Speech to text, or voice to text, technology uses the power of speech recognition to enable you to navigate the web using simple voice commands. Several platforms have already adopted this technology popular among them is Google Search.
With a single click on the mic icon in Google Search box you will be able to voice type your query as Google types it out for you. The same with Google Docs, you can use its built-in voice recognition service to voice type an entire article.
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| Image source: LipSurf Chrome Extension |
There are also a wide variety of speech to text extensions to use on your Chrome for voice dictation. Below are some of the best titles to try out. Using these extensions, you and your students will be able to use voice commands to browse the web the way you want.
You can watch videos, click on hyperlinks, switch between opened tabs and web pages, fill in forms, write emails and blog posts, and more.
Also, these speech to text extensions provide you with the possibility to create custom voice commands so that you can easily voice type your frequently used phrases and expressions. And yes, the extensions support different languages and dialects and some of them even work offline.
1. Speech to Text
As its name indicates, Speech to Text enables you to convert your voice to text. The way it works is simple: First install the extension from Chrome Web Store, click on the microphone icon, grant access to your microphone, start voice typing.
You can copy your captured text and use it anywhere online. Speech to Text recognizes various languages and dialects and, best of all, it works offline. No need for Internet connection to use it.
2. Speech Recognition Anywhere 365
Speech Recognition Anywhere is a speech to text Chrome extension that enables you to voice type anything you want using simple voice commands.
The extension works on several websites and platforms including Google Docs, Microsoft Word online, Gmail, Outlook, and more. Users can create custom commands as shortcuts to type whatever they want.
Some other things you can do with Speech Recognition extension include text to speech, select the language or dialect of your choice, use voice commands to toggle between next and previous web pages or to switch tabs, scroll page up and down, highlight text, copy and paste, scripting, and many more.
3. LipSurf
LipSurf is another speech to text Chrome extension that allows you to browse the web using your own voice. You can open web pages, watch videos, click on links, etc., using voice commands.
Like other extensions, LipSur supports multiple languages with the ability to add more languages via the extension forum. The app offers over 100 built-in commands to choose from. It is also integrated with several applications including: Gmail, YouTube, Duolingo, Reddit, and more.
Using LipSurf you can write emails and dictate forms (premium), control videos (e.g., play, pause, mute), voice activation via push-to-talk key, navigate tabs, zoom in and out, add custom corrections to your transcripts, and many more.
4. Voice in Voice Typing
Voice in Voice Typing enables you to easily voice type in your browser. The extension supports over 40 different languages including English, Italian, Dutch, Portuguese, French, among others. Voice in Voice also supports various integrations including Gmail, Outlook, Slack, and many more.
The basic free plan allows you to dictate but comes with very limited features. Premium plans offer more functionalities including custom voice commands and the ability to unlock dictation on more than 1000 sites using advanced mode.
5. DictationBox
DictationBox is a voice to text Chrome extension which supports over 100 languages and dialects. The way it works is similar to the previous ones: install the extension, grant access to your microphone, click on the icon to start speaking.
DictationBox instantly converts your voice to text. You can adjust the settings of the extension to your preferences (e.g., you can add your own auto-text commands).
Handy voice commands include ‘go to sleep’ or ‘wake up’ to ‘switch microphone between standby and listening modes, and ‘Next field’ to navigate to next field’.
