{"title":"Voice \u0026 Dictation","description":"\u003cp\u003eDescribing a change is usually faster than typing it. These type what you say into whatever window has focus — a terminal, a chat panel, an editor — with no driver and no plugin.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe difference between them is how close the microphone sits to your mouth, and that is what decides whether you can use one in a room with other people in it. Each page is explicit about which is which.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"voice-pad","title":"Voice Pad","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSame idea as the Whisper Key, minus the dignity of holding it.\u003c\/strong\u003e Sits flat on the desk with the mic in its body, three keys, one knob. For rooms you have to yourself.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat is the Voice Pad?\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA compact mechanical keypad supplied with a microphone, sold specifically for voice input to coding agents. Three mechanical keys, dictate, plus two programmable macro keys, and one rotary knob, on a clear acrylic base. The two keys either side of dictate work as ordinary programmable macro keys, and the knob is assignable.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat is the Voice Pad for?\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe same dictation workflow as the Whisper Key at a lower price. Because the microphone sits on the desk instead of near your lips, you have to speak up, so it suits a room you have to yourself.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eHow do you use the Voice Pad?\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConnect the Voice Pad.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHold the dictation key and speak.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRelease; the transcription is typed into the focused window.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProgram the other two keys as macro keys.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\u003ch2\u003eVoice Pad specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eMicrophone\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIncluded. Our photograph of the unit does not show one in the body, so ask before ordering if that matters to you\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eKeys\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThree mechanical, programmable, plus one rotary knob\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eConnection\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUSB-C. We have not confirmed a wireless mode, so do not buy it for one\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eIntended use\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVoice input to terminal coding agents\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eSKU\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFD-05b\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eHow does the Voice Pad compare?\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Voice Pad versus the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/whisper-key\"\u003eWhisper Key\u003c\/a\u003e: same job, different distance. The Whisper Key is handheld and works in a shared office because the microphone reaches your lips. The Voice Pad is desk-mounted and cheaper. In an open-plan office, buy the Whisper Key.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow is the Voice Pad different from the Whisper Key?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Whisper Key is handheld, so the microphone comes right up to your mouth and you can whisper. The Voice Pad sits on the desk, so you have to speak at normal volume.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eCan I use the other keys as macros?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes. Apart from the dictation key they behave as ordinary programmable mechanical macro keys.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat to know before buying\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt overlaps heavily with the Whisper Key, if you are only buying one voice device, buy that one.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShips in 1–2 days · delivers in 7–12, tracked.\u003c\/strong\u003e You get the tracking link the minute it exists. Free shipping over $75, thirty-day returns.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"futuredevice","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54527183094035,"sku":"FD-05b","price":79.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1001\/2842\/4211\/files\/fd-prod-voice-pad_2bd32242-84f2-4f42-9049-d2f2762effc9.jpg?v=1786044400"},{"product_id":"whisper-key","title":"Whisper Key","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTalking to your computer in an open-plan office is a social problem, not a technical one.\u003c\/strong\u003e This is a microphone you hold to your mouth so you can brief an agent at a whisper instead of typing the whole thing out.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat is the Whisper Key?\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA clear polycarbonate body you can see the whole circuit board through. A grey fur windscreen sits on a short stalk at the left edge beside a mesh microphone slot. Four keycaps run in a row, microphone, accept, reject, enter, with a small OLED window to their right and a metal toggle switch below it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat is the Whisper Key for?\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eDictating to a coding agent when other people are in the room. Typing prompts is slow, and talking to a laptop at conversational volume in an open-plan office is antisocial. Because the Whisper Key is handheld, the microphone comes up to your mouth instead of sitting across the desk, so you can drop to a whisper and still be understood.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eHow do you use the Whisper Key?\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePair the Whisper Key over Bluetooth. It presents itself as a keyboard, so there is nothing to install.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHold the microphone key and whisper your prompt. The OLED shows a live input level, so you can see it is hearing you.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRelease the key. The transcription is typed into the focused window exactly as if you had typed it yourself.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUse the accept and reject keys to wave a diff through or kill it, and enter to send.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhisper Key specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eKeys\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4: microphone (push-to-talk), accept, reject, enter\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eDisplay\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMonochrome OLED input-level window\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eConnection\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBluetooth; enumerates as a standard HID keyboard\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eControls\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHardware toggle switch\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eBody\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTransparent polycarbonate, internals visible\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eMicrophone\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMesh slot plus removable fur windscreen\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eSpeech level\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 20 dB, per the manufacturer\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eSKU\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFD-07\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eHow does the Whisper Key compare?\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Whisper Key and the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/voice-pad\"\u003eVoice Pad\u003c\/a\u003e solve the same problem differently. The Whisper Key is handheld, so you bring it to your mouth and it suits a shared room. The Voice Pad stays flat on the desk, which is cheaper and fine in a private office but louder in practice because you have to project. If you work around other people, buy the Whisper Key.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow quiet is the Whisper Key really?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe manufacturer rates usable recognition at about 20 dB, which is roughly the level of a whisper at arm's length. Someone at the next desk will hear that you are speaking but will not usually make out the words.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eDoes the Whisper Key need software installed?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo. It pairs over Bluetooth as a standard HID keyboard, so any operating system accepts it without a driver. The transcription is typed into whichever application has focus.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eDoes it work with Claude Code, Codex and other terminal agents?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes. Because it sends ordinary keystrokes rather than talking to an API, it works with any terminal, editor or agent TUI that accepts typed input.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWho should not buy the Whisper Key?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eAnyone who works alone in a private room. The whole premium is the handheld form factor that keeps you quiet, and in an empty office a desk microphone does the same job for less.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat to know before buying\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eRecognition accuracy depends on the speech engine your operating system or agent uses, not on the keypad itself. The manufacturer quotes 99%; that is their figure, not ours.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShips in 1–2 days · delivers in 7–12, tracked.\u003c\/strong\u003e You get the tracking link the minute it exists. Free shipping over $75, thirty-day returns.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"futuredevice","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54527183159571,"sku":"FD-07","price":87.9,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1001\/2842\/4211\/files\/fd-shot-whisper-key.jpg?v=1786044401"},{"product_id":"vibe-pad","title":"Vibe Pad","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBuying a good mic and a good macropad costs three times this.\u003c\/strong\u003e Buy this first, find out if you want either.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat is the Vibe Pad?\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA compact three-key mechanical macro pad sold with a separate clip-on microphone. The microphone is a separate accessory in the kit, not a module built into the pad.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat is the Vibe Pad for?\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eGetting a microphone for dictation and three keys for accept, reject and one habit of your own in one kit, without buying two full-size devices.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eHow do you use the Vibe Pad?\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConnect the pad following the included instructions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConnect the separate clip-on microphone to the device you use for dictation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMap the three keys to accept, reject and whatever else you repeat.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\u003ch2\u003eVibe Pad specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eKeys\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThree transparent mechanical, programmable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eMicrophone\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSeparate clip-on microphone included in the kit\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003ePublished connection details\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot independently verified; contact us before ordering if wireless operation is essential\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eSKU\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFD-11\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eHow does the Vibe Pad compare?\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Vibe Pad bundles cheaply but compromises on both halves. The \u003ca href=\"\/products\/whisper-key\"\u003eWhisper Key\u003c\/a\u003e is a far better microphone and the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/km16-pad\"\u003eKM16 Macropad\u003c\/a\u003e is a far better pad.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhat is included with the Vibe Pad?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe three-key pad, a separate clip-on microphone, and the included cable.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eIs the Vibe Pad good value?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt is the cheapest way to get both halves, but each half is weaker than buying them separately.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat to know before buying\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThree keys is three keys. If you want a full shortcut layer, choose the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/km16-pad\"\u003eKM16 Macropad\u003c\/a\u003e; if you want a microphone designed for whispering, choose the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/whisper-key\"\u003eWhisper Key\u003c\/a\u003e. We do not publish a battery-capacity or wireless claim for this kit because we have not independently verified either detail.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShips in 1–2 days · delivers in 7–12, tracked.\u003c\/strong\u003e You get the tracking link the minute it exists. Free shipping over $75, thirty-day returns.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"futuredevice","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54527183257875,"sku":"FD-11","price":59.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1001\/2842\/4211\/files\/fd-prod-vibe-pad_a6772883-ca4c-4a68-ad59-d87ecbd37602.jpg?v=1786044400"}],"url":"https:\/\/futuredevice.ai\/collections\/voice-dictation.oembed","provider":"Future Device","version":"1.0","type":"link"}