How Does Voice Recognition Software Work?
Voice recognition or speech recognition software allows your device to understand and process language. This software inspects and understands your input by processing it through several steps. The process begins by recording and preprocessing your audio recording to remove unnecessary background noise. After this, the software uses ‘feature extraction’ to understand the audio’s rhythm, pitch, and tone. The software then uses acoustic and language modeling to interpret your command or question. Lastly, the software outputs the preferred action based on the input given to the user.
Voice recognition technology can be used in multiple ways, including as a virtual assistant, customer service, transcription service, and accessibility program. This wide selection of possibilities makes speech recognition a powerful tool.
How to properly use voice recognition on your mobile device.
The first step to set up voice recognition is to ensure that it is activated on your device. You can do this by going to any app on your phone where you can type and hit the microphone button on your keyboard. An alternative to this can be starting the speech recognition by saying ‘Hey Google’ or ‘ok Google’ on your Android device. Alternatively, you can activate speech recognition on your iOS device by pressing and holding the side button on your device and saying, ‘Hey, Siri.’ If your speech recognition is not activating, check your settings and make sure ‘Siri & Search’ is enabled.
Once enabled, make sure you speak clearly and at a reasonable speed. Don’t forget to add punctuation when you talk to input a more accurate statement.
If you’re having issues with accuracy, try using a headset or microphone when dictating. If you still have problems, try articulating your words more slowly and clearly. You can also try practicing commands beforehand to learn the device’s voice commands. You can download languages for offline use in Google Settings.
Training voice recognition
To improve your speech recognition voice accuracy, you can train it to learn your voice.
On an Android device, you can open up Google Home and go into assistant settings. From there, you can find ‘Hey Google and voice match.’ Then tap ‘teach your assistant your voice again’ and follow the prompts.
For iOS devices, go to settings and find ‘Siri & search,’ then turn on ‘Listen for hey Siri.’ From there, follow the instructions to train Siri to recognize your voice.
Google Assistant and Gboard
Google Assistant and Gboard are among the best options for speech recognition on Android mobile phones.
To activate the Gboard keyboard option, follow these steps:
- Install Gboard:
- Download Gboard from the Google Play Store.
- Enable Voice Typing:
- Open ‘Settings’ on your device.
- Go to System > Languages & input > Virtual keyboard > Gboard.
- Click on ‘Voice typing’ and make sure it is allowed.
- Using Voice Typing:
- Open any app that allows you to type.
- Click on the text area to see the keyboard.
- Press the microphone on the keyboard and start speaking.
Voice command capabilities.
In addition to speech-to-text commands, you can ask for more advanced commands to control your devices. Examples of actions you can ask your voice control to perform include:
- Navigation (GPS)
- Provide weather updates
- Open apps
- Search prompts
- Set reminders and alarms
- Send messages
- Make calls
- Adding an event to your calendar
- Add items to a shopping list.
- Control smart home devices
- Control media (audio and video)
Voice Recognition Data Concerns
Speech recognition is a great tool that can improve productivity, but it can also raise privacy concerns.
Data collection and storage
Privacy laws are put in place to ensure companies who utilize choice recognition protect their user’s recordings by storing them in a. secure location. Despite this, many companies store records of their users’ recordings to improve their technology. If these records are stored poorly, there could be a concern for user safety.
Secondary data use
Some companies might use voice recordings to create profiles that aid targeted advertisements. There is also a risk of some companies selling user information and recordings to third-party companies.
Unauthorized access and eavesdropping
Voice assistants constantly listen to your voice to recognize activation words, which can raise the possibility of unauthorized users eavesdropping. Data breaches can also lead to recordings getting compromised.
Stratigies to mitigte risk
Luckily, there are multiple steps you can take to reduce the risk of your personal information being misused.
- Review privacy settings
- Reviewing these policies can help you understand how companies store your information. There are also usually settings that allow you to reduce data collection.
- Be careful giving out sensitive information.
- Try your best to keep important information private when using voice commands or recognition.
- Use strong passwords
- Using strong passwords can help lower the chances of someone breaking into your account.
- Delete recordings
- Many services allow you to delete your recordings. Doing this occasionally can help reduce how much information is taken if a breach happens.
Overall, voice recognition is a very powerful tool that can help you simplify daily tasks and improve your user experience.
What is voice recognition – Arm®
What is Voice Recognition? – Definition from Techopedia
What Is Voice Recognition? Types, Features, and Systems (g2.com)
Speech Recognition: Everything You Need to Know in 2024 (aimultiple.com)
Get started with Voice Access spoken commands – Android Accessibility Help (google.com)
