An update on the genuine Windows freeware VoiceMacro 1.4, which I found as a replacement for Cortana voice control (removed from Windows 10 by Microsoft, who want to force people to use Windows 11 and AI). VoiceMacro has now been tested. The freeware enables ‘speak a simple word to turn a page’ on a Microsoft Surface tablet.

On testing I find that ‘nine’ and ‘he’ are trigger words that, even when softly spoken, are always recognised via the built-in pinhead microphone. These have been set to trigger ‘previous page’ / ‘next page’ in the target ebook reader(s), and work perfectly. Hands-free page turning of ebooks! This was probably ‘a thing’ a decade ago, for many, but it’s new to me.

However, it means I’ll be sounding like a cackling German scholar who’s just read Ludwig Prinn’s De Vermis Mysteriis… “Nine, he he he he, Nine!” etc. (Nein is German for ‘no!’).

Update: I found the recognition problem. The Windows 10 app-style for-dummies controls give you no control over adjusting mic levels, which are set too low (by default seemingly). You need to go into the proper Windows Control Panel and then | Sound | Recording | Microphone Array | Properties | Levels – set these to 65 | Advanced – uncheck both ‘Exclusive mode’ boxes | Apply | OK | Exit. Word recognition accuracy via the built-in mic and VoiceMacro then goes to 95-98%. You of course also need to have your microphone set to ‘Array’ in the for-dummies control settings. At a setting of 65 you would also need a fairly quiet environment.