Internet Requirements
TalkWriter requires an active internet connection for all dictation. This is a deliberate design choice, not a limitation -- cloud processing is what makes TalkWriter's accuracy and AI features possible.
Why Cloud Processing Is Better
On-device speech recognition (like Apple's built-in dictation) has improved, but cloud-based models still win on accuracy by a significant margin. Here is why:
| Factor | On-Device | Cloud (TalkWriter) |
|---|---|---|
| Model size | Compressed to fit on your Mac (~1-2 GB) | Full-size models on powerful servers (100+ GB) |
| Accuracy | Good for common phrases | Excellent across accents, jargon, fast speech |
| Language support | Limited languages at full quality | 100+ languages with deep training data |
| AI Polish | Not available | Full grammar, punctuation, filler removal |
| TalkTone | Not available | 6 modes, 28+ writing styles |
| Transliteration | Not available | 10 languages (Banglish, Hinglish, etc.) |
The trade-off is simple: you need internet, but you get significantly better results. For most users, this is the right trade-off -- you are almost always online when you are working on your Mac.
What Needs Internet
| Feature | Needs Internet? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Voice dictation (Soniox STT) | ✅ Yes | Speech engine runs on cloud servers |
| AI Polish (Claude) | ✅ Yes | AI processing runs on cloud servers |
| TalkTone styling | ✅ Yes | AI processing runs on cloud servers |
| Banglish transliteration | ✅ Yes | Transliteration uses cloud AI |
| Signing in | ✅ Yes | Authentication requires server verification |
What Still Works Offline
Even without internet, you can still use these TalkWriter features:
| Feature | Works Offline? |
|---|---|
| Scratchpad (manual typing) | ✅ |
| Reading and editing Snippets | ✅ |
| Viewing and editing Dictionary | ✅ |
| Changing Settings | ✅ |
| Viewing session history | ✅ |
| Voice dictation | ❌ |
| AI Polish | ❌ |
| TalkTone | ❌ |
What Happens Without Internet
| Scenario | What You Experience |
|---|---|
| No internet at all | Dictation does not start. The pill overlay shows an error indicator. |
| Internet drops mid-dictation | Audio captured before the drop may be partially processed. Results are not guaranteed. |
| Slow or unstable internet | Dictation works but with higher latency. Some dictations may time out. |
Tips for Unreliable Connections
If your internet is not always stable:
- Test before important sessions. Do a quick test dictation to confirm your connection is working.
- Use a wired connection when possible. Ethernet is more reliable than Wi-Fi for real-time audio streaming.
- Avoid peak bandwidth times. If others on your network are streaming or downloading, TalkWriter may experience higher latency.
- Keep dictations shorter. Shorter dictations are less likely to be affected by brief connection drops.
- Use the Scratchpad as a backup. If dictation fails, switch to typing in the Scratchpad until your connection recovers.
Practical Example: Working on the Go
Scenario: You are at a coffee shop with spotty Wi-Fi and need to write an email.
- Do a quick test: hold Fn and say "testing." If text appears, your connection is working.
- Keep your dictations to 1-2 sentences at a time (use PTT mode). This minimizes the chance of a mid-dictation drop.
- If a dictation fails (pill shows error), wait a few seconds and try again.
- As a last resort, type directly into the Scratchpad -- it works without internet.
TalkWriter uses roughly the same bandwidth as a voice call. If you can make a phone call or a Zoom call, TalkWriter will work fine. You do not need fast internet -- you need stable internet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will offline dictation ever be supported? We are always evaluating new capabilities. Cloud processing currently provides the best accuracy and enables all AI features. Check the TalkWriter blog for updates on future features.
Can I use Apple's built-in dictation offline and then polish with TalkWriter? Apple Dictation can work offline on newer Macs (via the Globe key or Fn key system dictation). However, there is no integration between Apple Dictation and TalkWriter's AI Polish. You could dictate with Apple Dictation, then copy-paste the text into TalkWriter's Scratchpad, but this is a manual workaround.
How much bandwidth does TalkWriter use? Dictation uses minimal bandwidth -- roughly comparable to a voice call (about 100-200 Kbps). A stable connection matters more than raw speed.
Does TalkWriter cache anything locally? TalkWriter does not cache dictation results. Each dictation is processed fresh in real time. Your dictionary, snippets, and settings do sync and are available locally.
Was this helpful? Let us know at support@talkwriter.ai