The dictionary is from Merriam-Webster, likely the most recognized English language reference on the planet, so you know the reference will be good, and the app doesn’t disappoint. Queried words produce a list of meanings along with a list of synonyms and antonyms, as well as usage examples and audio pronunciation.
What it doesn’t give you, however, is a list of homonyms for audio initiated searches. For instance, if I ask for the meaning of , “where” it should let me decide if I mean ‘where,’ ‘wear,’ or ‘ware.’
What would be really cool is if you could give it examples. I could, for instance, say, “Define ‘where’ as in ‘“Where, the heck, am I?”
That may be asking a bit much of a free app, even one that’s ad supported, but there’s no harm in wishful thinking. What I don’t have to wish for in this app is a kick-ass cross reference. If a word appears on the screen, in the definition, in the example, even in the word description (whether it’s a verb, noun, or so on), just touch it and you are given the meaning. Not just key words, any word. That’s pretty cool.
I think you’ll find the Merriam-Webster Dictionary to be one of your most used free apps, whether you talk to it or not.
Another dictionary that uses voice search is from Dictionary.com. Dictionary & Thesaurus – Free has been on my iPhone for a very long time, though I’ve seldom used the voice-search feature. Maybe I’m a bit self-conscious of others knowing which words I have to look up. I shouldn’t be, I know. English provides so many different options for expressing yourselves, and I want to make sure that what I say is accurate.
Dictionary & Thesaurus will likely have the word I’m groping for, it offers close to a million words with definitions, all without internet access. It also offers a healthy dollop of synonyms in the thesaurus. There’s alternate spelling suggestions, examples, and (my favorite) non-standard word usage. And it’s intricately cross-referenced as well. Good stuff.
Like the Merriam-Webster Dictinary, Dictionary & Thesaurus is ad supported, but the ads are easy to ignore.
I actually keep 3 dictionaries on my iPhone and have had occasion when one or two could not provide the meaning I was looking for. Dictionary & Thesaurus is one that I will keep, and one you should load as well.
Any discussion of voice apps on the iPhone must include apps that translate spoken words in one language to spoken words in another language. If we are talking about the iPhone, and we are, then we must include Google Translate.
Google Translate in action
If there’s any app that comes close to providing on-the-fly voice translate Google Translate is it. You say what you want the other person to understand, and within seconds the app is saying what you’ve said, but in a language of your choice. Now, anyone can parle français, sprechen ze Deutsch, or hangug mallo (speak Korean).
Once again, the accuracy of translating what your said into another language is very scary. I had a Korean friend of mine validate the translation, and she was impressed with the accuracy.
The only thing I wish is that it would take my spoken works and immediately speak the translation. As it is, I have to tap the “speak” button to get the app to say what it translated.
It’s a minor quibble over a free app that does amazing things. If you travel or just want to be polite to visiting foreigners, you can’t go wrong with Google Translate.
Ok, that’s a wrap for this week. More voice activated freebies below with direct links.
