Show HN: TongueType – Local, privacy-focused Whisper dictation for macOS (tonguetype.app)

TongueType, a new privacy-focused dictation application for macOS, allows users to transcribe their speech into text with remarkable speed and ease. Utilizing OpenAI’s Whisper model, TongueType enables rapid dictation for various needs—whether composing emails, transcribing meetings, or jotting down code comments—by simply holding a hotkey, speaking, and releasing. Notably, the app operates entirely offline on Apple Silicon devices, ensuring user privacy since no audio data is sent to the cloud or processed externally. This innovation is particularly significant for the AI/ML community as it demonstrates the power of local AI processing, leveraging advanced speech recognition while addressing concerns over data privacy and security. TongueType supports transcription in 12 languages and features auto-detection, making it versatile for multilingual users. Its straightforward design and local functionality make it an appealing alternative for those with typing challenges and a practical tool for anyone seeking to enhance their productivity without the encumbrances of subscriptions or cloud-based systems.