Related
I searched already for this and didn't find an answer (If another thread does exist, however, I apologize for putting this up)
But, I am wondering if there is a speech-to-text messaging app out there.
As you probably know, the G1 has a voice dialer and voice commands. I'm wondering if someone has used this to make a "voice-texting" sort of app, where what you say gets turned into text and you can send it to the contact.
This would be very useful in a car, especially now that the law (in California at least) prohibits texting while driving.
Is there an app for that out?
I would love to have an app that does this too... been looking all over.
Check out Voice Text in the market. Says it works with any app. Basically it replaces the keyboard as an input method. Comments say that it doesn't work with Cyan's mods though. I haven't tried it myself.
and something that is able to pronunce the name of the caller on an incoming call??? This option is avaible for some nokia, and is very useful expecially when using the earpiece.
I recently purchased Choice Dialer, and thought I'd start a thread with somewhat af a review, and hopefully learn from others too about how to make it work well for us.
Ever since moving to Android, I have sorely missed Microsoft Voice Command. Choice Dialer is a start toward that direction. Of course, some will think of Vlingo, which in fact may be better now than when I last used it. Seems there is not one voice app that does everything.
Among features that it has are;
Of course, Dial by name, or number
Play/pause music; Next/Previous song; Play by artist; Play from album; Play songs by title
Send email
Send text
Set Facebook status
Create contact
Open App
Schedule an event on calendar
Enable/Disable WiFi, Blue Tooth, GPS and some more
Tell you the time
Add to calendar
I have only had the app for a few days, and this review will not be comprehensive.
Does it understand?
I am struggleing a bit having it understand me. I frequently have it say "Try again". Sometimes it does something completely different from what I asked.
I am finding that it has a learning curve for speaking so it understands, as it is getting a little better. Interestingly, it understands better if I speak faster. When talking to a voice recognition, I think people have a tendency to speak slow and enunciate clearly. Interestingly, i find that makes it worse...at least, speaking slow does, for me.
I also think the app needs to mature some. For example I had this conversation with it yesterday:
Me: Enable Blue Tooth
CD: Did you say Disable Blue Tooth?
Me: No
CD; Disabling Blue Tooth.
Uh...it should have understood NO.
Another thing, as all voice dialers need, it needs a fairly quite environment. Background noise, radios, etc. will really throw it off.
Playing Music
First off, the only music player it plays through at the moment is the native android music app. I use MixZing, so prefer that.
It is nice that it will play by Artist, Album, or Song. But a glaring omission is it will not play by Genre. I asked them about playing genres, and got this response:
As to your suggestion for genres, for now perhaps you can approximate the effect through playlists? I steer clear of genres, as Android does not support the concept in its data model (I cannot ask the phone to tell me which songs are "pop").
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dialng
I find it to do fairly well at dialing when the person is in the contacts. Occasionally need to retry. I really like that it has voice confirmation.
Send Email
When I go to dictate an email, it uses Google Voice to hear the message. And often I get "Server problem Speak again" message in the Google App. I suppose it is a problem for the Google App, not Choice Dialer. But in the end, not too great. I attempted an email 7 times, and it worked twice. When it works, there is no way that I know of to have it use punctuation.
Open App
I can say Open <program name> and it works fairly well.
An interesting challenge for it is this one: "Open GPS Test". It never gets that. I presume because GPS is not a word.
Enable/Disable Functions
It works pretty good to enable Blue Tooth, and WiFi. Again, I sometimes need to repeat.
But, interestingly, enabling GPS is not what you expect. It launches the settings for you to click it, rather than just turning it on. I contacted them about it, and this is their response:
That is because that is all it CAN do.. nothing more direct is permitted a non-Google app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That one perplexes me. If you can directly enable Wifi, and Blue Tooth, I wonder why you couldn't do GPS. Certainly, there are apps that you can toggle it with.
Support
I find them VERY responsive. This is a good sign, and hopefully the app will mature and improve.
Wish List
If only this, or some app somewhere, could be as solid and capable as I found Microsoft Voice Command to be.
Would like to be able to : Play music by genre; Of course, have improved understanding and accuracy; tell me what is on my schedule today, and tomorrow. I'm sure there are others, but I'm running out of time for now on this post.
Conclusion
I may continue to use this for basic stuff, including dialing, and turning on BT when in car, opening apps etc. But for now, its too much effort repeating and so forth for the other features to be of much value to me.
So, are you using Choice Dialer? Better luck with it? Suggestions for use?
ewingr said:
I recently purchased Choice Dialer, and thought I'd start a thread with somewhat af a review, and hopefully learn from others too about how to make it work well for us.
...
Conclusion
I may continue to use this for basic stuff, including dialing, and turning on BT when in car, opening apps etc. But for now, its too much effort repeating and so forth for the other features to be of much value to me.
So, are you using Choice Dialer? Better luck with it? Suggestions for use?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried the free version and really found it to be barely on par with the VoiceDailer.apk. Additionally, though there were lots of settings, it seemed overly complicated to me (I am a huge Voicedial fan from MS6.5).
I really only want the dial bit with confirmation (I never got that to work with the free version), and maybe reading/sending texts via voice.
I am not ready to step up and buy the app, and a 1 day trial is sort of silly. Give me 3-4 days. I did not realized there was a 1 day trial when I got the free version from the market, so I did not have an opportunity to test the paid version.
It is good to hear that their support is responsive. Let me know how you progress with this. I will let you know if I purchase the product.
I'll post back in a while.
I am still finding it a bit frustrating. I love the confirmation. But, I find it has a LOT of trouble understanding me. I think it is due to background noise.
Last night I tried it a bit driving home. I drive a Lexus, so road noise is not that bad, but with my Motorola T505 speaker phone unit, I had to scream at it for it to hear me.
Well, I'm about to give up on Choice Dialer. It just has way too high a percentage of not understanding.
I'm very disappointed. This is the only app I've found that has verification by voice.
I find Vlingo and Google Voice to have its share of misunderstanding, but not near as bad as Choice Dialer, but then they require hands on methods for verifications.
The major omission I found when switching from Windows Mobile to Android Eclair was voice dialling thru bluetooth. When I updated to Froyo I immediately tested the Voice Dialler with my Jawbone II - disappointed is an understatement. Recognition of contact names was abysmal, half the time it would dial the wrong contact without any confirmation. Other times I'd have to select an option on the screen - hardly hands free!
I tried Vlingo, but soon found it would only listen and speak thru the phone, not the bluetooth. Apparently a headset with A2DP profile is required.
So I tried Choice Dialer free, and found it better than the stock voice dialer because it offers voice confirmations thru bluetooth. That alone makes it worth using.
Recognition is good using the Jawbone, I haven't tried a built-in bluetooth or separate speaker phone yet. I'll report back when I've done so.
Anyway, I was impressed enough to purchase the Choice Dialer Plus. Can't say I've used the text and email capabilites for real yet, because although you can dictate a message thru bluetooth, you can't send it without pressing a button on the screen. Apparently the developer is working on making texting fully hands-free. He seems pretty active, judging by the change log on the site.
So I would recommend that those who are disappointed with stock Voice Dialler give Choice Dialer a try and see how the voice recognition works for you. Or if you have an A2DP headset, try Vlingo.
I have read all about how Samsung "might" be providing a way to allow us to deactivate VLingo for another voice App which as you all know is NOT possible at present.
I love my GNote but the simple act of trying to initiate a call via my Voyager Pro+ BT headset is SO UNRELIABLE it renders voice dialing while driving totally USELESS and a real issue for me.
How are other GNote users fairing with this? Am a one of a few users with notable issue, using VLingo or are the many others out there who find this App very inconsistent. I come from MS Voice Command and although it had a limited set of commands compared to VLingo, Googe Voice Search, Voice Talk BUT at least it worked reliably AND did not need access to the cloud to do such mundane tasks.
I saw this thread today:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1344194&highlight=vlingo
but have never dome any ADB mounts before and I cannot believe that we Android users have to struggle with such a basic funtion.
HELP!
Hi,
I'm wondering if some of you KLD / KLG / MX / etc unit owners are using google voice commands. I can't use it properly on my unit, it crashes all the time. Sometimes it works, but usually it crashes. I'm using Malaysk rom. Is there anybody who can you use google voice without any problems? Or is there a simpel solution to fix my issues? I'm using a external mic connected with a jack to the backside of my unit.
I have spent a lot of time with this issue. My views are that the OEM version of the Google app is the only stable version(for voice use) for these HUs. My JY solution was to extract the Velvet.apk from the factory ROM. After updating to a Malsysk ROM, I replaced the pre updated apk back to the older factory version. You will lose out out on some updated features, but having a working voice command is nice tradeoff.
Velvet.apk, OEM JY Version
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0iQtPEIFgeHR3hQdGlvd2RrVUk/view?usp=sharing
Missing features.
carter.w.jason said:
I have spent a lot of time with this issue. My views are that the OEM version of the Google app is the only stable version(for voice use) for these HUs. My JY solution was to extract the Velvet.apk from the factory ROM. After updating to a Malsysk ROM, I replaced the pre updated apk back to the older factory version. You will lose out out on some updated features, but having a working voice command is nice tradeoff.
Velvet.apk, OEM JY Version
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, Does your okay google now allow you to make phone calls, send email etc.... what features are you loosing out by going this route. Thanks!!!!
aledesma said:
Hi, Does your okay google now allow you to make phone calls, send email etc.... what features are you loosing out by going this route. Thanks!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Phone calls? No. I believe this is a common issue, there is no phone hardware onboard. Though I'm not that familiar with that feature.
Email and other task could be handled with Autovoice if Google app can not. Again, not that familiar.
For me, the main missing feature was choice of navigation app. Nav questions will only launch GMaps, newer version can launch Waze or your nag app choice, by default.
carter.w.jason said:
I have spent a lot of time with this issue. My views are that the OEM version of the Google app is the only stable version(for voice use) for these HUs. My JY solution was to extract the Velvet.apk from the factory ROM. After updating to a Malsysk ROM, I replaced the pre updated apk back to the older factory version. You will lose out out on some updated features, but having a working voice command is nice tradeoff.
Velvet.apk, OEM JY Version
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0iQtPEIFgeHR3hQdGlvd2RrVUk/view?usp=sharing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your comment. I tried your solution and its working better, i still get some errors time to time, but is much better...thanks
[
aledesma said:
Hi, Does your okay google now allow you to make phone calls, send email etc.... what features are you loosing out by going this route. Thanks!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have a phone connected via BT you can make phone calls using OK Google.
Tumke32 said:
Hi,
I'm wondering if some of you KLD / KLG / MX / etc unit owners are using google voice commands. I can't use it properly on my unit, it crashes all the time. Sometimes it works, but usually it crashes. I'm using Malaysk rom. Is there anybody who can you use google voice without any problems? Or is there a simpel solution to fix my issues? I'm using a external mic connected with a jack to the backside of my unit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've read some posts in the Malaysk ROM thread and many people have modded their units by opening them up and re-runing the internal mic. It's that mic, not the external, that is used for voice commands and apparently it is an unshielded wire that allows for a lot of interference and therefore unreliable google voice. I'm still foggy on the voice dialing but someone somewhere got this to work but not through the native bluetooth app. I think I read that they used the RK3066/Rk3188 app in the google play store or something...I'm just getting started with my unit and it's not even installed yet. Hopefully some of this was insightful for you.
newt_dunbarton said:
I've read some posts in the Malaysk ROM thread and many people have modded their units by opening them up and re-runing the internal mic. It's that mic, not the external, that is used for voice commands and apparently it is an unshielded wire that allows for a lot of interference and therefore unreliable google voice. I'm still foggy on the voice dialing but someone somewhere got this to work but not through the native bluetooth app. I think I read that they used the RK3066/Rk3188 app in the google play store or something...I'm just getting started with my unit and it's not even installed yet. Hopefully some of this was insightful for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am using the latest Malaysk ROM dated 10th January 2016 for RK3188 1024*600. It lets me speak Ok Google and Call (contact name) to the phone when after pressing the call button. The way it works for me is:
1. Whatever is playing on the unit, it stops when I press the call button on my steering;
2. It launches the unit's dial screen;
3. I say 'OK Google', it launches the ok google listener on the phone;
4. I say 'Call (contact name)' and it calls.
Few things I had to manage before this started working was:
1. Enable the option to receive commands over bluetooth in Google Now settings in the phone;
2. Enable to XPOSED MTC in the XPOSED framework in the head unit;
3. Change the setting to integrate with phone's google now interface (something like that) in XPOSED MTC module.
Hope this helps.
Can you elaborate on this process please?
carter.w.jason said:
I have spent a lot of time with this issue. My views are that the OEM version of the Google app is the only stable version(for voice use) for these HUs. My JY solution was to extract the Velvet.apk from the factory ROM. After updating to a Malsysk ROM, I replaced the pre updated apk back to the older factory version. You will lose out out on some updated features, but having a working voice command is nice tradeoff.
Velvet.apk, OEM JY Version
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0iQtPEIFgeHR3hQdGlvd2RrVUk/view?usp=sharing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you go to file manager and replace the Malaysk version? Where is it located? or did you simply install with with apk instal app. Than you so much!!!!
aledesma said:
Did you go to file manager and replace the Malaysk version? Where is it located? or did you simply install with with apk instal app. Than you so much!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uninstalled with Titanium Backup. Velvet.apk is located in /system/priv-app. Copy/Paste replacement Velvet.apk using Root Explorer. !!! Set file permissions to 644 with Root Explorer !!! Reboot.
shaiq123 said:
I am using the latest Malaysk ROM dated 10th January 2016 for RK3188 1024*600. It lets me speak Ok Google and Call (contact name) to the phone when after pressing the call button. The way it works for me is:
1. Whatever is playing on the unit, it stops when I press the call button on my steering;
2. It launches the unit's dial screen;
3. I say 'OK Google', it launches the ok google listener on the phone;
4. I say 'Call (contact name)' and it calls.
Few things I had to manage before this started working was:
1. Enable the option to receive commands over bluetooth in Google Now settings in the phone;
2. Enable to XPOSED MTC in the XPOSED framework in the head unit;
3. Change the setting to integrate with phone's google now interface (something like that) in XPOSED MTC module.
Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
1. Enable the option to receive commands over bluetooth in Google Now settings in the phone;
Were can i find this option? I have a nexus 5 and i updated my google now, but there no option like that in google now. Or do you mean the option "bluetooth headset" under voice?
3. Change the setting to integrate with phone's google now interface (something like that) in XPOSED MTC module.
I can't find any options in Xposed MTC related to what you are writing. Are you sure this option is in Xposed MTC?
Thank you!!!
carter.w.jason said:
Uninstalled with Titanium Backup. Velvet.apk is located in /system/priv-app. Copy/Paste replacement Velvet.apk using Root Explorer. !!! Set file permissions to 644 with Root Explorer !!! Reboot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will give it a shot!!!
Hi there,
I to have been wondering about the best way to get voice dialling working and as my google voice crashes the HU more often than not, I think it is best to do this as shaiq123 has suggested by pressing the call button the steering wheel and then Ok Googling the phone to make the call.
But my phone goes to lock screen in the car and that stops this working. What I would like is that when my phone connects to the car bluetooth it
1) stops it going to lockscreen
2) activates wifi hotspot
3) activates 'ok google' if it is not normally activated
and it reverses on disconnecting.
Is this something easily done or do I need some kind of app to do this?
A final thing that would be helpful, is that it would be useful to give the play music command to direct the HU to play music from an HU attached SD card rather than the phone memory. Is there a way to also configure that (i.e. that the command would seek music stored on HU rather than phone first?)
Cheers
Mr Bigglesworth said:
Hi there,
I to have been wondering about the best way to get voice dialling working and as my google voice crashes the HU more often than not, I think it is best to do this as shaiq123 has suggested by pressing the call button the steering wheel and then Ok Googling the phone to make the call.
But my phone goes to lock screen in the car and that stops this working. What I would like is that when my phone connects to the car bluetooth it
1) stops it going to lockscreen
2) activates wifi hotspot
3) activates 'ok google' if it is not normally activated
and it reverses on disconnecting.
Is this something easily done or do I need some kind of app to do this?
A final thing that would be helpful, is that it would be useful to give the play music command to direct the HU to play music from an HU attached SD card rather than the phone memory. Is there a way to also configure that (i.e. that the command would seek music stored on HU rather than phone first?)
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could achieve the first part using Tasker, you would just create a profile to run your tasks that actives when your phone connects to the headunit. Its a great app for automating stuff like that.
dc5daft said:
You could achieve the first part using Tasker, you would just create a profile to run your tasks that actives when your phone connects to the headunit. Its a great app for automating stuff like that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks - in fact this morning I have downloaded the trial for Tasker as well as Automate to see if they can do what I am looking for.
I've decided what would be really helpful would be if I could
1) Use app to detect when phone connects to car HU via bluetooth
2) Launch Wifi Hotspot
3) set the camera button to unlock screen and activate google voice
Now 1&2 look like its not too difficult and may even be doable using the Sony Smart Connect app (on a Z2, not rooted).
3 doesn't seem to be as instantly obvious. In tasker, I put in a new profile>event>hardware>button camera, also selected non beginner settings so could pit priority to highest and activate stop event, then put the task as launch voice search app - but it just keeps doing the camera?
Mr Bigglesworth said:
Thanks - in fact this morning I have downloaded the trial for Tasker as well as Automate to see if they can do what I am looking for.
I've decided what would be really helpful would be if I could
1) Use app to detect when phone connects to car HU via bluetooth
2) Launch Wifi Hotspot
3) set the camera button to unlock screen and activate google voice
Now 1&2 look like its not too difficult and may even be doable using the Sony Smart Connect app (on a Z2, not rooted).
3 doesn't seem to be as instantly obvious. In tasker, I put in a new profile>event>hardware>button camera, also selected non beginner settings so could pit priority to highest and activate stop event, then put the task as launch voice search app - but it just keeps doing the camera?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Create a new Profile>State>Net>BT Connected then click the magnifying glass next to name and select the name of your headunit. This will mean whenever your bluetooth is connected to the headunit it will run the tasks associated with it. It will give you the option to name and create a task once you create your profile then create new>Net>WiFi Tether and set to On.
I have a Z2 as well and just tried the camera button as a profile and it didn't work for me either, you'll need to do some googling on that, not sure why it doesnt work. It's best to set a flash (Alert>Flash) in your task as a test to see if your task runs but I'm sure you need to need to have root to unlock the screen.
dc5daft said:
Create a new Profile>State>Net>BT Connected then click the magnifying glass next to name and select the name of your headunit. This will mean whenever your bluetooth is connected to the headunit it will run the tasks associated with it. It will give you the option to name and create a task once you create your profile then create new>Net>WiFi Tether and set to On.
I have a Z2 as well and just tried the camera button as a profile and it didn't work for me either, you'll need to do some googling on that, not sure why it doesnt work. It's best to set a flash (Alert>Flash) in your task as a test to see if your task runs but I'm sure you need to need to have root to unlock the screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for this - and yes this where I had got to (which make me feel better!). And I too think the camera button may not be workable without root.
I think I need to change my plans and see if I can prevent the lockscreen to come on when connected to this bluetooth device. That way I can fall back to using ok google as the lockscreen prevents ok google from completing requests.
Okay - think I've done that and it was easy enough, now have a profile which when connected to HU through bluetooth does (1) set off wifi tether and (2) Set keyguard off. Then with (3) double tap to wake screen and (4) Ok google should be able to do what I need it to.
Last thing I'm wondering if you could do is to create a large voice dial icon (double normal size etc) on screen (in case initial ok google doesn't work)...
Hello,
As others might already have discovered and unless I'm doing something terribly wrong, the Search field in GMaps disappears when the car is moving, and only re-appears when the car becomes stationary. As a result, when you need to alter your route in any way once you're started and going, it is impossible. Is it maybe an option I need to check to remove this frustrating behaviour or is there some sort of mod for Android Auto or the Google Maps app that will allow me to bypass this limitation and use GMaps in AA the same way I have been using car's Navigation systems so far?
mclisme said:
Hello,
As others might already have discovered and unless I'm doing something terribly wrong, the Search field in GMaps disappears when the car is moving, and only re-appears when the car becomes stationary. As a result, when you need to alter your route in any way once you're started and going, it is impossible. Is it maybe an option I need to check to remove this frustrating behaviour or is there some sort of mod for Android Auto or the Google Maps app that will allow me to bypass this limitation and use GMaps in AA the same way I have been using car's Navigation systems so far?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i dont think there is a way around it, you should be able to click the mic button to speak the destination if that helps