Mike Calligaro Talks Voice Command and Bluetooth Headsets

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://blogs.msdn.com/windowsmobile/archive/2006/02/03/524289.aspx' target='_blank'>http://blogs.msdn.com/windowsmobile.../03/524289.aspx</a><br /><br /></div><i>"I had a request to do a blog entry explaining why Voice Command doesn't work over Bluetooth (BTh) headsets. The long story is a sordid tale of love, betrayal, and the number 8. The short story is that the current version of Voice Command relies on microphones that sample at 16 kHz, but BTh headsets only do 8kHz."</i><br /><br />Mike Calligaro (at the Windows Mobile Team Blog) has written up an entry discussing the current lack of support between Microsoft Voice Command and Bluetooth headsets, despite the fact that a few of you have managed to question that lack of support by <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/articles.php?action=expand,44202">implementing a registry hack</a> on your device. Give the article a read and let us know what you think.

[Sven Johannsen]

My take, as I mentioned in another thread, is that it explains why not a great deal of emphasis is being made by MS to get VC to be initiated and supported via BTH. The bottom line is that the digitization disparity could significantly affect the experience BT users have with VC, so it wouldn't be in MSs best interest to provide a capability the user probably wouldn't be happy with.

It would seem that VC itself would need to be re-written to work well with the lower audio rate, because it is unlikely that the BT standards are going to change.

The hack doesn't make VC work over BT, it just changes what program is launced when you hit the headset button. You could have it launch Media Player or Excel if you wanted. It's nice that some are getting lucky and VC is doing what they want, but understand it's a bonus, not an entitlement.

[Ed Hansberry]

So, why does it work on the JasJar and K-Jam with a registry hack? :?:

[Sven Johannsen]

It doesn't work on mine. At least not consistantly. May even be somewhat dependent on what headset you are using. The JasJar specifically is very annoying when trying to use the headset, as it doesn't wake up if the case is closed, even from the hardware voice button. That's the case with the included Voice Tag software, not just VC.