SpeakOn: A MagSafe Dictation Gadget With Promise and Pitfalls
Product Overview
SpeakOn is a small, pebble-like dictation device that attaches to the back of an iPhone via MagSafe. Weighing just 25 grams, it features a single microphone and claims to capture audio within 2 feet. Priced at $129, it comes with a plan for 5,000 words per week, with an unlimited plan available for $12 per month.
Key Features: The device uses its own microphone, not the iPhone’s mic.
Dictation works in any app where the software keyboard is active. Speech is automatically filtered to remove filler words and can format text as lists. Translation is available into 12 languages: English, Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, and Arabic.
Battery life is rated at 10 hours of continuous use, with a claimed 20-day standby time. Charging from 0 to 100% takes one hour.
Performance Issues
- Audio pickup is unreliable beyond 2 feet, and even within range, ambient noise can cause underperformance.
- The companion app (iOS only) sometimes makes unwanted edits to transcribed text. For example, "Does this app work automatically?" became "Does this application operate automatically?" and "Sure, no worries" became "There is no need to be concerned."
- Standby time was observed to be only a few days, not the advertised 20 days.
- The device lacks Mac compatibility and does not support double-tap to bring up the keyboard.
Market Context
SpeakOn is an early entrant in dedicated dictation devices. Competing software-based dictation apps, like Wispr Flow, offer free plans with 2,000 words per week.
SpeakOn stated that the device could be used for 10 hours at a stretch and has a 20-day standby time.