voice

Freeware Friday: Non-Retina edition

This was a big week for Apple and fans of the MacBook and OS X lineup. But if you have Windows, you might realize that many of the upcoming features for Mountain Lion have already been readily available in some way or form. For this week's Freeware Friday, check out the following apps to access voice control, sync chats with your phone, set reminders, and more.

Dictation alternative: Speech-powered computing might seem like a radical new implementation for many Mac users with the upcoming Mountain Lion, but both Windows and Mac users have had access to voice-control options well … Read more

Siri to get international location services in iOS 6

Siri users in the U.S. have had access to location-based services since the application launched last year. Elsewhere around the world, however, that hasn't been the case. But iOS 6 will change that.

Reddit posters using iOS 6 living abroad reported today that when they tried to use Siri for location-based service, like finding a restaurant nearby or locating a gas station, it worked. Killian Bell over at Cult of Mac confirmed those claims, saying that he tried it out with iOS 6 in the U.K. However, Bell reported that it wasn't as accurate as he … Read more

The 404 1,072: Where we're broadcasting in Retina (podcast)

Apple hopefuls didn't get the Apple TV or desktop updates they were expecting, but yesterday's Worldwide Developers Conference certainly made things more exciting for iOS users and imaging professionals.

Apple announced a new Retina Display MacBook Pro with serious specs that won't mean a thing for the average consumer who doesn't need a quad-core processor, a solid-state drive, and discrete graphics to browse Reddit and send a few e-mails. Regardless, graphics editors will appreciate the updates even if Apple did inflate its statistics.

There are also a lot of updates to iOS 6 coming out this fall, and today we'll round up a few of our favorites.… Read more

Siri for iOS 6 versus Samsung Galaxy S III's S-Voice

You'll find a much more in-depth hands-on comparison of Siri versus S Voice here.

The Samsung Galaxy S III isn't quite out yet in the U.S., but already, its Siri-like voice assistant -- known as S-Voice -- has just been thrown into the deep, dark shadow of Apple's forthcoming Siri update.

In iOS 6, the next-generation of Siri will add a whole new bag of tricks, including the capability to launch apps, perform voice-activated Facebook and Twitter updates, and pull in sports scores and movie times. It will also make reservations through OpenTable and play you … Read more

Get a NetTalk Duo VoIP adapter for $29.99

I haven't had a landline phone for years. See, I'm already paying for broadband Internet service, which has more than enough bandwidth to carry my voice. All I need is a voice-over-IP adapter to bridge the gap between my cordless phone system and my router.

There are countless options here; you've probably heard of the more famous ones like MagicJack and Vonage. But there's another product that's just as good, if not better -- and it's on sale.

Today only, and while supplies last, 1SaleADay has the refurbished NetTalk Duo VoIP adapter for $29.99, … Read more

Transfer memorable voice mails to your computer with a simple audio trick

It seems like those of us who grew up digital turn to text messaging and Facebook to announce exciting news, and most often, say happy birthday. But once in a while you get a voice mail from a friend or family member who cared enough to pick up the phone and wish you happy birthday.

Birthdays, engagements, promotions, dialing under the influence -- all of these occasions make for memorable and replay-worthy voice messages.

Carriers complicate the solution If you want to keep these original messages, though, it's not easy. iPhone voice mails can be backed up to your … Read more

'Phone, unlock thyself'

Sooner than you think, the Holy Grail of mobile password security could land on your phone thanks to new tech from Nuance called Dragon ID.

Dragon ID is a voice biometrics system from the same company behind the voice-recognition tech in Dragon Dictate for PCs and Dragon Go for iOS and Android. It promises a hands-free login system, but Nuance isn't putting it out in an app.

Instead, it's licensing the technology to manufacturers so they can build it into their phones.

"We're going to be pretty aggressive with our longstanding OEM partners, so we certainly … Read more

Government control of Net is always a bad idea

An important law that would protect California consumers from state-level regulation of VoIP and other IP-based services passed the California State Senate late last week on a bipartisan 30-6 vote.

The bill, SB 1161, now moves to the State Assembly, which has scheduled hearings for June 11.

SB 1161 is short and sweet. It prohibits the state's Public Utility Commission "from regulating Voice over Internet Protocol and Internet Protocol enabled service...except as required or delegated by federal law" or otherwise authorized by statute, until at least 2020.

Its goal is even more straight-forward. As the bill'… Read more

iPhone makes the 'Leap' into the prepaid zone

We're dropping down from space, getting touchy with Windows 8 and leaping over a new iPhone carrier:

The iPhone has taken a leap into the prepaid, no-contract world. Beginning in late June, the prepaid carrier Leap Wireless will sell Apple's iPhone under the Cricket service. This makes it the first carrier to sell the iPhone without a contract. But don't expect the iPhone to come cheap. The 16 GB iPhone 4s will be priced at $500 dollars.

So that leaves T-Mobile in the corner, just tapping its foot waiting for its turn to dance with Apple. With … Read more