A new recognition model never installs without asking

Until now, when we published a better recognition model, the app downloaded it on its own: about 600 MB, with no warning. We promised a confirmation window when we built that. From today it exists.

What the app does now

When a new model is available, the app shows a window with two buttons: Update and Not now. The window says how big the download is and that the app keeps working on the current model until you update. You do not need to answer quickly, and nothing stops working while you think.

We made some choices on purpose:

• The window never appears while you are working. It waits if you are dictating, running the secretary or showing live subtitles.
• It comes up about five seconds after launch, or when you open the Recognition section in Settings, under Components.
• It appears at most once per launch.
• After you press Not now, the app waits a week before asking again.
• After the second Not now, it never asks again about that version. If we publish a newer one, the count starts from zero.

The buttons have no keyboard shortcuts. During testing, a stray Enter pressed in another window a moment earlier agreed to a 600 MB download by accident. Now you have to click.

What you can always do yourself

The “Update model” button stays in Settings, in Components under Recognition. If you pressed Not now twice and changed your mind, the button is still there. If you press Update and quit the app halfway, the download continues at the next launch without asking again.

The one exception

The very first model installs without asking. Without a recognition model there is nothing to dictate with, even in the free mode, so asking would only get in the way. This applies only when no model is installed at all.

Does it send anything new?

No. The question uses the same pointer to the current model that the app already read, at most once a day. The app does not send anything about you. Your answers are stored in the app’s settings on your Mac, so clearing the model cache does not bring the question back.

For the full list of what the app sends and when, see what leaves your Mac.