The next major version of Apple's mobile operating system, iOS 5, may improve the iPhone's speech recognition capabilities and include a hearing aid mode.
The update, due out this fall, is in beta, or test mode, for software developers. Over the weekend, a fifth release to developers was made.
NatesTechUpdate, on YouTube, shared some of the changes in the software, including the hearing aid mode. Apple notes that it's a new feature "which may improve compatibility between Apple devices and hearing aids in some circumstances," but may also have the effect of reducing 2G, or second-generation, cellular coverage.
Other improvements, in the speech-to-text area, are also likely; website 9 to 5 Mac shared a screenshot that from "a reliable source" that shows "how the iOS 5 speech-to-text functionality will be activated. As you can see, it is quite simple. Just click the microphone icon next to the space key and start talking. Once the key is clicked, a new microphone overlay will appear as long as you are talking. After that, the text will appear in the text field as you can see in the screenshot above."
The updated operating system includes more than 200 new features, "such as a revamped notifications system, an improved lock screen, Newsstand, Twitter integration, multitasking gestures, over-the-air software updates and more." wrote msnbc.com's Rosa Golijan, when iOS 5 was first announced in June.
When it does become available, it will work with the iPhone 4, iPhone3GS, and the last two generations of the iPod Touch.
— Via Venture Beat
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