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| Pocket Dictate | |
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Are you tired of taking your dictation recorder and tapes with you? Instead of stuffing your tape recorder and tapes into your briefcase, you can use your Pocket PC as your dictation recorder. Pocket Dictate is a great way to continue your dictation without needing to carry additional recording devices — and it’s free. With Pocket Dictate, you can perform the same dictation tasks with your Pocket PC and transmit your dictation without having to touch a tape. You can dictate directly on your Pocket PC using the buttons on your device. When you have completed your dictation, you simply tap “Send” and your dictation will be compressed, encrypted and sent by e-mail. The download and installation of Pocket Dictate is very easy to do. I downloaded the free software from the Web site and installed the software through ActiveSync. In seconds, the software was installed and I was almost ready to start dictating some letters. The reason I say “almost” is it might take some time to learn to use Pocket Dictate. It took me a few tries to become familiar with which physical buttons to use when operating the software and insert new recordings into my dictation. For ease of use, the operation is designed to closely resemble that of old style dictation recorders. Although I do not generally dictate, Pocket Dictate comes with a tutorial to assist in operating the Pocket PC with Pocket Dictate. The tutorial was helpful in getting me started with Pocket Dictate. Once I learned the buttons, I was able to begin dictating. Editing, inserting and overwriting features are available with Pocket Dictate as with any dictating device. A dictation is one single continuous recording just like with the old dictation tapes. You can select between “Record Overwrite,” “Record Insert” and “Record End” modes. There also is an optional voice-activated recording that lets you record only when you are speaking. However, I was never able to get this feature to work. You also can select the file format, compression code and encryption settings you prefer. When you have completed your dictation, Pocket Dictate automatically will compress the audio files to reduce the time it takes to send and store what you recorded. You will be able to compress your recordings in WAV compressed format or dictation (DCT) compressed format. Your recordings can be encrypted prior to transmission, but only if you select the DCT file format option. If you are concerned with the security of your information, this option is particularly helpful to ensure confidentiality. To send your dictation files to your secretary, you simply tap the send icon, type in your secretary’s e-mail address, enter the priority setting of “Normal,” “Low” or “High,” along with your file reference and then send it. You also can set the dictator information, which stores information about you for your dictation management software. Once the file is received via e-mail, it can be opened using Express Scribe (available for free from the NCH Swift Sound Web site). Express Scribe features foot pedal control, variable speed playback, speech recognition assistance and more. You must have a Pocket PC or Palm for this software. Unfortunately, Pocket Dictate doesn’t work on Palm or CE 2.0 devices. Your Pocket PC must have an Advanced Reduced Instruction Set Computer, SuperH — 32-bit with up to 200MHz or Microprocessor without Interlocked Pipeline Stages central processing unit, built-in microphone and speaker. To send dictations you must setup Pocket Outlook for it to work properly. If your Pocket PC has a wireless connection you will be able to send your files immediately. Otherwise, you will need to use your ActiveSync software. Why is Pocket Dictate free? What is the catch? This was the big question in my mind as I was reviewing Pocket Dictate. According to a representative from NCH Swift Sound, Pocket Dictate is currently free to acquire feedback on what improvements could be made to the software and to get an idea of how popular it will be. It probably will build a paid version of the software in the future for larger corporations, with additional features. At present, however, the company is still evaluating customer feedback. |
NCH Swift Sound Price: Free Pocket PC with an ARM, SH3 or MIPS CPU, built-in microphone and speaker. Pocket Outlook to send dictation and ActiveSync software. Reviewed by Milton Hooper, a litigation support specialist in Macon, Ga. PROS CONS VERDICT |
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