Voice to Text for Messages
The Messages app on Mac is where your personal conversations happen. Quick replies to friends, long updates to family, chaotic group chats that move faster than you can type. Blurt lets you respond by speaking instead of typing. Hold a button, say your message, release. Your words appear in the message field, properly punctuated, ready to send. Works everywhere in Messages — individual chats, group threads, SMS, and iMessage. No switching apps, no learning curve. $10/month or $99/year, with first 1,000 words free.
The Typing Problem
Quick replies break your concentration
You're focused on work when a message pops up from a friend. It's a simple question that deserves a quick answer. But typing that reply means switching mental contexts, finding the right words on a keyboard, and losing your train of thought. By the time you respond and get back to work, you've lost five minutes and your focus.
Long messages take forever to type
Sometimes you need to explain something properly. A friend asks for advice, your mom wants to know how the job interview went, someone needs directions to your place. You could say it in 30 seconds, but typing it out takes five minutes and three edits. So you send something shorter than what you meant, or worse, you put it off until later.
Group chats move faster than your fingers
The family group chat is planning a reunion. Messages are flying — dates, locations, who's bringing what. You start typing your response, but by the time you finish, three more messages have arrived and the conversation has moved on. Your carefully crafted reply arrives too late to matter.
Responding from your Mac while hands are busy
You're on a call with headphones on, eating lunch at your desk, or have your hands full. A message comes through on your Mac that needs a quick response. You could grab your phone and fumble with it, or you could wait until your hands are free. Either way, the reply is delayed.
SMS and iMessage from Mac is convenient but slow
Having your messages sync to your Mac is great — you can respond without picking up your phone. But typing on a keyboard still takes time, especially for casual conversation. The convenience of Mac Messages gets undermined by the friction of typing every reply.
How It Works
Blurt works with the Messages app on your Mac. Anywhere you can type, Blurt can insert your spoken words.
Hold your hotkey
Press your chosen shortcut. A small indicator appears showing Blurt is listening.
Speak your message
Say what you want to send, naturally. Blurt adds punctuation and capitalization automatically.
Release and send
Text appears in the message field. Check it if you want, then hit send.
Real Scenarios
Quick replies without breaking focus
You're deep in a work task when your partner texts asking what time you'll be home. Hold your hotkey, say 'Should be done around 6, maybe 6:30 if this takes longer than expected', release. Reply sent in 4 seconds without your eyes leaving your work. No context switch, no lost productivity.
Keeping up in fast-moving group chats
Your college friends are planning a trip. Messages are flying — suggestions, objections, jokes. Instead of typing and falling behind, hold the button and speak: 'I can do any weekend in March except the second one. Happy to drive if someone else books the Airbnb.' Your input lands while it's still relevant.
Telling stories without typing fatigue
Your mom asks how the date went. This needs more than 'it was good.' Hold the button and talk: 'It went really well actually. We went to that new Italian place downtown, shared a pizza, talked for three hours. Meeting again next week.' Genuine update delivered in 15 seconds instead of a two-minute typing session.
Giving detailed directions or instructions
A friend is coming over and needs directions from the highway. Hold and speak: 'Exit at Oak Street, go straight through two lights, turn left at the gas station, then it's the third house on the right with the blue door. Text me when you're close.' Complex directions, zero typos, sent in seconds.
Responding while multitasking
You're on a video call with your camera off when a message comes through from your sister. Quick response needed. Hold your hotkey, whisper your reply: 'In a meeting, will call you in an hour.' Sent without anyone on the call noticing, no typing sounds, no distraction.
Catching up on multiple conversations at once
You've been away from your Mac and there are five threads that need responses. Instead of spending 10 minutes typing out replies, you work through them with voice. Each response takes seconds instead of a minute. All caught up in under three minutes.
Writing thoughtful responses to serious conversations
A friend is going through a tough time and opened up over text. They deserve more than 'that sucks.' Hold the button and speak from the heart: 'I'm really sorry you're dealing with this. That's a lot to handle all at once. I'm here if you want to talk about it or just need a distraction.' Genuine support, delivered without the awkwardness of trying to type emotional responses.
Why Messages users choose Blurt over built-in dictation
| Blurt | macOS Dictation | |
|---|---|---|
| Activation | Single hotkey, instant start | Click microphone or double-tap Control key |
| Speed | Text appears in under 500ms | 2-3 second delay before transcription begins |
| Accuracy | Handles casual speech, slang, names naturally | Struggles with informal language and proper nouns |
| Punctuation | Automatic, natural punctuation | Requires speaking 'period' and 'comma' out loud |
| Reliability | Works consistently every time | Sometimes fails silently or stops mid-sentence |
Frequently Asked Questions
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