SayIt
A native macOS menu bar dictation app that turns speech into text with a single hotkey, local-first transcription, and a workflow designed to feel as fast as a system utility.
The Opportunity
SayIt started from a simple productivity gap: system dictation and cloud transcription tools either interrupted writing flow, added friction, or raised privacy concerns for everyday capture.
The goal was to build a menu bar utility that feels immediate and native on macOS, letting users trigger recording from anywhere, transcribe quickly, and paste the result without breaking focus.
Product Surface and Core Controls
The product centers on a compact popover with a single primary action, microphone selection, transcription engine settings, and lightweight status messaging. The interface stays quiet until needed, matching the expectation of a utility rather than a traditional full-window app.
One-Toggle Recording Flow
Interaction design was intentionally reduced to a reliable toggle: start recording, stop and transcribe, then copy the result automatically. Supporting states like recording duration, audio level, slow transcription hints, and HUD feedback help the app stay understandable without becoming visually heavy.
Device Resilience and Ecosystem Fit
A notable detail in the product strategy was microphone reliability. Beyond local speech capture and Whisper integration, the app accounts for device changes and supports Continuity microphone handoff, which makes the workflow more dependable in clamshell or external-monitor setups.
Outcome
The project shipped as a real macOS product with downloadable releases, a polished onboarding flow, localized strings, and a tested codebase spanning app control, permissions, audio capture, and transcription behavior.
For the portfolio, SayIt adds a stronger example of end-to-end product execution: identifying a focused problem, shaping the interaction model, and delivering a native tool that connects UX decisions directly to production implementation.