Note<\/span><\/strong> \u2013 Don\u2019t confuse WordQ Pro 5 as the paid version of WordQ 5. Both are separate tools. WordQ Pro 5 is more tailored towards professionals and aspiring writers.<\/p>\nWordQ Software Review<\/h2>\n WordQ by Quillsoft is a paid tool that integrates with word processing software like Microsoft Word and Google Docs. It employs speech feedback, word prediction, and speech recognition to make comprehension and learning easier and faster.<\/p>\n
There is a mandatory initial setup where the software gets stuck while saving a vocabulary file. It took us a few minutes to circumvent it. Otherwise, the setup and installation were smooth.<\/p>\n
So, what does WordQ do exactly?<\/strong><\/p>\nEssentially, it runs in the background whenever you have an application like a word processing software up. For example, if you are typing out a mid-term science essay on Microsoft Word, WordQ will act as an assistant and help you in:<\/p>\n
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1.<\/span>Converting speech to text i.e., dictation<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
2.<\/span>Analyzing your writing style and predicting words (see the yellow rectangle in the screenshot below)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
3.<\/span>And simultaneously reading out the words that you type aloud to improve comprehension<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
The text prediction and read-aloud features are top-notch. While the text prediction might feel like a desktop version of Android\u2019s autosuggest, we observed that the suggestions are more evolved and contextual here. For instance, check the sentence being typed in the screenshot below. The third option in the text prediction rectangle is the most appropriate choice. This is where WordQ shines in helping you write better and create fluid sentences.<\/p>\n
The five options may seem limiting but as you write more, the software will pick up the pace (it allows you to save your vocabulary for future uses) and suggest more advanced options. The English level that you choose during the initial setup also matters here.<\/p>\nFigure 3 – WordQ in action<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWe also like the speech feedback option. It\u2019s not only customizable (volume and speed of the speech) but also has two sweet-sounding voice options. If you are like us and are tired of Microsoft David and Zira, you will love Graham and Lucy (for Windows). The speech is lucid and can pronounce words depending upon the English variation you choose (US English vs Australian English, for example).<\/p>\nFigure 4 – Main interface of WordQ<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe speech-to-text feature, as with most other online tools, is subpar. We tried different voices and WordQ did a half-bad job at detecting the right words. For example, we dictated \u201cHow to stay safe?\u201d and the software suggested \u201cStaying safe\u201d. It\u2019s close but not exact, which can be more time-consuming. There are recognition profiles that you can create and experiment with, so we are not ruling it out as an outlier among the other great features. But WordQ is no Dragon Professional (by Nuance).<\/p>\n
Top Features<\/h1>\n A list of the best features of WordQ 5, especially when compared to its competition:<\/p>\n
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\u2022<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Text prediction, speech recognition (Windows only), speech feedback<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\u2022<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>PDF viewer and editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\u2022<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Top research tool ThoughtQ<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\u2022<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Ability to choose English writing levels (Advanced, Blank, Intermediate, Starter)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\u2022<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Up to four different acapella voice options<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\u2022<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Exam mode for when you want to test yourself<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\u2022<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Create profiles for different people or different exercises<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\u2022<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Has a nifty Google Chrome extension<\/span><\/div>\nPros<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\u2022<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>One-stop solution for typing and editing<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\u2022<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Two excellent voice options<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\u2022<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Free trial does not require credit card details<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\u2022<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>User-intuitive software interface<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\u2022<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>You can set keyboard shortcuts for major actions<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\u2022<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Detailed user guide and video tutorials (see Help > in the software menu)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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