How we shaped speech history

For more than 70 years, we have driven the evolution of voice-driven technology — setting milestones that continue to redefine voice capture and dictation. Our legacy is built on innovation, precision, and a relentless pursuit of smarter, more intuitive solutions. 

A male doctor in a white coat walks through a hospital corridor while speaking into a handheld voice recorder; two medical staff members walk behind him.

2026

Launch of SpeechLive Health AI Assistant

Introduction to the new AI assistant transforming clinical documentation by automatically generating accurate summaries, multi-speaker transcripts, and actionable insights—saving time and reducing administrative burden.

Physician wearing a Philips SpeechMike Ambient performing prenatal ultrasound imaging

2025

Philips SpeechMike Ambient

Introduction to the new SpeechMike Wearable AI Assistant designed to transform clinical documentation by reducing administrative burden, improving accuracy, and giving clinicians more time for patient care.

2025

SpeechLive AI Assistant

Launch of new AI-powered SpeechLive Assistant, transforming not only speech into text, but real results, such as summaries, insights and more.

A female doctor sits at a desk with medical scans displayed on a computer monitor and speaks into a dictation microphone while reviewing documents.

2021

SpeechLive Speech recognition feature

Launch of a new speech recognition flat-rate package for SpeechLive users, offering predictable costs, unlimited flexibility, and simplified budgeting.

two puzzle pieces symbolizing a union of companies

2021

Acquisition of 4voice

Acquisition of major German voice technology reseller 4voice to strengthen our market position and leadership in professional dictation and speech-to-text solutions.

A woman in a business outfit stands on an escalator in a modern glass building, holding a dictation microphone and speaking into it.

2020

Software as a service (SaaS)

All-encompassing move to provide all dictation and transcription solutions as a service. 

A radiologist dictating using a speechmike looking at an xray

2017

Philips SpeechMike Premium Air

Introducing the first wireless Philips SpeechMike Premium Air Dictation Microphone—offering maximum freedom of movement, seamless connectivity, and outstanding recording accuracy.

A man in a business suit sits at an office desk with a laptop, holding a voice recorder while a woman standing next to him hands over a red folder

2016

Philips SpeechAir

Launch of Philips SpeechAir – first portable Philips dictation recorder with a WiFi function.
 

Laptop, phone and smart watch with Philips SpeechLive on their screen

2014

Philips SpeechLive

Introducing the first Philips SpeechLive cloud dictation solution—streamlining documentation, reducing turnaround time, and boosting workflow efficiency.

A man in a shirt and tie is sitting at a desk, reviewing notes while his voice recorder sits in a docking station next to his laptop.

2013

Philips PocketMemo 8000

Launch of the all new Philips PocketMemo 8000 series.
 

A man in a business suit sits at a desk in a bright office, speaking into a handheld dictation microphone while viewing transcription software displayed on a large computer monitor.

2007

Philips SpeechExec Enterprise

Launch of the first version of SpeechExec Enterprise dictation workflow solution.

A woman wearing a headset is sitting at a desk in a modern office, typing on a computer while transcribing text displayed on the screen.

2005

Philips SpeechExec

Launch of the first version of SpeechExec dictation and transcription software.
 

voice recorder with a CD

2003

VoiceTracer

Introduction of the first digital VoiceTracer audio recorder for note taking.

2001

Digital Pocket Memo 9300

Integrated modular digital dictation hardware and software solutions for professional use: portable Digital Pocket Memo 9300 launched.
 

2000

The 100,000,000th Mini-Cassette

The 100,000,000th Mini-Cassette manufactured.

1997

Philips SpeechMike

Launch of first digital dictation microphone with PC navigation - Philips SpeechMike

Lady using an ld pocketmemo dictation recorder

1995

Philips dictation and SpeechNote

Launch of first Philips dictation and transcription workflow software SpeechNote.

1991

Digital dictation system Voice System 4000

Launch of digital dictation system Voice System 4000, which rapidly becomes a standard in hospitals worldwide

1966

First Mini-Cassette invented

First Mini-Cassette invented (industry standard since decades).

transcriptionist lady checking out

1957

First cassette-based dictation machine

First cassette-based dictation machine produced.

old poster with a dictation machine and transcriptionist

1954

First dictation machine produced

Philips Speech Processing Solutions founded in Vienna, Austria and the first dictation machine produced.