equipment such as professional mountain bikes. With that in mind, if you have the cash to spare and have the lifestyle that calls for rugged transport it could be money well spent.
OVERALL ABLE RATING: 4 STAR PRODUCT
Overall, the K2 is a tremendous chair when it’s out in the wild. Mike Spindle at Trekinetic has rebuilt a chair from the ground up with real passion and it shows. That alone deserves our respect and our support. We wish them great success with the K2 and our advice is, if you are looking for a rugged outdoor chair have a serious look at the Trekinetic K2, the manufacturers have.
