The "Speech Recognition" folder found with this note includes the version 1.5 of the Speech Recognition extension, documentation, sample code, libraries and header files that developers can use to create Macintosh applications that listen!
The "PlainTalk 1.4.1" folder contains installers for Apple's PlainTalk family of speech software, which Apple ships on many of its Macintosh computers today. This includes "English Text-to-Speech" and "English Speech Recognition". These packages include the system extensions that let the Mac talk and listen, and utilities to show them off a bit -- utilities like SimpleText (which can speak) and Speakable Items (which can listen and open Finder files when a user says their names). Read-me files in the "PlainTalk 1.4.1" folder describes these utilities more. The information in the "Speech Recognition" folder allows developers to create more sophisticated, fun, and useful applications that communicate with users, at least in part, through speech.
If you have not already done so, we recommend that you run the installers for "English Text-to-Speech" and "English Speech Recognition." Then replace version 1.4.1 of the Speech Recognition extension with the latest version, 1.5.
As of April 1996, developers can license, at no cost, current versions of Apple's text-to-speech and speech recognition software for distribution with applications that use them. (Licensing policies and software versions can change, so check with Apple's licensing group at SW.LICENSE@applelink.apple.com -- or AppleLink: SW.LICENSE -- for current licensing information.)
Developers can find current information on all of Apple's Software Developer Kits, including PlainTalk Speech Recognition and Text-to-Speech software, on the World Wide Web at: