I plan to test out more apps on more devices, but for now I’m starting with three apps that I have on my iPad: Pages, Google Docs, and Word.
Since I don’t have access to a third iPad, my first comparison of dictation using online word processor apps included:
the Pages app on an iPad Pro (11-inch) (3rd generation),
the Google Docs app on an iPad Pro (11-inch) (3rd generation), and
the Word app on a Dell desktop (Microsoft 365) (Windows 10)
I wanted all the apps open and dictating from the same thing—me reading my blog Can Your Creativity Trust You?
My first impression of the Word dictation was less than enthusiastic. But I wanted to give Word a fair evaluation and maybe the problem was the mic on the computer that I used to test the desktop app. So I did a second reading and compared:
the Word app on an iPad Pro (11-inch) (3rd generation) and
the Word app on an iPhone 8
Here's what I found...
Comparing dictation apps for writing
#1 Pages
Bottom line: I’ll use Pages
It added decent punctuation for the most part. Putting in question marks without me saying it. The recording shows that it missed the first question mark, but the numerous test dictations prior seemed to include it with no problem. I’m sure it was me.
The Pages app comes with your iPhone, iPad, and most Apple devices. There is currently no Pages download for PC.
The Pages dictation on iPad
Comparing the original text to the Pages dictated text. The blue highlights indicate I misspoke. The red highlights are mistakes by Pages. Most issues with the dictation on Pages were incorrect punctuation to indicate end of sentence. Again, that could be related to my delivery. Other mistakes included missing possessive indicators, mistaken verb tenses, or confusing verbs and nouns. For example: you instead of your and answered instead of answer. Only two words were completely wrong: I did instead of idea / head instead of had.
Comparison of the blog text and the Pages dictation
It was interesting that Pages initially had written Blocked instead of Blog on the second sentence. It wasn’t until midway through the next paragraph that it corrected to Blog.
#2 Google Docs
Bottom line: The dictation was almost as good as Pages.
There isn’t any major difference that I can point at to explain my preference for the Pages app. Maybe it’s just because the iPad is an Apple product and Pages feels a little more seamless and intuitive than the Google Docs app. I think the next evaluation I would try is Google Docs on the desktop and a tablet that isn’t an Apple product.
The Google Docs app is accessible on any mobile device, tablet, and computer. Google Docs is free for most users.
As you can see in the video below, I dictated using the dark theme, but when I exported the document as a PDF, it reverted to a light themed background. It wasn’t a problem for me. Just FYI.
The Google Docs dictation on iPad
Having looked at the mistakes in this Google Docs dictation, which were similar to Pages, I wonder if I was the common cause of many of the mistakes. My enunciation may not have been clear enough. Dictation takes practice for both the speaker and the app.
Comparison of the blog text and the Google Docs dictation
#3: Microsoft Word
Bottom line: I won’t be using Word for dictation on any device
All three Word apps (desktop, iPad, and iPhone) got some words right that Pages and Google Docs didn’t. But the complete lack of punctuation at the end of sentences makes the editing much more difficult. I tried to make a clear pause. I’d rather correct a few words than figure out whether a phrase is part of the previous thought or the next idea.
The Word app on iPad shut down a third of the way through the dictation. Definitely not a good sign. What would happen if I was on a roll and didn’t notice the app had stopped? Just as scary as when your writing isn’t automatically saved and you lose power. Yikes!
The Microsoft Word app comes with your Microsoft 365 subscription and works on PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Android phones and tablets. If I didn’t need it for work, I wouldn’t pay for Microsoft 365, and I wouldn’t have the mobile app capability.
The Word dictation on desktop
The Word dictation on iPad
The Word dictation on iPhone
Comparison of the blog text and the Word dictation on desktop
Comparison of the blog text and the Word dictation on iPad
Comparison of the blog text and the Word dictation on iPhone
More Options
Sometimes you need to Plan for What If situations, or maybe you can no longer write how you used to due to physical challenges. Start evaluating and determine which of the many dictation apps for writing you’ll use. Here are a few options and how-tos:
Use Dictation on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch—see that little microphone icon in the keyboard next to the space bar in almost every app you use? Click it and start talking.
Use Live Transcribe on your Android device.
Use Speech Recognition Software for dictation and transcription.
Dictate in Word (online version in Office 365 and 2019 onwards)
Type with your voice —voice typing (Google’s term for dictation and using voice commands) in Google Docs or Google Slides in Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari browsers
There are also apps and services that can transcribe your voice recordings into text
Check out PCMag for their Best Transcription Services for 2023
Resource Roundup:
Dhucks’ blog Can Your Creativity Trust You?
Dhucks’ blog Plan for What If
Pages for iPhone and iPad
Google Docs for iPhone and iPad
Microsoft Word for iPhone and iPad
Use Live Transcribe on your Android device
tl;dr
Evaluate your apps for dictation. You never know when you might need it.
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