iPhone audio journal to text idea

I've done some trail journaling using the iPhone, but I just use the dictation feature in the phone itself to dictate straight into the Pages app. My guess is that it's prabably as accurate as the Mac (I don't have a Mac), and you do have to do some editing, but still seems to work pretty well.

You can transfer the Pages files into your computer when you get home for easy editing, although it's usually accurate enough that a few edits within the phone is often enough, depending on how long your dictation is.

Does that require you to have cell coverage? I was looking for something that works without cell reception in the mountains.

Deleted my wrong info.

iPhone speech-to-text works like this:

– Phone picks up your voice with multiple microphones
– Sends audio to Apple’s servers
– Servers translate voice to text
– Text sent back to phone

You need cell coverage or other Internet connection for this to work. Simple test: put iPhone into Airplane mode, microphone icon grayed out in text apps.

And something about the way Apple processes the sound means you can’t record audio and have Apple translate the recording.

Google’s speech-to-text works the same. Phones don’t have enough cpu power and/or storage to transcribe speech, yet.

I’ve used rev.com to transcribe dozens of audio recordings at $1 per minute after hikes and interviews.

— Rex

It does require cell service, Your idea sounds interesting, I'll have to try it. I do have a transcribe program on my computer, although it's not a Mac.

Rex–You're right about doing dictation as you speak. But my method also works (I tried it) and doesn't require any cell/wifi at the time you are recording (e.g. on the trail).

Try it, you'll like it!

Also, good tip on rev.com if I decide I need a transcription service.