Microsoft Voice Command 1.6 Reviewed on The Two Inch View

[Paul Martin]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.twoinchview.com/124-microsoft-voice-command-16-reviewed' target='_blank'>http://www.twoinchview.com/124-micr...and-16-reviewed</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Listening to music is delightfully easy: using a pair of Helium Digital HDBT-700 Bluetooth headphones, I activated Voice Command and said “Play music”. The software responded by asking me if I wanted to play a certain artist, a certain album, or anything (meaning all music). I verbally responded with “Anything” and a few seconds later Windows Media Player 10 Mobile started up on my T-Mobile Dash and music filled my ears. It’s just as easy to say “Play The Beatles” (artist name), or “Play Bleed American” (album name) and it will queue up the music."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/TwoInch_MS_VoiceCommand.jpg" /><br /><br />Jason Dunn reviews <a href="http://www.handango.com/ampp/store/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=311&productType=2&productId=199594">Microsoft Voice Command 1.6</a> [<i>affiliate link</i>] on his Windows Mobile blog. When I first got my Jornada, it came with Mobile Conversay, which worked OK, but the commands it recognized were so simple, it was easier to just tap on the screen to get it done. Voice Command is definitely an improvement, with it's voice-controlled media integration, but I'd still love to see it read my e-mails and maybe even ebooks while I drive to work. If you use Voice Command, what's your favorite use for the software?

[trevleyb]

Once you get used to using Voice Command, I find you can't live without it.

One of the best uses is looking up people. For example, before I would do the following steps:

1. Turn on Pocket PC
2. Take out stylus
3. Click Start->Contacts
4. In the Search Box type in the first or last name of a contact
5. Click on the contact to bring up details

Now, I just press the Voice Command button and say "lookup bla bla" and the details come up. It gets it right 24 out of 25 times (or more) --- actually, I am amazed at how accurate it is in finding information.

The other use is dialing. Same deal, I just say "Dial bla bla on mobile" and it asks to confirm that it has it right and I am away. No more doing the steps above and then selecting dial.

I tried Voice Command for the trial and had to buy it just for this. Mind you, I do feel like a nerd talking to my handheld ;-)

Trevor

[Paul Martin]

Now, I just press the Voice Command button and say "lookup bla bla" and the details come up. It gets it right 24 out of 25 times (or more) --- actually, I am amazed at how accurate it is in finding information...Mind you, I do feel like a nerd talking to my handheld ;-)
Trevor

Ahh, yes. The nerd factor. I felt weird as well! Thanks for the feedback. So, are you using either a smartphone or phone using Windows Mobile?

[shoey5]

I agree, this is an amazing application, and once you use it you can't live without it. One thing to add is that Voice Command 1.6 adds much improved voice recognition support with direct bluetooth support built in.

With that said If he was reviewing an mp3 player this would be a great general review of Voice Command 1.6. But reviewing a Windows Mobile PHONE he completely missed out on one very very important point that renders the program useless for what it was really designed for. And that is Microsoft Voice Command 1.6 even with added Bluetooth support does not work using a mono bluetooth headset on a number of popular WM5 Pocket PC/Smartphones including the HTC Trinity, HTC Hermes, Palm Treo 700w, 700wx, 700v....and the list goes on.

[q-live]

I agree, this is an amazing application, and once you use it you can't live without it. One thing to add is that Voice Command 1.6 adds much improved voice recognition support with direct bluetooth support built in.

With that said If he was reviewing an mp3 player this would be a great general review of Voice Command 1.6. But reviewing a Windows Mobile PHONE he completely missed out on one very very important point that renders the program useless for what it was really designed for. And that is Microsoft Voice Command 1.6 even with added Bluetooth support does not work using a mono bluetooth headset on a number of popular WM5 Pocket PC/Smartphones including the HTC Trinity, HTC Hermes, Palm Treo 700w, 700wx, 700v....and the list goes on.


not even using my logitech bluetooth i bought 2 years ago on my xv6700 ????????

[trevleyb]

Now, I just press the Voice Command button and say "lookup bla bla" and the details come up. It gets it right 24 out of 25 times (or more) --- actually, I am amazed at how accurate it is in finding information...Mind you, I do feel like a nerd talking to my handheld ;-)
Trevor

Ahh, yes. The nerd factor. I felt weird as well! Thanks for the feedback. So, are you using either a smartphone or phone using Windows Mobile?

I'm using a Windows Mobile 5.0 device (O2 Atom Exec) which is a very nice device. I have not tried Voice Command with my bluetooth headset yet. I tried version with version 1.5 and it did not work, and I have not gotten around to trying with the 1.6 version. Thinks: Must do that ...... :wink:

[mbranscum]

Jason Dunn reviews Microsoft Voice Command 1.6 (http://www.handango.com/ampp/store/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=311&productType=2&productId=199594) [affiliate link] on his personal site.

Actually, this isn't Jason's personal site...is it?

[Paul Martin]

Actually, this isn't Jason's personal site...is it?

I think of the Two Inch View (http://www.twoinchview.com/) as his personal site since he's the only one that blogs for it, though it is sponsored by Microsoft which enables it to be advertising free. I'm sorry if I wasn't clear so I reworded it above. His personal random-thoughts blog can be found here (http://www.jasondunn.com/). Thanks for helping me clear that up.

[q-live]

does it run good off of the card

[Eriq Cook]

Dialing numbers and looking up contacts is my #1 use for VoiceCommand. I can't live without it. It's incredibly accurate and requires no training out-the-box. It sets the standard for mobile voice recognition technology.

A few small tips that have made VoiceCommand even easier to use:

- VoiceCommand seems to recognize "cell" better than "mobile". So I just say "Call X on cell" instead (it's not documented)
- You can say "one eight hundred" instead of "one, eight, zero, zero"
- You can even say "Yeah" instead "yes" lol

I've even programmed an "IP Address" contact (for Windows remote desktop), so all I have to say is "Show I.P. address" since I can't remember all the time. I've also programmed a list of jazz clubs and other entertainment spots in the Denver area, so I just say "Show Denver jazz clubs" or "Show comedy clubs" if I'm out on the town.

Features I would love to see in the very near future would be:

- Ability to ask what future appointments you have on any day up to three months. Current it only allows next day. I'd like to say "what are my appointments February third"
- Ability to say "thousand" when dialing numbers. So I can say "Dial 625-three thousand" instead of saying six, two, five, three, zero, zero, zero.

I know it's a long way off but I can't wait until we have the ability to write emails, input calendar appointments (using names already in your address book), and input new phone numbers in contact items by voice. It'd be cool to be able to say "New appointment - March first, three p.m. - Subject, John Doe". lol

The Apple iPhone would be killer if it had this technology with its screen-only input.

[Paul Martin]

I know it's a long way off but I can't wait until we have the ability to write emails, input calendar appointments (using names already in your address book), and input new phone numbers in contact items by voice. It'd be cool to be able to say "New appointment - March first, three p.m. - Subject, John Doe". lol

Thanks for the input and tips. Man, that would be nice...portable dictation!

[Paquette]

...reviewing a Windows Mobile PHONE he completely missed out on one very very important point that renders the program useless for what it was really designed for. And that is Microsoft Voice Command 1.6 even with added Bluetooth support does not work using a mono bluetooth headset on a number of popular WM5 Pocket PC/Smartphones including the HTC Trinity, HTC Hermes, Palm Treo 700w, 700wx, 700v....and the list goes on.

Indeed: I returned the program (German version on T-Mobile MDA Vario II aka HTC Hermes) due to bluetooth and recognition problems.

Especially the recognition problems drove me nuts because (as BT did not work properly) I wanted to use it in my car with the built-in handsfree option of the Vario II. VC 1.6 didn't respond - even when yelling at it. Funny enough, the Cyberon application that was shipped with the Vario II works - so it must be a problem of VC. Disabling the AGC option in the Settings/System panel (undocumented) led to slight improvement with VC but the recognition rate was still inacceptable.

It's too bad that you can't adjust the microphone sensitivity of the Hermes. Maybe that would help with VC.

Using it as a voice controlled mp3 player also didn't work because I couldn't figure out how to teach VC to play songs from the storage card, too. It always screened the main storage only.

For me VC 1.6 is a complete dissappointment. :(

Paquette

[daS]

does it run good off of the card
No. Since VoiceCommand uses a hardware key it should only be installed in main memory.
I have very few apps installed in main memory: Voice Command, Agenda Fusion, Magic Button and PQzII. Everything else is on a flash card.

[martin_ayton]

Does anyone know if the v1.6 UK version offered on the .co.uk site really is what it says? The thing that bothers me is that it shows a release date of Jan 2005 which is way before the real v1.6 came out.

I'm using v1.5 with a BT headset on my Vario II and it is working really well. I am prepared to upgrade, but only if I'm convinced that it really is an upgrade.