Handsfree for web — voice control

What is this about?

Handsfree for web is a Google Chrome extension useful to browse the web invoking simple voice commands. Everything that could be done using the keyboard and the mouse, now can be done just talking to the computer.

Open websites, click something, play videos, open new tabs, bookmark some website are just a few commands of the hundreds supported by the tool. These commands unlock a new and different way to browse internet hands free. Manual interaction is not required anymore.

For whom it is?

It’s a free accessibility tool useful for people who want to or need to interact with websites hands free. However, the extension was originally intended for people with motor disabilities, its benefits, versatility and user-friendliness allow anyone to browse the web only speaking

How to install it?

Unlike other applications or programs, Handsfree for web is a Google Chrome Extension. It can be installed with just one click, download it directly from the web page or from its Google Chrome Store section.

Once it’s installed, the application supports two speech recognition modes; the first one is continuous recognition, when it’s activated, it keeps listening waiting for voice commands. The second mode is discontinuous, it starts listening for commands after pressing the Ctrl key. While the first starts a continuous voice recognition, which allows the use of the tool without even touching the keyboard. The discontinuous mode is ideal to control when one wants to use the tool, for example when you are in noisy places or near people who are talking.

How to use it?

At this moment the extension can be used in spanish and english for invoking commands and any language when dictating text.

Hundreds of voice commands are supported to allow browse the web hands free, complete forms, dictate texts, copy texts and images, open tabs, save bookmarks, play videos or search words in internet and much more.

Mentioning the word “Help” you can read the available commands at any moment.

Custom voice commands

The Handsfree for web tool provides generic voice commands that make it easier for people to browse web applications. Websites might require custom commands, the extension supports different ways to add custom commands useful to execute specific actions like “go to my twitter profile” and “send an email to my mom”.

Conclusions

Handsfree for web provides, free of charge, new interaction mechanisms and new ways of accessing to web content.

The possibilities that web interaction through voice commands provides is not only limited to an alternative means of access but also seeks to overcome the barrier caused by the domain exclusively manual in force when interacting with the browser.

The development of applications using speech recognition technologies can form a true paradigm shift in the relationship between the web and the user, who begin to interact verbally during navigation. This change will allow to incorporate millions of new users, people that are no able to interact with the browsers manually, preventing them from the universe of information, knowledge, communications and interaction, precisely in the medium where connection and accessibility are two essential values.