In a slightly low-key press conference in the US this evening, Google has just revealed a thorough update to its voice recognition tools – which adds many new voice-activated controls to Android. Not just to Search, but to everything.
For example, saying “Listen to…” followed by a band name will pop up your phone’s music playing apps, or you can set your alarm by saying “Set alarm for…” whenever you get up.
Here’s Google’s list of voice actions:
Speak any of these commands to perform a Voice Action on your phone
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]
It’s rather clever. As long as it can cope with our accents, of course. That’s always Problem #1 with these things. Here’s Voice Actions in… action:
That’s a worryingly Apple-like presentation video. Read more about Voice Actions for Android over on the Google Mobile blog. Oh, and one other little issue – it requires Android 2.2 in order to work. Oh well. Nothing to see here then :(
Motorola’s latest flagship dual-core Android monster is a massive, original powerhouse, that’s a big improvement on previous MOTOBLUR mobiles – but still isn’t a total winner.
A slim and glamorous phone from Sony Ericsson, with the sharpest display around. It’s no powerhouse and the screen’s not the biggest out there, but we don’t mind. Because it’s cute.
LG’s first glasses-free 3D phone is a heavy, fat monster, with a clever 3D effect that works rather well. As a smartphone, though, it’s heavy and underwhelming.
A very shiny thing from Sony Ericsson, with a 3.7″ screen and Android 2.3.3 inside. But is it exciting enough to win fans in today’s spec-obsessed market? Can man live on one core alone?
INQ’s Android phone is an interesting “boutique” piece of hardware, packed with unique interface customisations that go far beyond the headline Facebook integration. We like it a lot.
DrB
/ August 12, 2010Looks like it’s not available in UK Market? Is this US only for now?
shabby
/ August 12, 2010Market, navigation, voice commands, voice search. Suddenly Android feels a little crippled for people living outside of Google-approved areas. :/
Anonymous
/ August 13, 2010works kind of ok on my desire. Struggles with my yorkshire accent.
edhe
/ August 13, 2010Not gotten one thing right yet, and i don’t do much of an accent [despite being glaswegian]
NB i want my dictation back that was removed when my 2.2 upgraded desire stopped me using HTC_IME mod :(
Gary C
/ August 13, 2010I wouldn’t use it, for the same reason I’m put off Swype. The time saved is negated by the occasions when you have to have five goes at getting one particular word right. At least slowly typing always just works.
DaveC
/ August 13, 2010I’ve downloaded the new stuff and rebooted the phone, but still can’t get the commands to work even though it recognises what I am saying.