Voice Commands: Still useful? or a Novelty?

[ArmchairBear]

I just recently got the Droid MAXX, and I've been testing out different voice commands. So far they seem moderately useful. Not having to touch the phone at all to give a voice command seems pretty awesome so far (I'm using a trusted bluetooth device to keep my phone unlocked).

I'm curious if folks out there with Moto X phones or the new Droids, who've had their phones for a while still use touchless controls and/or voice commands on a regular basis.

When I first read about the X8 computing platform, I thought the contextual cores were a very good idea, and that it would catch on with other manufacturers, but now, I'm not so sure. (well, really it's too soon to tell).

Also, for people with non-motorola phones, do you find Google Now voice commands still useful?

I'll use it to send a text message once in a while when I don't feel like typing. The speech-to-text conversion/recognition is fairly good I think.

I do appreciate how well voice commands works over all. Honestly, even if I don't use it often, I like it being there when I want to use it.

 

[codesplice]

I'm generally not one to talk at my electronic devices, but in the rare instances where I want/need to I like having the option. And, as you mentioned, the Google Now voice actions do work quite well.

 

[Thom]

I moved the tread to the forum dedicated to discussing applications.

... Thom

 

[ArmchairBear]

Yeah, I'm generally a quiet person and don't speak a whole lot. But just fact that Google Now voice commands are there and they work well, I'll end up using it.

I wonder if I'll use it even more since my Droid MAXX makes it even more convenient to use it.

 

[Goodspike]

I use them mainly for navigation, although usually within Maps, so technically that's not a voice command, but voice recognition.

I'll also use them for calling a phone number from my BT headset.

I use VR a lot for texts and emails.

 

[Clementine_3]

I have an X and do use touchless voice every now and again, it's incredibly handy! Mostly I use it in the car, just yell at my phone and it does what I tell it to. It's really a great feature and it works! Calls and navigation mostly, or to fire up Pandora

 

[ArmchairBear]

I use them mainly for navigation, although usually within Maps, so technically that's not a voice command, but voice recognition.

I'll also use them for calling a phone number from my BT headset.

I use VR a lot for texts and emails.

Wow, for emails too. For me, I don't think I would dictate a long email, but a short email would work for me.


Actually, using it to open Pandora is a really good idea especially since it starts playing right away. I gotta remember that one.

 

[Petrah]

When I use my phone I prefer using Talk to Text (my hands hurt really bad sometimes). I'll use Talk to Text whenever possible, and take full advantage of Google Now. Anything that offers me the ability to tap less gets a huge vote from me.

 

[aimzzz]

I have a friend who is blind & voice is her only way of using a smart phone. Imagine trying to use a smart phone without being able to see! She has to get help for most features but she does a lot with voice. I read that some developers are working on a surface with slightly raised buttons instead of a smooth surface, but I have no idea if anything is beyond the lab stage. I never tried voice myself, but after seeing her in action, I plan to check it out.

 

[funkylogik]

I know regulars must be sick of hearing this :sorry: but as a Scotsman with a very broad accent, its much faster and less embarrasing/funny for me to just type in the commands than to try and impersonate a BBC or CNN news reader lol
With so many regional accents, i cant see an easy way around this until a system can be "taught" an accent so voice rec' is a NO for me (for now)

 

[Rxpert83]

With so many regional accents, i cant see an easy way around this until a system can be "taught" an accent so voice rec' is a NO for me (for now)

Google now will read your thoughts before you think it in android 6.0

 

[codesplice]

I've actually heard that the voice recognition in KitKat has gotten vastly better at handling regional accents.

 

[El Presidente]

I know regulars must be sick of hearing this :sorry: but as a Scotsman with a very broad accent, its much faster and less embarrasing/funny for me to just type in the commands than to try and impersonate a BBC or CNN news reader lol
With so many regional accents, i cant see an easy way around this until a system can be "taught" an accent so voice rec' is a NO for me (for now)

Ditto, although I bet your accent is broader than mine!

TBH, I feel a bit of clown actually telling my phone what needs to be done anyway, so typing works for me.

 

[funkylogik]

Yeah and i have pretty fast thumbs that make less mistakes than my stupid mouth
Wheres it yer fae again Prez m8?

 

[Lambertoid]

I actually use it more than I thought I would if I'm playing ps3 or just get off work and am driving home it makes it so much easier and safer I can say the g2 intrigues me but the moto x really works like it should I have yet to have any lag and the only problems I have had is network issues so moto did it right with the new line up

 

[ArmchairBear]

It might sound weird, but I really like using voice commands to set alarms. If I need to set a timer or alarm for a nap, I don't want to stare at the keypad and calculate what time I need to set. And I'm good at math.

If I key in an alarm by touch, sometimes I forget if I set it for the correct day or whether I put AM or PM. With a voice command I feel more sure of what I set. I think Google Now repeats the time back to you.

It's a little thing, but making sure you set an alarm properly is important.

 

[lvu]

I love to do it when im driving, although i find google not to be as good as siri, hoping for updates!

 

[Stuntman]

Google now will read your thoughts before you think it in android 6.0

That's what the Krell used 200,000 years ago.