Voice Dialing App

[Starbucks]

The Voice Dialing program in the phone is a total joke.. You have to have the phone in your hand, activate the voice dialing, speak your request, then manually confirm your request on the phone its self.. I thought the whole purpose of the voice dialing feature was for hands free capabilities.. The way this program currently works renders it utterly useless..

I have a Cardo Q2 setup for my motorcycle helmet.. which has a bluetooth phone link setup in it.. Its basically a bluetooth headset thats integrated into the helmet.. Everything works fine with the G1 phone except the voice dialing..


Does anyone know of a Voice Dialing app that basically revamps the factory program so that you can use voice dialing w/ your headset? I searched and searched but couldn't find any real answer to this question..

 

[punkzanyj]

The Voice Dialing program in the phone is a total joke.. You have to have the phone in your hand, activate the voice dialing, speak your request, then manually confirm your request on the phone its self.. I thought the whole purpose of the voice dialing feature was for hands free capabilities.. The way this program currently works renders it utterly useless..

I have a Cardo Q2 setup for my motorcycle helmet.. which has a bluetooth phone link setup in it.. Its basically a bluetooth headset thats integrated into the helmet.. Everything works fine with the G1 phone except the voice dialing..


Does anyone know of a Voice Dialing app that basically revamps the factory program so that you can use voice dialing w/ your headset? I searched and searched but couldn't find any real answer to this question..

My guess is that this is a bluetooth issue, not a problem with the programing of voicedial.
Because none of the other bluetooth profiles (stereo, data transfer, etc) are installed/activated for the G1, a headset can't do anything more than answer,hangup,volume up, volume down. Using BT voicedial probably requires bluetooth functionality that we don't have yet.

From what I understand the other bluetooth profiles aren't available because they have security flaws that have to be addressed first.

Someone far smarter than me probably knows for sure, but that's just my guess.

 

[Starbucks]

Makes sence.. but... then what is the point of the voice dialing feature? its easier and faster to go through your phone book..

 

[ram100987]

No its not a bluetooth issue, because even if there is no bluetooth devices connected to the phone it still requires you to manually select/comfirm the voice dial results before it calls.

 

[DulcetTone]

I am working on a voice dialer app, and am striving to ensure that I include features that matter to voice dialing users.

That said, I am pretty ignorant of Bluetooth headsets and how people use them with other phones. From what I gather, you most want to be able to have the voice dialer listen to you when a button on the headset is pressed (ideally, even if the phone is asleep at the time?) and you want the app to not always require a visual/tactile confirmation.

I have partial coverage of the latter feature: you can set a confidence threshold for what is "sure enough" to just pull the trigger without confirmation. I do not at present have verbal confirmation dialogs, but am keeping them in mind.

I'd appreciate a heads-up from anyone here when they feel Android has released code that will enable the BT button-press triggering, and I will certainly look into adding that to my app as a high priority.

tone

 

[jasnmb]

it is pretty stupid the way it works on Android. Even with my old Moto Razr, I could hit a button on my BT headset, say the name I wanted to dial, I would hear a confirmation, and the phone would dial ... all without me even having to touch or look at my phone.

 

[DannyNYC]

Ughh I know, the voice dialer is wayyy off. I was really dispointed, I am a driver and have to use the VD all the time.

I have been checking around and couldnt find another VD anywhere, hopefully its improved with 2.1, whenever that comes out.

 

[K-Rizzle]

The voice dialer on my hero NEVER works. I means I have screamed into the phone out of frustration, and most times I get nothing, not even an attempt to look up a number. Sometimes after a minute it comes up with 'dial 862-5946' or some weird number that isn't even in my phone book or call log.

 

[K-Rizzle]

I am working on a voice dialer app, and am striving to ensure that I include features that matter to voice dialing users.

Yours is MUCH better than the built in VD on the hero, at least IMO it is. Thanks!

 

[ghdavis]

My guess is that this is a bluetooth issue, not a problem with the programing of voicedial.
Because none of the other bluetooth profiles (stereo, data transfer, etc) are installed/activated for the G1, a headset can't do anything more than answer,hangup,volume up, volume down. Using BT voicedial probably requires bluetooth functionality that we don't have yet.

From what I understand the other bluetooth profiles aren't available because they have security flaws that have to be addressed first.

Someone far smarter than me probably knows for sure, but that's just my guess.

I wish it were a mistake - a $500 phone, from Motorola no less, that DOES NOT have a "Bluetooth Voice activated Dialing App", hard & sad to believe...

 

[mjschmidt]

See this thread for the work-around I've been using: http://androidforums.com/motorola-droid/17872-voice-dialing.html#post135403

 

[nonozor]

Hi,

There is a new easy and efficient app for voice dialing : Smart Vocal Dialer.

Enjoy

 

[mjschmidt]

@nonozr: Why does it require data or WiFi to work? That's ******ed. Also, it only works on 2.1 or up, and there are a lot of us still stuck on 1.5 or 1.6.

I don't have a data plan for my phone, and obviously I can't get WiFi in my car. Regardless, why would a voice dialer app need internet access to work? If it's for ads, why do I have to pay for the app? If not for ads, why the need for data? Seems suspicious to me.

Smart Voice Dialer - Android app on AppBrain

I think I'll stay with TopVoiceControl which will search my WHOLE phone (not just contacts), works with my bluetooth headset, and has voice confirmation for when there are multiple options (Next, OK, etc).

 

[A.Nonymous]

I am working on a voice dialer app, and am striving to ensure that I include features that matter to voice dialing users.

That said, I am pretty ignorant of Bluetooth headsets and how people use them with other phones. From what I gather, you most want to be able to have the voice dialer listen to you when a button on the headset is pressed (ideally, even if the phone is asleep at the time?) and you want the app to not always require a visual/tactile confirmation.

I have partial coverage of the latter feature: you can set a confidence threshold for what is "sure enough" to just pull the trigger without confirmation. I do not at present have verbal confirmation dialogs, but am keeping them in mind.

I'd appreciate a heads-up from anyone here when they feel Android has released code that will enable the BT button-press triggering, and I will certainly look into adding that to my app as a high priority.

tone

On my Windows Mobile phone (and every other phone I've used) Voice Dialing worked as following:

You pressed a button on your BT headset.
The headset either beeped at you to indicate it was active or a voice said something like, "Say a command."
You would say something like "Call Mom" or "Call 555 1234".
The phone would either immediately call or it would repeat back "Call Mom at cell?" or "Call 555 1234?"
You say yes or no and the phone would dial.

When the phone rings, the headset beeps in your ear, you press the button on the headset and the phone answers. I would love (and would consider paying for) some sort of caller id system here as I normally don't have my phone in my hand where I can see who the caller is when my headset goes off. I'd love something like the phone saying "Call from Mom. Answer or Ignore?" I could then press the button on the headset, say "Ignore" and it would go to my voicemail.

I am under the impression (and I may be dead wrong here) that Android has introduced this functionality in Froyo.

I wish it were a mistake - a $500 phone, from Motorola no less, that DOES NOT have a "Bluetooth Voice activated Dialing App", hard & sad to believe...

What's sadder is that they advertise the phone (well the Incredible anyway) as having Handsfree dialing. It's a joke. It's not handsfree if I have to activate the app manually and confirm my selection manually. It's my only real gripe with my DInc. I am reserving judgement until Froyo comes out to see if and how they fix this. My beloved BT headset got hit by a car recently so I have to go by a new one at some point anyway.

 

[nonozor]

@nonozr: Why does it require data or WiFi to work? That's ******ed. Also, it only works on 2.1 or up, and there are a lot of us still stuck on 1.5 or 1.6.

I don't have a data plan for my phone, and obviously I can't get WiFi in my car. Regardless, why would a voice dialer app need internet access to work? If it's for ads, why do I have to pay for the app? If not for ads, why the need for data? Seems suspicious to me.

Smart Voice Dialer - Android app on AppBrain

I think I'll stay with TopVoiceControl which will search my WHOLE phone (not just contacts), works with my bluetooth headset, and has voice confirmation for when there are multiple options (Next, OK, etc).

Sorry but there's no adds in Smart Voice Dialer (V2 : Smart Voice Dialer 2 - Android app on AppBrain ).
The wifi is not necessary for the app to operate.
But data connection is necessary because the software use Google Search by Voice, and this one use the net.

 

[nonozor]

Direct call option added on Smart Voice Dialer 2.

Note that this app works in any languages (not only english).

 

[mjschmidt]

Sorry but there's no adds in Smart Voice Dialer (V2 : Smart Voice Dialer 2 - Android app on AppBrain ).
The wifi is not necessary for the app to operate.
But data connection is necessary because the software use Google Search by Voice, and this one use the net.

Then... I guess it's better to stick with TopVoiceControl which doesn't require a data connection to work.

 

[moe_12345]

Hmm, interesting to note that most of the reviews on AppBrain rate TopVoiceControl ad being rubbish. What's been your experience?

 

[steelersmb]

Hmm, interesting to note that most of the reviews on AppBrain rate TopVoiceControl ad being rubbish. What's been your experience?

Why would so many people use the word rubbish? That is not that common of a word. I think the same person posted those reviews.

 

[mjschmidt]

Hmm, interesting to note that most of the reviews on AppBrain rate TopVoiceControl ad being rubbish. What's been your experience?

Well, unless it's a newer version of TVC that I don't have (still on Android 1.5) I can say that my experience has been fine.

I have TVC set up so that I can initiate calls hands-free from my bluetooth headset. I press the button on my headset, TVC launches, and say what I want. It shows me the results. If there is only one result, it dials automatically. If there are multiple results I can say "Next" or "Back" "Yes" "No" and so on to get the one I want. The easiest trick it to name certain numbers you call often with a word that is easy to pronounce and unlike anything else on your phone, that way you are most likely to have it be the only result.

Also, I don't need data to use it.

Now, I won't say that because my experience is fine that all others are lying or wrong. Technology is a funny thing. You'd think it should work the same way all the time, but sadly that is not the case. It is certainly possible that some people have had bad experiences with it. I can only tell you about mine.

What I can say with certainty, though, is that if I can choose between an app that requires access to data/wifi, and one that doesn't, i will choose the one that doesn't.

 

[Kreiger]

Well, unless it's a newer version of TVC that I don't have (still on Android 1.5) I can say that my experience has been fine.

I have TVC set up so that I can initiate calls hands-free from my bluetooth headset. I press the button on my headset, TVC launches, and say what I want. It shows me the results. If there is only one result, it dials automatically. If there are multiple results I can say "Next" or "Back" "Yes" "No" and so on to get the one I want. The easiest trick it to name certain numbers you call often with a word that is easy to pronounce and unlike anything else on your phone, that way you are most likely to have it be the only result.

Also, I don't need data to use it.

Now, I won't say that because my experience is fine that all others are lying or wrong. Technology is a funny thing. You'd think it should work the same way all the time, but sadly that is not the case. It is certainly possible that some people have had bad experiences with it. I can only tell you about mine.

What I can say with certainty, though, is that if I can choose between an app that requires access to data/wifi, and one that doesn't, i will choose the one that doesn't.

Hypothetically, if you DID have data plan on your phone (unlimited no less), would it using data still be a deterrent? If so, why?

 

[mjschmidt]

Hypothetically, if you DID have data plan on your phone (unlimited no less), would it using data still be a deterrent? If so, why?

Because there will always be occasions where I can not access data or WiFi, perhaps I am not in range of either, or I just plain don't want to use them.

Unless I am using an App that needs to show me something from the internet, like video, a web page, etc, then it shouldn't require data/WiFi.

I installed the Canadian Yellow Pages app, and discovered it required data/WiFi to work. LAME! Uninstalled. If I have data or WiFi, I don't need the Yellow pages app. It's the same with Google Translate.

An app like the Yellow Pages app should theoretically be able to use a database that can reside on my phone (on internal memory or the microSD card) especially now that the newer phones have so much memory. That makes it truly useful because I can use it no matter where I am.

Google Maps, for example, requires a data/WiFi connection, however there are map apps that _don't_ require a connection. You download the map areas you want to your SD card to load them into the app. Connection unecessary.

On top of all that, I don't like the idea of an app connecting to the internet, unless it's to serve ads. I'm okay with ads. Otherwise, what's it doing?

 

[boromir]

I am working on a voice dialer app, and am striving to ensure that I include features that matter to voice dialing users.

That said, I am pretty ignorant of Bluetooth headsets and how people use them with other phones. From what I gather, you most want to be able to have the voice dialer listen to you when a button on the headset is pressed (ideally, even if the phone is asleep at the time?) and you want the app to not always require a visual/tactile confirmation.

I have partial coverage of the latter feature: you can set a confidence threshold for what is "sure enough" to just pull the trigger without confirmation. I do not at present have verbal confirmation dialogs, but am keeping them in mind.

I'd appreciate a heads-up from anyone here when they feel Android has released code that will enable the BT button-press triggering, and I will certainly look into adding that to my app as a high priority.

tone

Hi,
Another important feature of such an application (at least for non-english users) would be recognition of pre-recorded voice tags associated with contacts, like Cyberon Speed Dial for Windows Mobile.

 

[jacquesschiddt]

Cyberon Voice Speed Dial

I've tried the thing that came with Android and I've tried Vlingo...but frankly, they're both singing from the same, overcomplicated hymn sheet. When I am driving, I want to press ONE BUTTON...SAY A NAME...and...SPEAK TO THAT PERSON.

Cyberon Voice Speed Dial lets you record your own voice, to correspond with each of your contacts... e.g. If you have a friend named Fred Bloggs and Fred has a mobile and a work and a home number, you record a clip for each..."Fred Bloggs at work" (record it to the work number) and hey presto...it dials Fred Bloggs at work. Simple and very, very useable. Thanks for trying, Vlingo...but maybe in 200 years' time, cyber voice-recognition will be up to the task but as for now...when I need it...I choose Cyberon Voice Speed Dial...because it dials people when I want it to dial people.

One caveat...I haven't tried it linked to bluetooth yet. Fingers crossed...

 

[qncogi]

Cyberon Voice Speed Dial

I've tried the thing that came with Android and I've tried Vlingo...but frankly, they're both singing from the same, overcomplicated hymn sheet. When I am driving, I want to press ONE BUTTON...SAY A NAME...and...SPEAK TO THAT PERSON.

Cyberon Voice Speed Dial lets you record your own voice, to correspond with each of your contacts... e.g. If you have a friend named Fred Bloggs and Fred has a mobile and a work and a home number, you record a clip for each..."Fred Bloggs at work" (record it to the work number) and hey presto...it dials Fred Bloggs at work. Simple and very, very useable. Thanks for trying, Vlingo...but maybe in 200 years' time, cyber voice-recognition will be up to the task but as for now...when I need it...I choose Cyberon Voice Speed Dial...because it dials people when I want it to dial people.

One caveat...I haven't tried it linked to bluetooth yet. Fingers crossed...

Owned a C902-I changed,bought Xperia Ray. In the car Sony HCB 400 handsfree installed. It worked with the old mobile and not working with the new. The main problem is that I cant record my voice commands VoiceSpeedDial-no default possibility for voice dialing in the NEW Sony mobiles why? - HCB doesnt send my command via bluetooth, mobile has to "hear" it and its microphone too sensitive. HCBfirmware? Bluetotth version? ROM? Please help.