new technology inventions| new computer technology 2017 | new technologies 2017 | latest technology gadgets | new technology 2018 | new technology 2017 in computer science | new technology 2020 | new technology in computer field

Post Top Ad

Saturday, 11 February 2017

10:32

Top 10 Hot Artificial Intelligence Technologies

The market for man made brain power innovations is thriving. Past the buildup and the uplifted media consideration, the various new businesses and the web mammoths hustling to get them, there is a critical increment in speculation and appropriation by endeavors. A Narrative Science overview discovered a year ago that 38% of undertakings are as of now utilizing AI, developing to 62% by 2018. Forrester Research anticipated a more prominent than 300% expansion in interest in manmade brainpower in 2017 contrasted and 2016. IDC evaluated that the AI market will develop from $8 billion in 2016 to more than $47 billion in 2020.
Top 10 Hot Artificial Intelligence

Begat in 1955 to portray another software engineering sub-teach, "Computerized reasoning" today incorporates an assortment of advancements and instruments, some time-tried, others moderately new. To help understand what's hot and so forth, Forrester simply distributed a TechRadar write about Artificial Intelligence (for application improvement experts), a point by point examination of 13 innovations endeavors ought to consider embracing to bolster human basic leadership.

In light of Forrester's examination, here's my rundown of the 10 most blazing AI advancements:

Common Language Generation: Producing content from PC information. Presently utilized as a part of client administration, report era, and outlining business knowledge experiences. Test merchants: Attivio, Automated Insights, Cambridge Semantics, Digital Reasoning, Lucidworks, Narrative Science, SAS, Yseop.

Discourse Recognition: Transcribe and change human discourse into configuration helpful for PC applications. Right now utilized as a part of intelligent voice reaction frameworks and versatile applications. Test merchants: NICE, Nuance Communications, OpenText, Verint Systems.

Virtual Agents: "The present dear of the media," says Forrester (I trust they allude to my developing associations with Alexa), from basic chatbots to cutting edge frameworks that can connect with people. As of now utilized as a part of client administration and bolster and as a keen home director. Test sellers: Amazon, Apple, Artificial Solutions, Assist AI, Creative Virtual, Google, IBM, IPsoft, Microsoft, Satisfi.

Machine Learning Platforms: Providing calculations, APIs, improvement and preparing toolboxs, information, and in addition figuring energy to configuration, prepare, and convey models into applications, forms, and different machines. At present utilized as a part of an extensive variety of big business applications, generally `involving expectation or order. Test sellers: Amazon, Fractal Analytics, Google, H2O.ai, Microsoft, SAS, Skytree.

AI-streamlined Hardware: Graphics preparing units (GPU) and machines particularly planned and architected to effectively run AI-situated computational occupations. As of now principally having any kind of effect in profound learning applications. Test merchants: Alluviate, Cray, Google, IBM, Intel, Nvidia.

Choice Management: Engines that embed tenets and rationale into AI frameworks and utilized for beginning setup/preparing and progressing upkeep and tuning. A develop innovation, it is utilized as a part of a wide assortment of big business applications, helping with or performing computerized basic leadership. Test merchants: Advanced Systems Concepts, Informatica, Maana, Pegasystems, UiPath.

Profound Learning Platforms: An exceptional kind of machine learning comprising of simulated neural systems with different deliberation layers. As of now essentially utilized as a part of example acknowledgment and order applications upheld by expansive informational indexes. Test merchants: Deep Instinct, Ersatz Labs, Fluid AI, MathWorks, Peltarion, Saffron Technology, Sentient Technologies.
Top 10 Hot Artificial Intelligence

Biometrics: Enable more characteristic associations amongst people and machines, including however not constrained to picture and touch acknowledgment, discourse, and non-verbal communication. As of now utilized essentially in statistical surveying. Test sellers: 3VR, Affectiva, Agnitio, FaceFirst, Sensory, Synqera, Tahzoo.

Mechanical Process Automation: Using scripts and different techniques to robotize human activity to bolster productive business forms. As of now utilized where it's excessively costly or wasteful for people, making it impossible to execute an assignment or a procedure. Test merchants: Advanced Systems Concepts, Automation Anywhere, Blue Prism, UiPath, WorkFusion.

Content Analytics and NLP: Natural dialect preparing (NLP) uses and backings content investigation by encouraging the comprehension of sentence structure and significance, estimation, and aim through measurable and machine learning techniques. At present utilized as a part of extortion location and security, an extensive variety of computerized partners, and applications for mining unstructured information. Test merchants: Basis Technology, Coveo, Expert System, Indico, Knime, Lexalytics, Linguamatics, Mindbreeze, Sinequa, Stratifyd, Synapsify.

There are positively numerous business benefits picked up from AI advancements today, however as per a study Forrester led a year ago, there are likewise deterrents to AI reception as communicated by organizations without any arrangements of putting resources into AI:

There is no characterized business case 42%

Not clear what AI can be utilized for 39% 

Try not to have the required aptitudes 33% 

Require first to put resources into modernizing information mgt stage 29%
06:08

5 Examples of Technology You Can Use Now

With the development of the more established populace, there are a huge amount of organizations attempting to address their issues and make items they will need to utilize. In any event, what they see the should be. 
Examples of Technology

Actually, I have a tendency to be somewhat even minded with regards to items. That could conceivably be something to be thankful for. However, as far as genuine maturing set up thoughts, it is. In the soul of keeping innovation important, here are 5 items that are innovation you can utilize at this moment for maturing set up. 

Advanced cells 

5 Examples of Technology You Can Use Now 

5 Examples of Technology You Can Use Now 

Advanced cells are wherever today and more established individuals can encounter many advantages from having one. As you've presumably listened, there is an application for pretty much everything. Here are a couple of things that a cell phone may help a more seasoned individual do. 

Think cell phones are excessively entangled? get a launcher application that evacuates the disarray and streamlines the telephone's screens. (Samsung telephones have Easy Mode worked in). 

Utilize an amplifying glass? Transform your telephone's camera into one that presentations expanded protests on your telephone's screen. 

Need to monitor your glucose or pulse? There are independent applications and ones that interface up to checking gadgets. 

Like to play amusements? There are a lot of applications accessible for mind wellness, aptitude and that's only the tip of the iceberg. 
Examples of Technology

Require updates for pharmaceutical or arrangements? There are a few applications that can help you do that. 

More established individuals in a hurry may appreciate video talks utilizing Skype or FaceTime with family or companions. 

Attempting to watch what you eat? There are bounty that offer calorie checking, sodium admission and that's just the beginning. 

The quantity of applications particularly intended for more established individuals is developing as organizations work to create innovation that is advantageous to more seasoned individuals. 

Programmed lights 

Falls are the main source of lethal and non-deadly wounds among more established grown-ups. What's more, the more established a man gets the more potential there is for a fall. Along these lines, it bodes well that one extraordinary approach to diminish the conceivable outcomes of a fall is having the capacity to see your way to the restroom during the evening. Make that a reality by introducing lights that go ahead consequently during the evening when somebody goes from the room to the lavatory. These lights ought to be set to a lower power so as not to startle (or visually impaired) a man amidst the night. 

There are numerous alternatives accessible available from lights that are a piece of a home computerization framework to lights that work freely. The second choice is exceptionally reasonable and simple to introduce. 

Movement and wellbeing observing 

Innovation you can utilize can take many structures. It can offer an extra level of support and help for more seasoned individuals and their friends and family, without being meddlesome. There are numerous frameworks available today that can help a cherished on remain more autonomous and help a friend or family member give care to that individual. For example, GrandCare and Independa give action and wellbeing observing, while likewise taking into account correspondence with friends and family. (Among different elements.) Systems, for example, BeClose and Lively give movement observing to help families know whether their adored one is doing OK. 

The quantity of in-home observing frameworks is developing, for the most part since it bodes well to help more seasoned individuals remain safe at home longer. They extend in usefulness, however most give basically a similar center administration. However, many offer extra administrations, for example, negligible home robotization, video conferencing, email and photograph sharing. 

Tablet PCs 

PCs are wherever now and tablets are among the absolute most famous. In addition to the fact that they are advantageous, they give a large group of advantages to individuals of all ages. More established individuals can utilize tablets to video visit with loved ones (and amazing children, obviously) on applications, for example, Skype or FaceTime. There are likewise applications for following arrangements, wellbeing or prescription updates. You likewise have the essential capacities to send and get photographs, email, perusing the Internet, tune in to music and watch motion pictures. 

Robotized cupboards 

Getting to things that are on top racks or in the back of cupboards can be troublesome for almost anybody. By introducing cupboards that naturally lower (or haul out, on the off chance that you need bring down tech) permits a man to effectively achieve every one of the substance. There are a few alternatives accessible in the computerized cupboards, which by and large drop straight down or out and down. 

These cupboards mean no more tip-toeing to achieve, which can decrease the shot of falls and sprains. it additionally implies that you can have your cupboards more sorted out (or composed as you prefer), since you don't need to place things on maybe a couple retires so you can contact them. 

Innovation you can utilize 

Along these lines, there you have it. Our five cases of innovation you can utilize at this moment for maturing set up. What do you think? Have any you'd get a kick out of the chance to add to the rundown?
06:02

15 Examples Of New Technology In Education

What latest gadgets and gizmos are going to change your classroom in 2013?

It’s hard to know exactly what will catch on and what won’t, but the following list showcases some of the emerging new technologies, software, and platforms available. With their innovation and practicality, many of these are poised to enter the classroom and change the way students and teachers learn permanently.
15 Examples Of New Technology In Education



15 Examples Of New Technology In Education

1. Flashnotes

Remember the days of doodling on the side of your spiral notebook while you tried to take copious notes from your boring biology teacher? Would you be more motivated if you knew that your notes would not only give you an edge on the exam, but could also earn you a bit of cash?

Flashnotes allows students to upload their lecture notes and sell them to other students who need more help or resources. The rating system allows the best note takers to get more business and the general pool of knowledge expands as students continue to share their work with one another.

2. Lore

The new startup is using a Facebook type platform- riding the wave of what works- and tailoring it for education. This social network allows professors and students to communicate, follow one another, and discuss class work and lectures.

In addition to the social aspect, it allows for document uploads, calendar sharing, and a grade book option. So why is this better than Facebook? Simply put, social networks aren’t always the best place to develop academic networks. Students can follow their professors and interact with them without worrying about that compromising photo from a crazy weekend party.

3. Study Blue
15 Examples Of New Technology In Education


Imagine your smartphone as your primary source for study materials. This company has created an app that allows students to organize their coursework, store notes and flashcards, and share their materials with other students.

Study Blue’s main attraction is that it is mobile. Whether standing in line for coffee, riding the train, or waiting at the dentist, a student can easily access their class work and prepare for an exam. The social aspect also helps students find other people studying similar subjects, capitalizing on a different set of notes and study guides.

4. LEAP Motion

Imagine the ability to sign your name on a digital document using only your finger and the air. That is technology behind LEAP Motion, a company intent on giving people a more natural way to interact with the computer.

LEAP has developed a piece of hardware that allows anyone to write, draw, zoom, play, and interact with their computer screen using a finger, fingers, or entire hand. By moving your hand over the device, the mouse follows your movements.

This is a huge improvement from the days of the stylus and pad- even with the fine motor control- it was difficult to make drawings look authentic. LEAP is set to do that.

5. Papertab

Papertab won’t be ready to use in 2013, but I think it’s interesting enough to include it in this list. Paper, afterall, is HUGE part of the school life.

6. Chromebooks

Despite the rising popularity of tablets, Google’s Chromebook may snatch the competition in the lower grade school classrooms. The laptops have a few distinct advantages over the apple iPad:

-They are less expensive

-One-button-push easy setup

-Easy to control settings and restrictions

-Offers the traditional keyboard for fast typing and note taking

-Hardware fixes are easier and less costly

7. Celly
15 Examples Of New Technology In Education


Teachers are continually fighting against the ever-growing list of distractions that a smart phone offers to bored or shy students in the back of the room. But Celly is a text-messaging network that allows anyone to create a network anywhere- at a rally, event, in the classroom, or on a field trip using smartphones.

Teachers that have used this in their classrooms have noted that those who normally never speak up…do. It forces students to write their thoughts clearly and concisely. Rather than fighting the tide against texting, instructors are using it for academic purposes.

8. Flipped Classroom



While not a technology per se, this teaching model is using technology to change the way instructors teach. Rather than spending the class time lecturing the students, the lectures are delivered to the student’s in video format for them to watch at home (or in study hall).

Then, the classroom time is set aside for 1 on 1 help, discussion, and interaction based on the lecture homework. With nearly every student carrying a mobile device or laptop, this model may give students and teachers more time to work on areas of difficulty rather than simple straight lecture. For too long, instructors have seen that precious class time go to waste while a teacher scribbles on a blackboard and has their back to the students.

9. Snagit, Jing, Camtasia

These screen capture video software programs are making it easy for instructors to give online tutorials. TechSmith offers a host of different products from a free screen capture to professional quality videos.

Imagine a tech-ed teacher trying to explain how to download an app. He/she can record narration while capturing the screen shots as he/she demonstrates the action. This feature can also be used for teachers who are correcting a paper or demonstrating a math problem.

10. LessonCast

Teachers need help and support with their lesson plans just as much as students need help with studying for exams. LessonCast allows teachers to submit a 2-minute lesson plan strategy, idea, or resource using video, documents, Powerpoint, etc. and share it with other instructors.

The free-based software is just another way to offer networking opportunities and a general pool of knowledge that globally impacts education in a positive way. Teachers Paying Teachers is a similar network that allows educators to sell their lesson plans to other instructors.

11. Kid Blog

Designed specifically for younger students; Kid Blog provides a safe opportunity for children to start up their own blog connected to the classroom.

Teachers can help students design a blog around a science project, a history lesson, or an entire year’s worth of school progress. The students get the benefit of other students and parents commenting on their work- a great motivation for hesitant writers. Kid Blog makes it easy to keep the child and content secure from the dangers of the Internet.

12. Glogster EDU

Gone are the days of laboring over a diorama made from a shoebox or wrestling with markers on a poster board. When it is report time, students can use Glogster to creatively display their research.

Glogster allows students to collage pictures, text, video, and custom graphics to create a visually appealing presentation for their latest project. The Glogs are easy to make and share!

13. Donors Choose

Funding websites are popping up all over the Internet. People who are frustrated with the bureaucracy of grant writing decide to strike out on their own and build a project from the ground up. With Donors Choose, you can pitch your idea for your classroom.

Teachers create projects they hope to accomplish with their students. Much like Kickstarter, individuals can fund or back any project they choose. Then they share it across social media and if a teacher has created the project pitch well, it gets the attention and money it needs.

14. Live Binders

Those handy three ring binders are now digital. Using the same idea as pinning and bookmarking, the binder allows educators to collect and organize resources for lesson plans.

The Live Binder can also work for students who are amassing resources for a big project. You can also browse other binders and share your own.

15. Knewton

This new technology company aims at personalizing content for optimal learning. The platform monitors the student’s activity and uses the information to give the student the best personalized resources based on their level of performance.

The technology also boasts integration among different disciplines creating a more comprehensive set of resources that interact with one another. Knewton grows more intuitive the more the student uses the software. It can follow a student through their entire education career.

This is a cross-post from opencolleges.edu.au; Image attribution flickr user intelde
05:12

INTELLIGENCE FINALLY ENTERED OUR EVERYDAY WORLD

ANDREW NG HANDS me a modest gadget that wraps around my ear and interfaces with a cell phone by means of a little link. It would appear that a return—a cell phone earpiece without a Bluetooth association. Be that as it may, it's truly a look at what's to come. As it were, this minor gadget permits the incognizant in regards to see. 


Ng is the central researcher at Chinese tech monster Baidu, and this is one of the organization's most recent models. It's called DuLight. The gadget contains a small camera that catches whatever is before you—a man's face, a road sign, a bundle of nourishment—and sends the pictures to an application on your cell phone. The application dissects the pictures, figures out what they portray, and creates a sound depiction that is heard through to your earpiece. On the off chance that you can't see, you can in any event get a thought of what's before you. 

Counterfeit consciousness is changing not just the way we utilize our PCs and cell phones however the way we interface with this present reality. 


DuLight is still in the most punctual phases of advancement. It doesn't act and in addition it one day will. Be that as it may, it focuses to a future where machines can see and even comprehend their surroundings and in addition—or far better than—people can. This sort of manmade brainpower is changing not just the way we utilize our PCs and cell phones however the way we collaborate with the world. 

Ng's model depends on an innovation called profound learning. Inside the huge PC server farms that support Baidu's online administrations, the organization runs enormous neural systems—systems of equipment and programming that inexact the web of neurons in the human mind. By breaking down colossal accumulations of advanced pictures, these systems can figure out how to recognize objects, composed words, even human countenances. Nourish enough feline photographs into a neural net, and it can figure out how to recognize a feline. Bolster it enough photographs of a cloud, and it can figure out how to recognize a cloud. 

This same innovation as of now is taking care of an extensive variety of different undertakings inside Baidu and US tech monsters like Google, Facebook, and Microsoft. At Google, neural nets empower you to immediately look for particular individuals, spots, and things covered in your own accumulation of photographs. It perceives the summons you talk into your Android telephone. At Facebook, profound learning innovation recognizes confronts in the photographs you post in announcements. At Skype, which Microsoft claims, it drives an administration that in a split second deciphers discussions starting with one dialect then onto the next. 

A neural net can help with a wide range of methods of recognition. This innovation is notwithstanding starting to comprehend the normal way people talk. Witness a chatbot Google is working by bolstering old motion picture exchange into a neural net so the bot can figure out how to bear on a discussion. 

The greater part of this appears like sci-fi. Be that as it may, 2015 is the year computerized reasoning innovation took off bigly in this present reality. DuLight and the Google chatbot might be investigations, however Facebook's face acknowledgment, Microsoft's Skype interpretation, and Google's Android voice acknowledgment are genuine—and accessible to all. Google is additionally utilizing this innovation to drive its Internet web index, the linchpin of its online realm. Twitter is utilizing it to distinguish erotica, which gives individuals the chance to square it. Baidu utilizes it to target commercials and distinguish malware. 

MORE AI 

Google Just Open Sourced TensorFlow, Its Artificial Intelligence Engine 

Google Just Open Sourced TensorFlow, Its Artificial Intelligence Engine 

Facebook Open Sources Its AI Hardware as It Races Google 

Facebook Open Sources Its AI Hardware as It Races Google 

Google Made a Chatbot That Debates the Meaning of Life 

Google Made a Chatbot That Debates the Meaning of Life 

What's more, because of some huge moves toward the finish of the year, progresses in profound learning will just quicken. 

Toward the beginning of November, Google astonished the tech world by publicly releasing the product motor that drives its profound learning administrations, offering this terrifically vital tech to everybody. Not that Google gave away all its innovation—not to mention the monstrous measures of information that truly bolster profound learning frameworks to make them really valuable—however it opened source enough to help drive the advancement of profound learning outside the organization. 

Weeks after the fact, Facebook publicly released plans for the custom-manufactured equipment server that drives its profound learning work. A day from that point forward, a gathering drove by Tesla Motors author Elon Musk and Y Combinator president Sam Altman divulged a $1 billion philanthropic called OpenAI that pledges to share the majority of its AI research and innovation with the outside world. 

OpenAI is a major ordeal since it will be regulated by Ilya Sutskever, once in the past one of Google's top AI scientists. Musk and Altman have likewise pitched the association as a method for shielding the world from the risks of AI. They stress that tech like profound learning will turn out to be powerful to the point that it will get to be something of a super-human insight out of hand, and they trust the most ideal method for staying away from that is to place AI in everybody's grasp. 

"Much the same as people ensure against Dr. Abhorrent by the way that most people are great, and the aggregate drive of mankind can contain the terrible components," says Altman, "we think its much more probable that numerous, numerous AIs, will work to stop the incidental awful on-screen characters." 

It's too soon to tell whether this illogical contention will hold up. Science is still far from super-human AI—on the off chance that it touches base by any stretch of the imagination. The risks are absolutely worth considering. In any case, society ought to grasp the great that AI can do. DuLight is a prime case. You'll discover comparative work under route at Facebook. This fall, the organization flaunted innovation for the outwardly impeded that will consequently investigate photographs in their Facebook News Feeds and, by means of a content to-discourse motor, portray what's in those photographs. Its impact will be both prompt and tremendous. More than 50,000 outwardly debilitated individuals as of now utilize Facebook—despite the fact that they can't perceive what's in the photographs. Presently, a machine can go about as their eyes. The effect of AI is currently plain for all to see.

Friday, 23 September 2016

07:52

New in iOS 10: Magnifier

Magnifier captured an image of a keyboard and user applied yellow/blue high contrast mode 15x magnified keyboard key using Magnifier

Apple's newly released mobile operating system includes a new accessibility feature called Magnifier. The feature uses the device's built-in camera to enlarge objects placed in front of the camera. This can be helpful for people with visual disabilities who need to read small print. The feature can be enabled by navigating to Settings > General > Accessibility > Magnifier. Once enabled, Magnifier can be accessed by triple clicking the home button.

Magnifier's interface looks very similar to the camera apps interface with a few notable changes. One change is that Magnifier has a freeze frame button rather than a shutter button. Pressing this button freezes the image instead of taking a picture. Magnifier also has a zoom slider that is large and always visible on screen. The zoom slider allows users to zoom in further than is possible with the camera app. Magnifier allows users to zoom in up to 15x compared to 5x with the camera app (iPhone 7 Plus has optical zoom). However, the further a user zooms in the more pixelated the image will become. Magnifier also includes several high contrast options that can be applied before or after a freeze frame is captured.

Magnifier has several advantages over taking a picture with the camera app and then enlarging the image from the camera roll. The first advantage is that freeze frames are captured in full resolution. This means that users can zoom out after the freeze frame is capture. In the camera app, once a picture is captured using zoom there is no way to zoom out again. Another advantage of Magnifier is the high contrast modes that are available. Lastly, opening Magnifier by triple clicking the home button means that it is faster to launch than third party magnification apps.

There is one feature that unfortunately is not included in Magnifier which is the ability to save freeze frames for viewing at a later time. For example, if a person uses Magnifier to read a conference agenda the person may need to take multiple freeze frames of the agenda through out the day because only the most recent freeze frame can be saved.

It also may be difficult for some people to capture crisp images with Magnifier. At 15x zoom, even the slightest shake can make the image blurry. I wish Apple had added a capture timer to Magnifier. This could help eliminate minor shaking that occurs when a user reaches for the freeze frame button.

Overall, I think Magnifier will be greatly appreciated by people with visual disabilities and older people who have trouble reading small print.

Tuesday, 13 September 2016

10:49

New in iOS 10: Software TTY Calling

Software TTY call on iPhone

Apple's updated mobile operating system, iOS 10, includes many new accessibility features. One of these features is Software TTY calling. TTY calling allows people who are deaf and people with hearing disabilities who cannot communicate using voice calling to communicate with people by using voice calling through relay services. The TTY user with a hearing impairment types a message and a relay operator reads that message aloud to the person on the other end of the phone call, who does not have a hearing impairment. When the person on the other end of the phone call speaks the relay operator types what is spoken and the text then appears on the TTY device.
physical TTY machine
Previously, this communication method required a physical TTY machine such as the one pictured above. These machines are large and much less convient to carry around than an iPhone. With iOS 10, Apple is building the functionality of a TTY machine into the iPhone. This eliminates the need for people who rely on TTY calling to have a physical TTY machine.

Software TTY calling on the iPhone works much like an iMessage conversation with a few differences. When software TTY is enabled, the user makes or receives a phone call through the Phone app. Once the user dials the number and presses send the user has the option of placing the call as a voice call, TTY call, or TTY relay call. TTY relay calls will be placed using the relay number specified in settings. If the user chooses one of the TTY options they will be able to access the TTY interface which resembles an iMessage chat. iOS even suggests TTY abbreviations above the keyboard during the conversation such as GA for go ahead and SK for ready to hang up.

With voice calling on the iPhone users can press the home button during a call to access other apps while still talking to person on the other end of the call. I frequently use this feature when placed on hold. While on hold I will check my email or read the news. However, with software TTY calling, users are not notified when new TTY messages are received while using other apps. For example, if  software TTY users wants to check their email while on hold they will not be notified when the next message is received. This means that TTY users might miss incoming messages when multitasking. I would prefer that the feature send notifications when the user is multitasking to alert the user that a new TTY message is received. Much like iMessage sends notifications to users when a new message is received. This would allow TTY users to multitask without fear of missing a message.

The software TTY feature of iOS 10 is a great addition to the iPhone. I think it will be viewed as a major upgrade for TTY users. iOS 10 users who want to enable software TTY should navigate to Settings > General > Accessibility > TTY and then switch on software TTY. This menu also gives users access to other TTY settings such as setting the relay number. 

Monday, 15 February 2016

11:57

New Add-On for OneNote Benefits Students with Dyslexia


Microsoft OneNote Icon
Microsoft recently made a new add-on available for its OneNote software which aims to help students with dyslexia. The add-on works within Microsoft's note taking software and is currently available to download as a beta. Once installed, a new tab appears which gives users the option to read content using text-to-speech or dictate using speech-to-text. While both of the features have been available before it is nice to have a free option that can be used directly within OneNote: an application that many schools and parents already have installed as part of the Microsoft Office suite.


The text-to-speech reader mode is called "immersive reading mode" and includes some handy features. When activated the reader fills the entire screen with text from your OneNote notebook. While reading text is highlighted as it is read aloud. Users have the option to change the background color and text size in order to create a more comfortable reading experience. The add-on also includes the ability to highlight nouns, verbs, and adjectives in different colors; a feature that could be helpful for younger students. Microsoft even includes the ability for users to break words up into syllables.

It is exciting to see the fruits of Microsoft's enhanced accessibility initiatives. While the new features are not novel they seem easy to learn. Since the "Learning Tools" are free for OneNote users and easy to learn they may prove to be a great starting point for people new to assistive technology. Microsoft seems to be increasing their focus on accessibility. Recently, the company announced a new Chief Accessibility Officer and a reorganization of accessibility teams. Hopefully, with the new reorganization, "Learning Tools" is just the beginning of Microsoft's accessibility improvements.

The "Learning Tools" add-on available as a free download for Windows. Click here to learn more and download the add-on.