In this podcast, Thomas Domville introduces us to Voice Dream Scanner, a recently released OCR app for iOS from the developer of the popular Voice Dream Reader app.
From the App Store:
Scan paper documents with the camera and recognize text. Listen using built-in text-to-speech. Save and export. Unlimited use: no subscriptions or additional charges.
State-of-the-art A.I. for OCR and text recognition: Fast and accurate, even in poor lighting conditions. Works entirely on device: No need for internet and your data stays private.
Export scans as plain text or PDF with embedded text to another app, or save them on your local device, iCloud, Dropbox, or Google Drive.
Works with Voice Dream Reader, our full-featured text-to-speech reader. After downloading this app, you will be able access the scanner directly from Reader and add scanned documents to your Reader library.
Comments
o man am I tempted
Hey!! I have to admit I am very tempted. I especially like the photo import option. Although I have other apps that can do that, that I haven't paid for, that's my primary use for Ocr. apps. I import my photos from my gallery after saving them from Facebook or email attachments. My cheap skate part of me is holding me back.
That and a little question. Do you have to have the voice dream reader for this app to work? If so, is there a way to buy them in a bundle? And would that be cheaper? Thank you!
Tone?
Tried but did not hear any tone while focusing the camera on the book. Otherwise the results are fairly accurate. If I could adjust based on the tone that would have been better. Have not touched any default setting--the setting for the tone is on. I'm on Iphone SE, should that make any difference? I thought the back camera of the phone is very much upto the mark.
Very impressed
a most amazing app. Very user friendly and its accuracy is far better than any apps which I have tried. I rate this app above seeing ai, envision and KNFB Reader.
Voice Dream Scanner
Wow, this sounds really interesting! Going to have to break down and give this a try.
Tempting Indeed
Hi Dawn,
No, you don't have to purchase or own the Voice Dream Reader to use the Voice Dream Scanner. Voice Dream Reader it’s great for storing documents, papers, books, etc. Kind of a library on your phone that store all your scan results, books from Bookshare, etc. etc.. Believe me I understand your dilemma about wanting to purchase yet another scanner when we have a handful of them already! My only advice to others is that if you don't scan very often and that you are satisfied in what you use now. There is no need to purchase yet another scanner then. However, if you find yourself scanning on a regular basis and don't get all that great of a scan of what and how you scan now then hands down, I highly recommend the Voice Dream Scanner. I know at one time that Voice Dream did offer a bull package and yes it was cheaper but that would be only if you need or want Voice Dream Reader. Voice Dream Reader is just a bonus feature with having the Scanner because you can then store those scanned documents in the Reader. Of storage and can retrieve any time later.
HTH
RE: Tone
Hi tripolice,
How odd is that? Honestly, I am not sure why you are not getting the tone. Especially, that you have checked the Settings on that, and it is set to ON. A question or a bug to report to the Voice Dream team. This app is relatively new and does have some bugs, but I am certain in time and future update that this will only get better. So, try reaching out to them and see why you aren’t getting the tone as we would expect.
HTH
Considering Purchasing the app
Hi. Thanks for the great podcast! I am considering purchasing this app. Wondering something... Does this app work with handwriting? Ex. you sign a document and then scan it through the app. Will the app recognize a person's signature?
Thanks
Ann Marie
Handwriting Support
Hi Ann,
The Voice Dream Scanner will only support printed text. No support for cursive or handwriting. The only app that I know that will support OCR on cursive or handwriting would be the Microsoft Seeing AI.
HTH
Hello Thomas.
Hello Thomas.
I listened to your podcast the otherday and yesterday I downloaded the app from the UK store. It is so intuitive to use and i love the idea of the long beep telling you that it can see all corners of the page. Much easier to use rather than listening for the voice over to tell you when it can see all corners of the page and great price value. £5.99 from the UK store. It works really well on a4 paper anyway. It read a couple of my personal letters to me without many gibberish flaws. Thanks so much for sharing this podcast about this worth wuile app.
Yes, I can verify that the
Yes, I can verify that the seeing AI app can support handwriting.
Reading handwritten text.
For the sake of completeness, Envision AI and Prizmo Go can read handwritten material too.
Malcolm
Voice dream scanner
Hello, great podcast on this app. I would be interested in knowing if you are placing the document with the top edge at the top, or is the document facing sideways with the top edge towards the left or right? I’m not getting it to read quite as fluently as you did in the podcast.
Go Vertical
Hi Linda,
I generally place the item upright. Doesn't matter if it upside down or not but as along that it is in a vertical position. Also, make sure you get a solid tone before taking a picture. Lastly, always start down low and work your way up to the solid tone. As I've notice that when it is to high that I won't get nearly as a good result.
HTH
- AnonyMouse
Device to hold IPhone while using Voice Dream Scanner
Hi Thomas,
I have downloaded the Voice Dream Scanner and it is all that you said it was in the podcast.
I have created a stand to hold IPhones aloft to use with these scanning apps and it works great. It's called Portable Device Stand.
Could I send you one to try for review please? I am selling them for $34.99 and can be viewed at:
http://portabledevicestand.com/
My new email is:
dm582714@gmail.com
Phone: 585-739-9879
Thanks for considering, Dan