NearSpeak is an interesting Near Field Communication (NFC) app for your Windows Phone 8 device that lets you record voice messages and store them on NFC tags.
There are a couple of neat aspects to NearSpeak. First, NFC tags typically lack the storage space to hold audio files. To record your voice, NearSpeak uses speech recognition to convert your spoken word into text. When played back, the text on the NFC tag is converted back to audio through NearSpeak's speech files.
The other neat thing is that messages can be automatically translated to the recipient's Windows Phone language. You'll need to purchase the NearSpeak translation packs and these packs range from $1.99 for 100 translated tags up to $4.99 for 350 translations. The cost is to help cover the web service used for the translation.
The only downside (and it's hard to call it a downside) is that you have NearSpeak installed on your Windows Phone to listen to the messages. If you happen to not have NearSpeak installed, the tag will send your Windows Phone to the Windows Phone Store where you can download the free app and listen to the message.
I can see NearSpeak coming in handy if you need to leave voice messages for your kids, wife or significant other when a hand written note won't cut it. It could be an easy way to leave business notes to colleagues or just as a reminder to yourself.
NearSpeak is a neat app that highlights the capabilities NFC brings to our Windows Phone and was the 1st runner up in the Lumia Geek 8-Week Challenge a few months ago.
Again, NearSpeak is a free app for your Windows Phone 8 device that you can find here in the Windows Phone Store.
