Does the Braina Virtual Assitant help improve productivity? A review.
Braina (Brain + Artificial) is an artificial intelligence virtual assistant and focuses on improving productivity. A host of advanced features allows you to operate your computer, create text and manage files by voice commands rather than a typing device.
Anyone spending a lot of time on the computer and trying to avoid time-consuming typing tasks will benefit from using Braina. Keep reading our Braina review to see whether this is the right dictation software to help improve your working flow as well.
Braina – Overview of Concept
AI – Braina boasts a superior speech recognition capacity but it is much more than just that. State-of-the-art AI technology allows the software to learn and to adapt to the personal preferences and needs of each individual user.
Speech – Advanced features such as the dictation component and various ways of interacting with the computer using voice input are all easy to use. As Braina learns from the user it becomes even easier, faster and more accurate.
Reviews – Respected review sites such as Capterra, FinancesOnline or Pat Research, furthermore, consistently rate Braina as one of the top performers in its class.
Braina Features and Versions
Dictation
Braina’s speech recognition technology supports more than a hundred languages and many different accents. Many users exploit the fast and accurate technology to increase their productivity, using Braina as an advanced dictation system.
Any software that accepts text input (word processors, websites, notepads, calendars, etc.) seamlessly interacts with Braina, even in noisy environments. Users with a minor speech impediment such as a lisp or Dysarthria can also use Braina.
Unfortunately, those with serious speech impediments such as a pronounced stutter or Apraxia will not benefit from Braina. In comparison, Nuance’s Dragon software client seems to do a better job here when it comes to tackle common impediments.
Artificial Brain
The science of AI has come a very long way, as Braina demonstrates. Much effort has gone into making Braina think and understand like a human. As time goes by, it learns from experience. For example, dictation becomes easier because Braina gets used to your accent and actively learns from editing sessions.
Remote Control
Braina’s Android and iOS apps allow remotely controlling your computer through a smartphone. Activate processes, play music, open files and issue a host of other voice commands to use your computer without actually being physically present.
Customized Commands
Creating customized voice commands for use with Braina is truly straightforward. Improve your productivity by creating a custom voice command that will perform several steps simultaneously.
For example: In your word processor, instead of clicking “File”, “Page Setup”, “Paper Size” and finally “A4” you can create a voice command to follow all these steps automatically. This is a useful feature when you execute certain commands repeatedly.
Play Media Files
Managing your video and music files is easy and smooth. Search for songs, playlists, albums and videos on your local drives or on online platforms like Youtube or Spotify. Play your videos or music, pause it, rewind it and manage it in any manner you would normally employ by using your keyboard and mouse.
Text to Speech
Having text from websites, your own work or e-books read to you aloud allows you to concentrate on the content and even the writing style. Braina does this brilliantly. Choose between various reading voices and even adjust the speed at which the reading is done. Pause at any time and perform editing when necessary.
Mathematics Wizard
Braina is a highly efficient talking calculator but also a powerful mathematician. Advanced problems of Arithmetic, Trigonometry, Prime Numbers, Percentages, Powers and Roots or Set Theory Mathematical definitions can be solved instantly.
Users find it particularly helpful that there is no need to present a problem to Braina in a formal manner. A simple question in plain language is all that is required. (For example: What is the square root of 139?)
Perform Online Searches
Using Braina to search for information, images, videos or audio online saves time and produces well-defined search results. There is no need to use a specific syntax to perform searches – plain English is perfect.
Dictionary and Thesaurus
Most computer users are used to language tools that allow them to look up the definition of a word and to find synonyms and antonyms for them. Braina does this in response to a spoken request but it also responds to more obscure dictionary requests, such as “List words that contain the word roast“ Spelling and grammar checks are thorough and fast.
Search for Files and Folders
Braina claims that it can search for and open files, folders, programs, websites and special locations ten times faster than even the most competent user. It is not necessary to know the location of the desired file or program. A simple command such as ‘Open Control Panel’ will suffice.
Automate Keystrokes
Any keystroke or series of keystrokes can be automated with Braina. Most users repeatedly enter information such as user names, addresses and other information. With Braina, a single voice command can simplify login procedures, the completion of forms, advancing slides in a presentation and a host of other tasks.
Taking Notes
Anyone in the habit of jotting down notes, contact details, remarks and ideas will find this feature of Braina useful. Notes can be made on the fly, even whilst occupied with other tasks such as dictation.
Alarms and Reminders
Create multiple alarms and reminders to help you remember appointments, overdue tasks, calls to be made or for any of the other numerous little errands that form part of everyday life. Alarms and reminders can be once-off or recurring. Different alarm tones can be assigned to different types of reminders.
News, Weather and Time
Find out what the weather and time are in any city anywhere in the world. A wide variety of news reports related to any specific topic, region or city is also instantly available at all times.
Window Control
All the familiar commands used to control a window (maximize, minimize, scroll up or down etc.) can be issued by means of voice commands in Braina.
Startup Command
Numerous computer users routinely follow a specific routine when starting the computer. For example, you may always open a specific series of websites as soon as you have started the computer. Braina can be used to automate the startup process and to open those websites automatically.
Miscellaneous Features
- Find popular events for any city in the world
- Shut down your computer remotely
- Access jokes and quotations
- Give Braina a unique name
Braina Versions
Braina Desktop is available in three different versions, however, it is for use on a Windows-based computer only:
Braina Lite. This free version offers only the basic Braina features. Notably NOT INCLUDED is dictation, access to multiple languages and the Artificial Brain. Users are limited to basic search commands, the dictionary and the mathematical features.
Braina Pro (Annual). An annual subscription of $49.00 per month gives you full access to all the features, including updates.
Braina Pro (Lifetime). Paying $139.00 will secure you a lifetime license for Braina.
Android and iOS Apps. These apps can be downloaded free of charge by all users, mainly for the purpose of using a smart device to remotely control Braina.
Pros and Cons
Currently, there is a race of who will develop the best technology in the area of speech recognition, and Braina certainly wants to be on top of it. Apart from its many advantages, we also noticed some sluggishness when it comes to Braina’s interface. Time’s not ready yet.
Saying this, some users may call the interface slightly outdated. On the other side, this also applies to competitors such as FlyTek which put more emphasis on the underlying technology rather than on a ‘fancy’ design.
Since this technology still has to go a long way to fully mature, it might be worth to look at typing software to help improve keyboard efficiency and thus combine the best of both worlds.
Pros
- Easy to install and to use
- Many ways in which to customize and personalize Braina
- Excellent online support.
- Extremely accurate
- Plug-ins are available to transcribe pre-recorded audio files
- Superior built-in training program
- Supports multiple user profiles
- Does not hog PC performance resources
Cons
- An Internet connection is required for voice tasks
- Not suitable for users with serious speech impediments or hearing problems
- Punctuation for non-English languages can be erratic
- Not available for Mac users
- Apps seem to stay behind expectations
Braina Review – Summary and Verdict
The developers of Braina have gone to great lengths to cater to the needs of a very diverse target group ranging from students and gaming enthusiasts to busy people pressed for time. Professional reviews and feedback from numerous satisfied users suggest that the software work as promised.
Braina is reasonably priced, but it would have been nice to try out the full version before making a buying decision. Nevertheless, if you need to work faster and smarter, if you are visually impaired, or if your keyboard skills are mediocre, then Braina is for you.
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