Speakables is a software application that works with and is based on Apple's voice recognition technology, Speakable Items. You MUST have Speakable Items turned-on and be using it successfully FIRST before using Speakables.

***Also note that our products are only supported for Mac OS X 10.2 through 10.4

Speech Recognition Issues: please click here to ensure that Speakable Items is configured correctly, your microphone is connected correctly, etc... For additional help/info on Speakables Items, click here.

Optimal Microphone Configuration: When the audio output is set to the headset the following conditions exist:
1. Output quality is decreased and an echo (reminiscent of older dial-up VOIP) is usually heard.
2. System sounds and media output is delivered via the headset instead of the speakers (iTunes etc... is usually best enjoyed via speaker output rather than the headset.)

The optimal voice recognition settings are most often achieved by setting BOTH the Input volume for the headset and Speech Recognition at the midway point. You can accomplish this by going to "System Preferences", choosing "Sound", then choosing "Input", selecting the headset and setting the "Input volume" at the midpoint.

Then go to "System Preferences" and choose "Speech", then choose "Speech Recognition", "Listening", then make sure the headset is selected under "Microphone". Now select "Volume" and follow the instructions found there or just set it at the midpoint.

IMPORTANT: Bluetooth headsets do NOT work with Apple's speech recognition system. You can use any of a variety of wired microphones/headsets or the Plantronics CS50-USB.
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Speakables for TV:

- "The TV channels aren't changing?"
UI scripting may not be enabled on your computer. To enable UI scripting in 10.4 use the AppleScript Utility in the Applications/AppleScript/ directory. In OS 10.3, go to the Universal Access preference panel in System Preferences and check the "enable access for assistive devices" check box.
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Microphone Configuration & Speech Recognition: it is strongly recommended that you conigure your mic and perform the voice training under the Speech Tab BEFORE use.

Speakables isn't responding to my voice command? Be sure you've:
- Configured your mic and performed voice training under the Speech Tab.
- You are holding down the Scroll Lock key the entire time you are giving your command. (If you have changed Options to hands-free control, your environment may be too noisy, or you may be too far away from the mic and may want to use a wireless headset.)

The default commands aren't working? (eg. GO TO SKYPE, Outlook, etc.)
Your computer's configuration may be different than the standard target locations Speakables is using to find the location of these specific programs on your computer (eg: C: drive.)

To change the target location, first find the correct target by clicking the Start menu and right-click the program (eg. Skype) and "Copy" the contents in Target. Then in Speakables, click on the command, and "Paste" into Action field. Click "Update" to save. (Click Here for more info.)

• Make sure that your microphone is a good distance away from your speakers.
  
  
• Configure your microphone for optimal voice recognition. PC users: click on the Speech tab on the application and follow-up instructions. Mac users: follow the instructions on the Speakable Items page.
  
  
• Speak clearly and vocalize the command as phonetically as possible. The computer gets better at recognizing your commands the more you use them.
  
  
• Be sure you are using the correct Push-to-Talk key (if in push-to-talk mode) and holding it down the entire time you are giving the command: for Mac (Esc) and PC (Scroll Lock).
  
  
• Delete any voice commands that you don't use (the less commands the computer has to check against, the better the recognition.) For Mac users: we recommend moving these commands (in case you want to use them at a later time) into an "Unspeakable Items" folder you would create.
  
  
• Create voice commands that are easy to say (and understood by the computer) containing at least 3 syllables. (Be careful to rename playlists if their titles are not phonetic or are difficult to say, long, etc.)