SpeakOn’s dictation device is a good idea marred by platform limitations
Source: TechCrunch
I constantly use dictation apps such as Wispr Flow, Willow, or Typeless to reply to messages and emails on both my Mac and my phone. But to do so, I have to use my phone’s mic or AirPods to dictate, and they often miss what I’m saying.
When Notta‑owned SpeakOn pitched me a dedicated dictation device, I was intrigued. The experience was mixed because of the device’s form factor and platform limitations, but I still see potential for dedicated dictation hardware in the future.
Device Overview
SpeakOn is a small, pebble‑like accessory that attaches to the back of an iPhone via MagSafe—similar to Plaud’s AI meeting notetaker. At just 25 g, it feels weightless, even when carried in a pocket.
Image credit: Ivan Mehta
The device works with a companion iOS app that appears as a keyboard, like other dictation apps. You can also launch the app without the hardware if needed.
Hardware & Design
- Activation: Press the button on the device to start dictating; release when finished.
- Microphone: A single mic claims to capture audio within a 2‑foot radius.
- Form factor: MagSafe attachment keeps it out of the way while still being easily reachable.
Software & Dictation Experience
- Keyboard integration: Dictation works in any app as long as the software keyboard is active.
- AI editing: The app automatically removes filler words and can format output as a list.
- Tone attunement: By default, the AI adjusts tone based on the host app, but you can override it. I found some edits overly formal (e.g., “Does this app work automatically?” → “Does this application operate automatically?”) and disabled the “attune” feature for cleaner results.
- Translation: A translate button can convert speech into supported languages, including English, Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, and Arabic.
Audio Quality & Limitations
Despite having a dedicated mic, the device struggles to pick up audio reliably unless the phone is within roughly two feet. Background noise further degrades performance, so better microphones are needed in future revisions.
System‑level constraints also limit workflow fluidity: double‑tapping the record button does not bring the SpeakOn keyboard to the foreground, and starting dictation without switching keyboards isn’t possible on iOS. Compatibility with macOS is absent, which would have made the device far more useful.
Battery Life & Charging
- Usage: SpeakOn claims up to 10 hours of continuous dictation and a 20‑day standby period. In practice, standby lasted only a few days.
- Power‑off: By default the device never powers down automatically; adding an inactivity timeout would help conserve battery.
- Charging: A full charge (0 % → 100 %) takes about an hour. A short plug‑in of a few minutes provides enough juice for several minutes of dictation.
Image credit: Ivan Mehta
Pricing & Plans
- Hardware: $129 upfront.
- Subscription: Includes 5,000 words per week. An unlimited‑words tier costs $12 / month.
- Comparison: Competitors like Wispr Flow offer 2,000 free words per week on their free tier.
Conclusion
SpeakOn is an early mover in the dedicated dictation‑device space, offering a lightweight, MagSafe‑attached microphone and AI‑enhanced transcription. However, it needs:
- Improved microphone hardware for reliable capture.
- Better integration with iOS (e.g., keyboard‑switch shortcuts) and macOS support.
- Battery‑saving defaults and clearer power‑management options.
Addressing these issues would make the device a compelling addition to any dictation workflow.
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