SpectaLing beta: multi-engine dictation app with free live translation and interpretation
A new macOS/iOS app called SpectaLing has launched a free TestFlight beta. It automatically picks the best engine for the situation: Whisper for accuracy, Nvidia Parakeet for speed on English and European languages, or Apple's built-in on-device (macOS 26 / iOS 26).
Translation is included free, using Apple Translation, , or Google's on-device Gemma model — or users can plug in their own Claude, Gemini, or GPT API key, or point the app at a personal Ollama or LM Studio server. It offers from the microphone or system audio, plus a spoken interpretation feature that reads the translation into your earphones a few seconds behind (not true simultaneous interpreting, but useful for following a talk or meeting).
There's also a camera mode that overlays on what you're viewing. The developer hasn't decided whether the app will be free or paid and is asking for input.
Key points
- Automatically routes between three speech engines: Whisper, Nvidia Parakeet, and Apple's on-device
- Free built-in translation via Apple Translation, , or Google Gemma — or bring your own API key or Ollama/LM Studio server
- from mic or system audio, plus earphone interpretation with a few seconds of delay
- Camera mode overlays on what you're pointing at
- Currently a free TestFlight beta; pricing (free vs. paid) undecided pending user feedback