Microsoft is embarking on an exciting journey by assembling a dedicated team focused on enhancing native Windows applications. This initiative coincides with the recent launch of Speechify in the Microsoft Store, which presents a unique opportunity for the team to leverage the app’s capabilities for note-taking. Given its impressive dictation features, Speechify could serve as an invaluable tool for this new team.
Speechify stands out not only for its text-to-speech and speech-to-text functionalities but also for its overall performance. My recent testing revealed its effectiveness, particularly in dictation, making it a noteworthy addition to the Windows ecosystem. As Microsoft aims to revamp the Windows app experience, Speechify could serve as a compelling template.
A Windows app Microsoft should emulate
(Image credit: Future)
While there are numerous commendable Windows applications that align with Microsoft’s vision for PC computing, Speechify’s fresh approach offers a valuable perspective on the direction developers should take. Unlike other applications that may merely serve as web wrappers, Speechify has fully embraced the Windows app platform. It is compatible with various chip architectures, including AMD, Intel, and Snapdragon X, and utilizes WinUI 3 to create a truly native experience.
Collaboration with Microsoft has allowed Speechify to optimize its functionality as a native app. This means it can seamlessly integrate across applications, utilize real-time text input, and support OCR-based text capture from the screen, all while ensuring local data security through Windows encryption. Additionally, Speechify can harness the power of an NPU in a Copilot+ PC or utilize GPU acceleration, providing users with flexibility in how they choose to run the app—either in the cloud or locally.
While the Speechify extension enhances its text-to-speech capabilities, the standalone app remains a robust option. However, it is important to note that Speechify is not without its imperfections. Users may find its inability to manually resize the window somewhat limiting, as it defaults to a fixed size or can be expanded to full screen with a double-click on the title bar.
To truly elevate the Windows app experience, Microsoft would do well to adopt Speechify’s approach. This includes supporting all chip architectures from the outset, ensuring availability in the Microsoft Store, and prioritizing the development of native applications using WinUI 3 instead of relying on web wrappers. With Huyn’s expertise in native app development, there is optimism that we may soon see similar innovations in Microsoft-made apps for Windows 11.
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