The Future of Writing is Here: A Simple, Free Speech-to-Text App
In a world where computers are increasingly capable of turning human voices into text, it's surprising that we're still stuck typing away with our fingers. However, two AI models, Nvidia's Parakeet and OpenAI's Whisper, have made great strides in this area, accurately adding punctuation and capitalization to the transcription.
But for most people, using these models requires a bit of effort - downloading the software, choosing a model, and customizing settings like keyboard shortcuts and microphones. That's where Handy comes in: a dead-simple, totally free application that can set up either model on your computer and give you a keyboard shortcut to use it.
To get started, simply download Handy for Windows, macOS, or Linux, run the app, and choose a model. The default Parakeet V3 is a great place to start - it took me just a bit to download the necessary software, and then I was able to use the app with ease.
One of the most impressive things about Handy is how well it filters out background noise, including music. This means that you can talk while recording without worrying about your audio being interrupted. And, because Handy is completely free, there's no need to worry about upgrading or paying for a subscription.
For those who are curious about talking instead of typing, I highly recommend giving Handy a try. While I'll probably stick with my keyboard to write articles (I type faster than I think!), it's reassuring to know that this tool exists in case something goes wrong.
In a world where computers are increasingly capable of turning human voices into text, it's surprising that we're still stuck typing away with our fingers. However, two AI models, Nvidia's Parakeet and OpenAI's Whisper, have made great strides in this area, accurately adding punctuation and capitalization to the transcription.
But for most people, using these models requires a bit of effort - downloading the software, choosing a model, and customizing settings like keyboard shortcuts and microphones. That's where Handy comes in: a dead-simple, totally free application that can set up either model on your computer and give you a keyboard shortcut to use it.
To get started, simply download Handy for Windows, macOS, or Linux, run the app, and choose a model. The default Parakeet V3 is a great place to start - it took me just a bit to download the necessary software, and then I was able to use the app with ease.
One of the most impressive things about Handy is how well it filters out background noise, including music. This means that you can talk while recording without worrying about your audio being interrupted. And, because Handy is completely free, there's no need to worry about upgrading or paying for a subscription.
For those who are curious about talking instead of typing, I highly recommend giving Handy a try. While I'll probably stick with my keyboard to write articles (I type faster than I think!), it's reassuring to know that this tool exists in case something goes wrong.