Voice Dialer...What's the Point?

**Fretty** · 09-08-2009, 04:57 PM

I have the HTC Magic (G2) and have since launch, love the phone.
Up until last night I hadn't bothered syncing up my bluetooth headset with the phone, but as the date draws near where it will become illegal here in Ontario (Canada) to drive while operating a cell phone, mp3 player etc. I decided it would be a good time to get it ready.

(No, I do not normally drive while operating the phone, but now and then it "does" happen, yes yes, I know, I'm a horrible person...)

After syncing the phone and testing it out, I have to say, I'm very disappointed with Android's Voice Dialer app. I use to use the HTC tytn2 with Windows Mobile 6, and as slow and clunky as that phone was in comparison, the hands free voice dialer was at least useful. The main problem I have is that for one the screen cannot be in "sleep" mode, which mean now I have to pick up my phone while driving to hit the home button twice to unlock it, then I can use the headset to activate voice dialing and such, which is fine...UNTIL...I now have to confirm the command, with the buttons! Why??? On Windows Mobile, after I said a command it would ask if I was sure if that's what I wanted to do, then I would simply say "Yes", no hand required. What purpose is a voice dialer when I'm pressing more buttons to allow myself to use the voice dialer then I would be if I were to simply open my contacts and press on someone's name?

Sorry about this turning into somewhat of a rant, but I'm really displeased here. Can someone tell me if perhaps I'm doing something wrong? I'd rather be an idiot and find out this works better than to find out that THIS is their answer to voice dialing. If that is in fact how it's supposed to work, does anyone know of another app that is a little more...useful in that respect? I'd appreciate any help I can get.

-Fretty

**Fretty** · 09-08-2009, 05:02 PM

Just realized, this should be in the app section, shouldn't it?
Sorry. :s

**deserttopping** · 09-08-2009, 06:56 PM

I use starcontact for a dialer, and bettercut to make direct dial shortcuts. Never even think about voice dialing unless i accidentally hold down the call button, then i get pissed and hammer the home button til it goes away.

**f4phantomii** · 09-08-2009, 07:58 PM

Voicedial works with BT headsets now? When did this happen?

Or is this only for Hero/Magic handsets?

**Fretty** · 09-09-2009, 01:34 PM

At least it answers incoming calls without me needing to actually touch the phone itself (good for driving).

I still can't believe that initiating the call using voice dialing actually requires more work than just going to the contacts and picking the contact to call manually. Doesn't make any sense to me.

All I really want is to be able to confirm the command via voice as well as be able to initiate voice dialing without needing to unlock the screen first (since it locks when the screen time out occurs), thus eliminating being required to look at or handle the phone to use voice dialing.

Devs...are you looking into changing this?

**constellanation** · 09-09-2009, 02:17 PM

I agree the voice dialer doesn't make sense as it is now.

I would hope they are working on it.

**rickytenzer** · 09-11-2009, 12:25 AM

http://code.google.com/p/android/iss...ummary%20stars

I encourage everyone to star this issue. It is a MAJOR design flaw in what should be rudimentary at this point in time. I want this thing fixed ASAP!

**rbasch** · 10-25-2010, 12:37 AM

With Froyo (Android 2.2) on the Samsung Captivate, I finally got voice-dialing working, though it took a bit of work.

1) Install TopVoiceControl

2) Install TTS Extended Service 3.1
http://code.google.com/p/eyes-free/d...t.apk&can=2&q=

At this point, I am able to voice-dial with TopVoiceControl (after the programs initialize, of course). However, I only use TopVoiceControl for a couple commands because I find Voice Search to have better recognition.
- Enable/disable service, e.g. "Disable wifi"
- Launching Voice Search, e.g. "Open Voice Search"
From Voice Search, I perform my dialing or launching voice navigation.

I already experimented with eSpeak TTS vs. Pico TTS which was included in the Froyo 2.2 build for the Samsung Captivate, and decided to stick with Pico TTS. There may be other TTS engines. I also previously experimented with Choice Dialer+ Free with limited success.

The only annoying issue now is not being able to use voice commands while the phone is locked (and I have an aggressive screen timeout set to conserve the battery). That will be my next challenge to overcome, as will the ability to permit phoning the ICE contacts or Lost Phone contacts at the Lock Screen. (I have only had the phone 2 days, so I am still experimenting.)