Does MS Voice Command work with ANY PIM?

[zilla31]

i'm really interested in MS VC after reading a ton of glowing reviews... but i had a question first sinc ethere is no trial or demo: will the voice commands work with any app? any PIM like PI? just want to make doubly sure before i shell out 40 bones!

thanks!

ps any other testimony you might want to provide before i take the plunge would also be very much welcome :)

[Robb Bates]

I have MSVC and it's a pretty amazing piece of software. BUT... it is limited in what it can do. Here's pretty much all you can do...

1. launch any program in your start menu
2. pull up a contact
3. play music with WMP
4. dial a contact (with phone edition only, no bluetooth)
5. check up coming appointments
6. appointments announced during alarm

That's pretty much it. Don't expect a free form voice command program. You can do anything like "up cursor" or "take a memo" or anything like that. You can get creative in which programs you put in your start menu. Check out PHM Pocket PC Plus for some cool voice command start menu shortcuts. Like "Start power off" or "Start Previous" or "Start Backlight".

Overall, I like it. There is so much more they could have done with it, but didn't. With the success they've had with this program, there's little doubt they'll release version 2.0. The questions is when.

Robb Bates

[zilla31]

thanks rob. when you say "in your start menu" do you mean at the root or also programs in the /programs directory? do you feel like it performs well in what it DOES do? THANKS!

[Robb Bates]

when you say "in your start menu" do you mean at the root or also programs in the /programs directory? do you feel like it performs well in what it DOES do? THANKS!

Any shortcut/program in Windows/Start Menu or any subdirectory will work.

The voice recognition is quite incredible. Even in a noisy background. The only issue I've seen is when the program is named funny, like "ftxpBrowser". I might not always work. But I'm really suprised at how well it DOES work. I can say "Open F T X P Browser" and it'll open it. Or for "uBook Reader" I can say "Open Microbook Reader" and it works. But "Calc98" acts up. I had to change the shortcut to "Calc 98" so I could say "Open Calc Ninety Eight" to get it to work.

Even with funny ethnic names it does pretty good "Martin Wasiewicz" causes problems though. Instead of saying it like it's supposed to be pronouced "Show Martin Vashevitz" I have to say "Show Martin Wass-ee-wikz"

The best part is, you don't have to train it.

The only drawbacks that I've seen are:

Speech synthesis volume too low.
Microphone Auto gain must be turned off.
Limits in capabilities.
Somewhat large memory footprint.

All-in-all I am quite happy with it. It's got a huge GEEK factor for showing off. Plus it saves me so much time trying to look up a name in my 500+ contacts or searching through start menu directories to find a program. That's all I really use it for and those two things make it worth it... for me.

Other than what you've already mentioned, what are your concerns about buying it? Tell me what you're worried about and I'll try to address it.

Robb Bates

[zilla31]

that was one of my main concerns - i wanted to open any program not just a select few... and i want it to work with pocket informant (which i use to replace the default PIMs) but i don't think that should be a problem since it must read from the underlying PIM database (not matter what the "cover" program)... i think i'll take the plunge - but i wish it were $20 instead of $40 :wink:

[Jeff Rutledge]

I believe there's a one-day trial available. You may want to take it for a spin for a day before you thrown down your cash.

[Robb Bates]

that was one of my main concerns - i wanted to open any program not just a select few... and i want it to work with pocket informant (which i use to replace the default PIMs) but i don't think that should be a problem since it must read from the underlying PIM database (not matter what the "cover" program)... i think i'll take the plunge - but i wish it were $20 instead of $40 :wink:

As long as PI uses the same database as the built in Contacts and Calendar, you should be OK.

If you subscribe to PPC Thoughts, you can use the Handango discount. My subcription has MORE than paid for itself. It's well worth it.

Robb

[zilla31]

I believe there's a one-day trial available. You may want to take it for a spin for a day before you thrown down your cash.

yeah i've been looking ALL over for this but i can't find it - anyone have a link? handango is pretending as if there is no trial. i'd love to try it before i buy it then all my questions could be answered! THANKS!