Dominate the multitasking game: Use an iPad? Drag an app out of the dock and place it alongside another open app. They’ll run side by side in Split View. Slide down to convert it to Slide Over mode.
5 easy ways to convert audio files to text
What comes to mind when you think of the word transcription? Does it evoke images of leaning over your computer, headphones on, while trying to stop and start an audio recording as you type?
It’s one thing to turn written notes into typed text. Tap or click here to find out how. But transcribing audio files on your own can be a huge pain, especially if you aren’t trained in transcription.
You can always go the old-school route of transcribing it yourself, which could take hours. Or you can use a transcription service to convert audio files to text. There are plenty of free or low-cost options, most of which work in minutes. Here are five of the best to help you out.
Best ways to convert audio files to text
1. Otter.ai
Transcription software can be expensive depending on its features, but if you’re looking for a free or affordable way to get the job done, check out Otter.io. It’s a real-time, cloud-based speech-to-text program that transcribes your audio files for you on smartphones and computers — and it’s one of the most affordable options.
You can use Otter to transcribe interviews, lectures or meeting recordings, or for live captioning and to collaborate between teams. If your recording has multiple speakers, each person is assigned a different ID to make it easier to understand the transcriptions. You can also use the app to organize and share your audio or text files.
What’s nice about Otter is that you can try it for free before buying the basic plan. You’ll get 300 minutes of free service when you sign up for an account, and once you’re out of minutes, you can choose from the Premium and Teams plans.
The cost starts at about $8.50 per month for the Pro plan (when paid annually) and gives you a ton of extra features and up to 1,200 minutes of transcription.
2. Transcribe in Word
Are you a Microsoft Word user who’s looking for a transcription service? You’re in luck because Word has a feature called Transcribe that you can use to transcribe your .mp3, .wav, .m4a or .mp4 audio recordings.
Free PDF editing software can hide malware - Try this trustworthy option
Plenty of free browser-based solutions exist, but these convenient tools don’t always live up to the industry’s best. Of course, we’re talking about Adobe Acrobat Pro, Photoshop and others that come at a steep premium.
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Sick of overpaying on Adobe? This free program works just as well
Adobe Illustrator is one of the best photo editing and graphic design programs money can buy. Depending on your plan, you may have to spend $20.99/mo on Illustrator. Luckily, we found the best free alternative to Adobe Illustrator in Inkscape.
Tech tip: Convert your old VHS tapes into digital format
The way we view and capture footage has changed over time. While many people still prefer to shoot on film, digital is easier to share, and the storage potential is massive.
Your smartphone has turned video capture into an almost careless practice. You can shoot just about as much as you want and quickly delete what you don’t need. But how do you share videos with others? Tap or click here for tips on putting together a movie from various clips for friends and family.
Free tools to edit PDFs from your browser
There’s no denying how useful PDFs are for sharing information. Unlike Word documents or most other document types, PDFs display the same across programs and devices. That means the file you open in, say, Microsoft Word on a Mac looks the same as opening it on your Android phone.
Tech how-to: Convert old CDs, tapes and vinyl to digital
Do you remember the last time you listened to music on a CD? If not, you’re not alone. As we’ve transitioned into the digital age, many of our media staples like discs, tapes and records have gone the way of the dinosaurs in favor of streamed digital files from subscription services.