Using your microphone to type posts or texts.

[Happyflowerlady]

In another thread, there was discussion about how to use your microphone to dictate a post instead of typing. I think someone mentioned arthritis in their hands and fingers, which can make typing difficult. Rather than take that thread off-topic, I thought it made more sense to start a thread to discuss how to do this.
I use my ipad instead of a regular computer or laptop, but I think it would probably work about the same way on a regular computer or on a smartphone as it does on a tablet.

When I am going to write a reply here on the forum, or write a text message , when the space to type is open, at the very bottom is a pop-up section that helps me with words (if I were using a virtual keyboard) and has an icon for the microphone. If I click on that microphone icon, then I can speak and the ipad will type it for me.
Here is a screenshot of how it looks on my ipad. Different devices might show it differently, but look for that icon somewhere, and if you have it, then you can talk to type .

 

[PeppermintPatty]

I can do voice replies but I don’t. My fingers need the exercise. Plus my posts would be WAY too long. It’s good for people who really need it. Good idea HFG.

 

[Paco Dennis]

That sounds really good. I tried to do this with a laptop running Win 10. I tried for quite awhile and it didn't work well enough to really rely on it. The Chatbots write down what I say, so I guess I could type them there and then copy and paste. That would work...I might try it sometime. I would like it to be an option like you have, of just clicking on the microphone icon. I am sure it is coming soon but I probably will need new hardware to have it...we'll see.

 

[Paco Dennis]

I can do voice replies but I don’t. My fingers need the exercise. Plus my posts would be WAY too long. It’s good for people who really need it. Good idea HFG.

Yes, it is in the "Ease of Access" dictation thingy on Win 10. I wonder if anyone here has every has used it.?

 

[PeppermintPatty]

Yes, it is in the "Ease of Access" dictation thingy on Win 10. I wonder if anyone here has every has used it.?

I think some people use it. My in-laws accidentally used it the other day. They sent a message we weren’t suppose to get. lol

 

[Happyflowerlady]

I don’t use mine normally, but I have tried it and it does work. When I do surveys, I often use the iPad Mini and it only has the virtual keyboard, which is fine for answers that you click on multiple choice answers; but sometimes the surveys asks what you think about something, and then I had to use the virtual keyboard to answer. That is when I noticed the microphone icon, and it works perfectly for dictating an answer instead of using the virtual keyboard.

Since I have the Apple Magic Keyboard for my large iPad , it is basically like using a 13” laptop. Sometimes, i do get arthritis in my fingers, but it does not affect my typing very much. what is does affect is being able to knit and crochet, because my fingers do not want to hold the knitting needles properly. So, I just use the DMSO when that happens, so I can use my fingers better again.

 

[Hackney]

I'm using an old tablet with Google keyboard (Gbostd) installed. I can easily use voice typing but I tend not to so as not to irritate my Other Half with loads of inane game posts

 

[hawkdon]

well I have win 10 on this new laptop but don.t see the
microphone on here.....

 

[Roadwarrior]

D.....

 

[Happyflowerlady]

I do not have anything that uses windows, so I don’t know how it would work on that kind of device. I do not see the icon until I am actually ready to write a response to something , and when I am ready to start typing, then the little bar appears at the bottom of my desktop screen, and it has several different icons on it.
It does not appear until I have actually clicked into the reply area and ready to type something, so you have to use your cursor in the reply area before the icon pops up.

 

[Jules]

I can use it, but I would drive my husband crazy. Also, I have a speech impediment and can’t see you no.

This was just done on my iPad. Those highlighted words were “say an r”. I make enough mistakes as it is.

 

[hollydolly]

No Microphone on this Mac in the reply box of this forum... oooh that would be great to have that when my hands are soo painful and I'm creating lots of spelling errors when my fingers don't depress the keys on some letters...

 

[Happyflowerlady]

Maybe there is one on the new Fire Max 11 when you get your new one, @hollydolly . And your phone for sure would have one.

Okay, I looked on my MacBook, and it definitely does NOT have the microphone option. I think that this might only be for a phone or tablet that uses a virtual keyboard. You should have this when you get your new Fire Tablet, Holly.

 

[hollydolly]

Maybe there is one on the new Fire Max 11 when you get your new one, @hollydolly . And your phone for sure would have one.

oh yes I know my phone has one, but unfortunately I don't use my phone to access this forum

 

[Murrmurr]

I can use it, but I would drive my husband crazy. Also, I have a speech impediment and can’t see you no.

This was just done on my iPad. Those highlighted words were “say an r”. I make enough mistakes as it is.

I use it on my phone because the my thumb and fingers are apparently too big for the keyboard, but I have a slight speech impediment, too, mainly because of my teeth. Like, no matter how clear I try to say the word "he" it always comes up as "she", the word "doesn't" always comes out as "does it", etc. Plus, a lot of the names in my family have an uncommon spelling or the phone hears it as a common word. Liam (my son) always comes up as "lean" or "lean him".

So I always have to proofread my texts before I hit send, and correct everything with my big-ass fingers.

 

[Murrmurr]

My computer (PC) doesn't have a microphone.

Doesn't have a camera, either. It's a really good PC, but I paid about half the price of the comps that had those features but were exactly the same otherwise.