SpeakON introduces magnetic iPhone button with AI-powered voice actions

Talking to your phone in public might still earn you a few strange looks, but SpeakON thinks it's a better option than typing. The company has introduced SpeakON Agent, an AI-powered feature for its magnetic iPhone accessory that promises to turn everyday rambling into something useful. The hardware itself is fairly simple: a small magnetic button that sticks to the back of your iPhone. Press it, start talking, and the accompanying software converts your speech into polished text. SpeakON claims it can even work without unlocking the phone or switching apps.

The new Agent feature is taking things even further. Tell it about a meeting, an idea or something you need to remember, and it can organize your thoughts into notes, lists and suggested actions. These might include setting a reminder or preparing an email, although you'll still need to approve what happens next. There's also Smart Polish, which removes those embarrassing ums and ahs, while another feature adjusts your writing style depending on the app you're using. SpeakON also offers translation in 12 languages, custom vocabulary and offline recording.

The company advertises over 10 hours of continuous battery life. SpeakON is currently available in the US, with the magnetic accessory listed at $129. 

Of course, iPhones already understand voice commands, so SpeakON isn't exactly inventing the wheel. But giving voice input its own dedicated button is an interesting idea, particularly for people whose thumbs have had enough of tiny keyboards.