Droid Does??? Help fix Bluetooth and Voice Dialing!

[3devious]

Rumor has it that the Devour does support this. I am going to go prod our Devour users to test this...

be back in a bit...

 

[Gunner]

According to this Moto page, the Devour does support BT voice dialing: https://motorola-global-portal.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/40951/p_country_code/US

Now if we could just get them to do the same for us Droid owners.

 

[kenc3dan]

Yup, the Devour on 1.6 with Blur does BT voice-dial.
No multitouch and a 320x480 screen but it's got something we Droid nitwits don't. Bogus.
Motorola Devour (Verizon Wireless)

 

[William T Riker]

The Milestone got it on their 2.1 update ,
"- Bluetooth support: support for Bluetooth headset multi function for initiating voice calls"
Android 2.1 Now Available for Motorola Milestone in Europe - Will roll-out until mid-April - Softpedia

.. why didn't the Droid?

 

[3devious]

Please tell me that the Milestone is not running Blur.

 

[Gunner]

The Milestone doesn't run Blur. I'm currently trying to find out how the Milestone is implementing this. I'm prodding Matt on the Moto support forums for answers. I can only guess that they added Nuance vSuite to the Milestone update. That's the app that gives the Devour BT voice dialing.

The potential good news is that maybe some enterprising devs can rip out the code or app from the Milestone update that allows BT VD and make it available for our Droids.

 

[icecold]

The Milestone doesn't run Blur. I'm currently trying to find out how the Milestone is implementing this. I'm prodding Matt on the Moto support forums for answers. I can only guess that they added Nuance vSuite to the Milestone update. That's the app that gives the Devour BT voice dialing.

The potential good news is that maybe some enterprising devs can rip out the code or app from the Milestone update that allows BT VD and make it available for our Droids.

Hopefully, it does... Unfortunately, after searching through the Motorola website, it appears the Milestone only got a...voice dialing app...with no mention of bluetooth. You would think they would be displaying information like that as a huge neon banner, taking up three quarters of a page.

Again, it would be nice if they got it, but it doesn't appear to look that way.

 

[Gunner]

See this page: https://motorola-global-en-uk.custh...enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=43736&p_topview=1

Under "Other Enhancements": "Bluetooth support : support for Bluetooth headset multi function for initiating voice calls"

Also see: https://rsddownload.motorola.com/do...ade_Android_2.1__March_22_2010_v2.0_FINAL.pdf

Edit: PDF file attached to post.

Unless they pulled it at the last second, it's supposed to be there.

Skip to 2:20 in the vid below (in Italian). There is a proper voice command app added (like MS Sync). The question is whether that works via BT headset.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5SIM0AoRk0

 

[3devious]

OK. I'll make my hubby try it out this evening.

 

[Gunner]

Does your hubby have a Milestone?

 

[3devious]

No, but the car MS Sync, I am just hoping that they didn't take it out. It won't help me with my headset, but I will take what I can get.

There really wasn't a reason for it not work before, it works with the EnV Touch, Dare, Samsung Glyde but not with our Droids. I tried to just do that from the headset and no go. You know, the more I am typing about this, the less sense it is starting to make...

With my headset, I have a but in my app tray to call my husband and every thing works fine. The phone book is stored in the MS Sync part of my car so it should just call the person, android 2.1 or not... I am not sure what is wrong then... Well, I'll try it anyway this evening.

 

[Gunner]

3devious - I think you're confused.

What I'm talking about is an update to the Milestone - not the Droid. And this has nothing to do w/ MS Sync. We're talking about Android 2.1 on the Milestone (the Euro version of the Droid), and an update that might allow BT voice dialing w/ voice prompts - similar to the way MS Sync works.

 

[icecold]

Skip to 2:20 in the vid below (in Italian). There is a proper voice command app added (like MS Sync). The question is whether that works via BT headset.

Well, it appears to be semi handsfree. He still had to initiate the app, and go through like multiple steps before he finally got to the point where the phone dialed out (with the nice blue background).

Or at least, that is how it appeared to me since I do not know Italian. So, that is basically what we have now with the voice dialer?

 

[Gunner]

Yes he started the app from the phone. Then the phone prompted him w/ questions to make sure it was dialing the correct number - which is how all BT voice dialers work. What we don't know is if he could have started it via BT.

We don't have anything like that that comes standard on the Droid. The app in the vid is similar to Voice Dialer HF in the Market. But VD HF can't be initiated from a BT headset. That's the key. According to the Moto info, the Milestone 2.1 has the ability to initiate a call from a BT headset.

 

[icecold]

Yes he started the app from the phone. Then the phone prompted him w/ questions to make sure it was dialing the correct number - which is how all BT voice dialers work. What we don't know is if he could have started it via BT.

We don't have anything like that that comes standard on the Droid. The app in the vid is similar to Voice Dialer HF in the Market. But VD HF can't be initiated from a BT headset. That's the key. According to the Moto info, the Milestone 2.1 has the ability to initiate a call from a BT headset.

I understand completely. If it was able to be initiated directly from the headset, I am sure it would have been demonstrated in the video.

It is initiating the call, technically, via the BT headset, but only after you open up the app and go through 5 or 6 steps. It should be a simple step process. You say, "call Jane mobile," and the phone responds with, "call Jane?". You say yes, and the call goes through.

Certain BT manufacturers are even offering specific apps to help with the voice dailing process. The Jawbone Icon is one. Yet, even with that installed, I cannot make an outgoing call from my phone.

Long story short, I do not see the video and information as some missing link between true BT voice dialing on the Droid.

 

[Gunner]

I wouldn't assume the reviewer had the foresight to include BT voice dialing in the review, nor would I assume that he owns a BT headset. Have no idea. I wasn't implying by posting that vid, that the app shown is capable of BT initiation, nor that the app implies BT VD is possible on the Droid. I just found it interesting because it is doing exactly what we want - minus initiation by BT.

Let's be clear - it is not initiating a call via any headset (not in that vid). He is starting up a Voice Command app in the app drawer.

BT voice dialing is this --
- Tap the call button on your headset (you don't touch the phone)
- Phone wakes up and says 'Listening' or beeps
- You say call Jane mobile
- Phone asks you 'Call Jane Mobile?'
- You say 'Yes'
- Phone dials #
You never touch the phone.

The point of me posting all this info is to show that the 2.1 Milestone (per Motorola info) has BT initiated voice dialing, and an app that does what BT voice dialing requires. The Droid is identical hardware to the Milestone, runs 2.1, and thus should be capable of BT voice dialing in identical fashion as the Milestone.

 

[icecold]

I wouldn't assume the reviewer had the foresight to include BT voice dialing in the review, nor would I assume that he owns a BT headset. Have no idea. I wasn't implying by posting that vid, that the app shown is capable of BT initiation, nor that the app implies BT VD is possible on the Droid. I just found it interesting because it is doing exactly what we want - minus initiation by BT.

The poster of the video WAS using a BT headset. If you look at the video, when the call in progress screen comes up, the background is blue, versus the typical green background. Whenever the voice audio is being directed through the BT, the call screen background changes from the standard green to the blue.

While I didn't sit and watch the entire video (based off the press release you posted), I would assume he would include the BT voice dialing in the review. There are only, what, about ten items listed on the feature list? So, for the video to be over 7 minutes long, I am guessing he went over everything in it.

 

[CRPercodani]

If your car doesn't have bluetooth support you can always get a bluetooth speaker with built in LCD that supports phonebook transfers. I know walmart sells 2 of these for about 50 bucks, one mount of your steering wheel and the other to your visor. The steering wheel mounted one looks pretty good and has arrow keys allowing you to navigate through your contact/missed calls without taking your hands off the wheel.

 

[barry99705]

If your car doesn't have bluetooth support you can always get a bluetooth speaker with built in LCD that supports phonebook transfers. I know walmart sells 2 of these for about 50 bucks, one mount of your steering wheel and the other to your visor. The steering wheel mounted one looks pretty good and has arrow keys allowing you to navigate through your contact/missed calls without taking your hands off the wheel.

A lot of the newer gps units have handsfree capabilities as well. That's what I use my Tom Tom for.

 

[3devious]

We have Sync in my car and I am able to use voice dialing with our Droids but I don't think it really addresses the problem because of a couple of things:
1. When you connect the Droid via bluetooth, it asks if you want to upload your phonebook. When you do this, it has the numbers stored for Sync.
2. When you hit the phone button, it asks you what you want to do and you tell it by voice that you're making a call. Then you tell it who you're calling (it prompts for which of that contact's numbers you want to use.)

Sync did all of the work... I guess the only thing the update did was accept the input? I don't understand why that wouldn't have worked before. (I worry that my initial test with 2.0.1 was flawed because I let my husband use the Droid + car unsupervised. I have no way of knowing if it worked before.)

Anyone know of some voice command software so that I can try it with my headset?

 

[Gunner]

3devious - Yes Sync in your car is doing all the work, not the Droid. Which should be a good solution for you, but isn't really what this thread is about. We're after true BT VD handled by the Droid so that any BT headset can be used to initiate a call. Currently, this is not possible. There are, however, a few headsets on the market that work the same way your Sync does - they have built-in software that handles the call initiation & stores phone numbers.

 

[Gunner]

The poster of the video WAS using a BT headset. If you look at the video, when the call in progress screen comes up, the background is blue, versus the typical green background. Whenever the voice audio is being directed through the BT, the call screen background changes from the standard green to the blue.

While I didn't sit and watch the entire video (based off the press release you posted), I would assume he would include the BT voice dialing in the review. There are only, what, about ten items listed on the feature list? So, for the video to be over 7 minutes long, I am guessing he went over everything in it.

I think you're mistaken. I think he had BT turned on, but I don't believe he was using a headset or had a headset connected. If you watch again, you'll see the screen briefly turns blue but then turns green for the remainder of the call. He then presses the end call button w/ his thumb. If I knew enough Italian I'd ask him to redo the review showing a BT headset and how it works w/ the Droid (maybe I'll use Translate and do that).

Anyway, the whole point of me posting that was to show that there may be hope for Droid owners to get a working solution for BT voice dialing, since Moto has essentially said they won't be providing us w/ a solution.

 

[3devious]

I suspected as much. While the onus should be on Google to give the Android phones a capability that even "feature phones" seem to have yet these smart phones do not, would anyone settle for an app that did this?

 

[Clementine_3]

would anyone settle for an app that did this?

I settled for an app that does this. I bought VoiceDialer HF for $4 and and very happy with it. Oh, I shouldn't have had to buy it and I shouldn't have to be happy with it but I did and I am!
The built in voice dial does not work when there is background noise (in the car) and putting contacts on the home screen was not much help...hands free means hands free!
I have screenmodewidget installed so just hit the camera button to wake the phone when it's in the dock (I hit 'home' as soon as I dock it, I hate the car/navigation stupid screen). Then I hit the Voice Dialer HF icon (docked on all screens w/HelixLauncher) and tell it what to do. It talks back and connects. It's the best solution out there for me right now.

 

[kenc3dan]

Based on the manual (page 138) I think the Incredible will have Bluetooth-initiated voice dialing.
Manual states that it supports the Handsfree Bluetooth profile.

EDIT: I emailed Verizon and they confirmed, in email and voicemail, that the Incredible will NOT have Bluetooth voice dialing.