Have you ever needed to transcribe a spoken conversation into text? You either have to take impossibly fast notes in real-time or make a recording for transcription later. The creators of the Titan Note device, currently on Indiegogo, want to make this process easier through voice recognition and AI.
The campaign makes some lofty-but-alluring claims about the Titan Note's capabilities. The wireless tabletop device – which is cylindrical in shape and measures about 2 inches wide and 1.25 inches tall (about 5 x 3 cm) – is said to be able to accurately record and transcribe entire lectures or interviews, all while differentiating between speakers.
Once the recording is made, the company says the transcription will be available through its companion app within a few minutes. From there, you can also view an automatically generated summary of the information, as well as translate or share the notes.
Anyone with the frequent note-taking needs can see these time-saving benefits, but we're also skeptical of these assertions. After all, many of us have had our share of frustrations with voice-controlled tech and virtual assistants, and similar devices like the Senstone have failed to impress. If Siri can't always follow through with simple instructions, can a device that fits in the palm of your hand make accurate, coherent summaries of a two-person interview?
If so, we'll be very impressed. In the meantime, we're not sure if voice recognition and AI are advanced enough – especially at this price point – to make these bold claims believable. Still, it's a rather affordable investment. At present, the Titan Note is available for US$80 to Indiegogo backers, with a future expected retail price of $150.
According to the campaign page, the first Titan Note devices are expected to ship in September. At the time of writing, the campaign has amply exceeded its $35,000 goal with 22 days remaining in the crowdfunding period.
Product page: Indiegogo
