Google Brings Voice Actions to Android Phones
Tired of pressing buttons to get your phone to do what you want? Well, wouldn't you know it, Google has the answer to your plight.
Google today announced voice actions for Android. An add on for the existing Voice Search application, the update lets you control other aspects of phone using your voice. Whether you're sending texts, listening to music making phone calls or navigating to your favourite restaurant, you no longer have to worry about that pesky touchscreen.
Check out the full list of actions available to users:
- send text to [contact] [message]
- listen to [artist/song/album]
- call [business]
- call [contact]
- send email to [contact] [message]
- go to [website]
- note to self [note]
- navigate to [location/business name]
- directions to [location/business name]
- map of [location]
- search
If you've used Voice Search before, you likely know that it can sometimes be way off the mark. The same can be said for these new features. I downloaded the application for my Nexus One to give it a shot. I don't know if it was my accent (because Google says it only works for US English speakers), but all of my attempts to send emails returned either a server error or some very weird 'Did you mean … ' options. I didn't have much success sending texts, either – it thought I was trying to use the search function every single time. The same thing happened when I tried to create a note. The only things that did work were voice dialing and, after a few attempts, navigation.
Check out the video below to see how it should work.
You'll need Android 2.2 to download the app (search for "voice search" in the market place). Let me know if you have more luck than I did!
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So were all going to need to sound like him... that's innovative
So were all going to need to sound like him... interesting
How to look more retarded ...
I downloaded it today and it works pretty good for me. I was able to send text, e-mails, work navigation, call contacts, and even request to listen to Led Zeppelin! A few times it said "connection error" and I had to do it again, but I found it pretty accurate. Maybe it's just my accent. And you can't have to much noise in the background. I'm impressed! I have the original Motorola Droid with 2.2. Not rooted.
Is there a reason why this wasn't included at launch?
... google zombified guy...
Hay Jane, can you find out more about this for your readers? Is it cloud based or does the processing happen in the phone? Does it have the capacity to learn your voice? Dragon naturally speaking can run on very low spec machines, (1ghz intel, 1gb ram for the full PC app, a phone version would be less) so these are both possible. It is open source, so perhaps in the future... Any more technical details you can let us know about?
Ins't that the guy that jump from a Jetblue plane?
then release that fking froyo for milestone already -.-
Is there a reason why this wasn't included at launch?
Wasn't ready maybe?
Wait, he said he sent the text message totally by voice with no typing, but yet he clicked on "Send" with his finger.
Am I missing something here...
Hitting send is not typing.
The "say 'I want to talk to a customer representative' or press '0' if you want to talk to a customer representative" thing on several company's phone system is the most annoying thing ever.
Why do I want to waste so much time listening and talking to a machine when it can just tell me to press 0 for customer rep? It also forces me to talk in monotone like the Google guy here.
Wait, he said he sent the text message totally by voice with no typing, but yet he clicked on "Send" with his finger.Am I missing something here...
So I guess anytime you say you drove to a place you are wrong as you had to walk to your car first.
You fail at being witty.
Wasn't ready maybe?
I think isn't even ready just yet...they should have waited.
I'm kind of confused, since it doesn't work as smooth and straight forward as shown in the video.
Maybe I need practice...a lot of practice.
I even tried speaking like him
Works great on my Motorola Droid. On a side note I've always used voice text before i had Froyo. I guess I'm the only English speak droid owner. And no i didn't talk like dude in the video....
I'm confused, I have a Motorola Droid and I've been using these features since I got the phone...
I'm confused, I have a Motorola Droid and I've been using these features since I got the phone...
I'm confused, I have a Motorola Droid and I've been using these features since I got the phone...
This is different then the voice search the comes with the phone. This is voice action....
I realize this, but I've used the "navigate to", "call" and "directions to" voice functions on a regular basis. I never tried to use the others. Are some of these new and some not?
I also use the voice text. Sorry for the extra post.
Perhaps these are additions???
Perhaps these are additions???
Perhaps. I find it strange that they would announce this as a completely new feature when its already offered. It was on my phone when I got it, not an app download.
Works great for me. The only name it doesnt recognize is my girlfriend. (not necessarily a bad thing
Works great for me. The only name it doesnt recognize is my girlfriend. (not necessarily a bad thing
Have you tried saying "left hand" instead?