Improved
- The update window now shows what's new in each version, with a link to the full changelog.
Changelog
What's new and what's fixed in each version. BirdChatter updates itself, so you'll get these automatically.
New
- When an update has downloaded, a blue dot appears on the menu bar bird and next to Settings. Choose Restart to Update to install it right away, or it installs the next time BirdChatter quits. You'll see this starting with the update after 0.2.2.
- With automatic updates turned off, a new version now shows up as a dot instead of an update window popping up over what you're doing.
Fixed
- BirdChatter could crash when another app switched audio devices, for example when joining a video call in Chrome.
- Plugging in or switching microphones while BirdChatter is idle no longer does any work in the background. The microphone is set up on your next press.
Improved
- The home screen in light mode has a clear sky-blue background with faster drifting clouds.
New
- Automatic updates. BirdChatter checks once a day, downloads new versions in the background and installs them the next time it quits. Turn this off in Settings › Updates, or use Check for Updates… in the menu bar menu at any time.
Improved
- Parakeet Ultra is now the default speech model, and the smaller v2 model downloads in the background as a backup. Settings describes how accurate each model is.
- Dismiss on a dictionary suggestion is now Not now. The suggestion comes back if you make the same fix twice more.
Fixed
- Fixes you make after a dictation are now learned in Emacs and Ghostty, when you rewrite a whole short dictation, and for names made of dictionary words.
Fixed
- The speech model download shows its real progress, and the status card in the sidebar opens the model's settings.
Improved
- Removed a leftover step that copied settings from a pre-release build.
Fixed
- Scrollbars no longer get clipped by the rounded corners of the main panel.
The first release of BirdChatter.
New
- Hold a key, talk, and let go. BirdChatter types what you said into whatever app you're in, transcribed entirely on your Mac.
- Hands-free dictation by double-tapping your shortcut or pressing a separate hotkey.
- A dictionary for names and terms, with import and export as JSON or CSV, and suggestions learned from fixes you make after a dictation.
- Insights: your speaking speed, how often you fix things, which apps you dictate into, and a streak heatmap.
- System, light or dark appearance.