Why does Siri matter? Google's voice-search does the same stuff

[runawayprisoner]

SGS2:

set phone to car mode when in car
tap top of phone to activate voice commands.
speak.


what fumbling?

SGS2 or select models only, I think...

And Siri:

hold button down
speak

1 step less. No set up. Just phone, Siri, and you.

 

[Dominato3r]

Hold search button
speak

(on a Nexus S)

 

[runawayprisoner]

Hold search button
speak

(on a Nexus S)

Does it work with bluetooth headset or a headphone with mic + remote?

 

[Dominato3r]

It should... I think. I just plugged in my headset and it figured out my navigate command fine. I don't use any Bluetooth devices though so I can't say anything there.

 

[Red Storm]

Does it work with bluetooth headset or a headphone with mic + remote?

Can Siri initiate voice guided GPS? Not that I'm aware of... so what good is it in the car when the goal is to avoid dealing with your phone? This is one thing iOS could do like Android if Apple actually gave their users the ability to set default apps.

 

[runawayprisoner]

It should... I think. I just plugged in my headset and it figured out my navigate command fine. I don't use any Bluetooth devices though so I can't say anything there.

Then it should. I don't doubt that it should.

It seems that on my Captivate, it doesn't do the same thing. Probably because of the custom ROM. If it's default behavior, then that's pretty neat.

But what I notice is that all this voice stuff really didn't matter until Siri came about. I used to dictate my texts on the Captivate all the time because the crappy stock keyboard was very unresponsive, and it didn't even support multitouch.

Can Siri initiate voice guided GPS? Not that I'm aware of... so what good is it in the car when the goal is to avoid dealing with your phone? This is one thing iOS could do like Android if Apple actually gave their users the ability to set default apps.

Even if Apple gave users the ability to do so, it would still require you to enter texts in certain apps.

But if it's an app that natively supports opening an address (this actually has to be declared by the developer), it should ask for the app to open the address in.

The way I see it, voice-guided navigation is just a hell of a lot better on Android regardless because there's Google. It costs quite a fortune on iOS to get apps that support voice navigation, and then to get traffic information and the likes, costs keep driving up.

But thanksfully, I don't need voice navigation a lot.

 

[Red Storm]

Then it should. I don't doubt that it should.

It seems that on my Captivate, it doesn't do the same thing. Probably because of the custom ROM. If it's default behavior, then that's pretty neat.

But what I notice is that all this voice stuff really didn't matter until Siri came about. I used to dictate my texts on the Captivate all the time because the crappy stock keyboard was very unresponsive, and it didn't even support multitouch.

It didn't really matter because Google didn't talk it up like it was the next holy grail of smartphones, unlike Apple's marketing of Siri.

Siri's key features seem to be creating calendar appointments, creating location based alerts, and assigning and using nicknames to contacts, all via voice (I'm not sure if other voice control apps have done the last one before). These are all neat and I definitely see the advantages and uses, but I don't see how it is revolutionary.

Even if Apple gave users the ability to do so, it would still require you to enter texts in certain apps.

But if it's an app that natively supports opening an address (this actually has to be declared by the developer), it should ask for the app to open the address in.

The way I see it, voice-guided navigation is just a hell of a lot better on Android regardless because there's Google. It costs quite a fortune on iOS to get apps that support voice navigation, and then to get traffic information and the likes, costs keep driving up.

But thanksfully, I don't need voice navigation a lot.

Mapquest gives you free voice guided GPS on iOS. It's already there, Apple just needs to let you specify that addresses should always be opened in Mapquest (or whatever app you want).

 

[Raduque]

It's an Apple product, derp. That automagically makes it better.

Edit: Kidding, btw.

 

[ponyo]

SGS2:

set phone to car mode when in car
tap top of phone to activate voice commands.
speak.


what fumbling?

My 7" Tab automatically goes into car mode when I attach it to the car mount. Until Apple makes voice navigation standard like Google, it will always be inferior device in a car. It doesn't help the iPhone screen is only 3.5 inches making it hard to see while driving.

 

[Zaap]

SGS2 or select models only, I think...

And Siri:

... isn't on select 'model' only?


Siri isn't bad, but there's nothing it offers over and beyond what I already have that would compel me to get the one phone that currently has it.

Tasker plus the voice options Android have already do virtually everything I need a phone to do. For my own use, I find Tasker far more useful, along with a bigger screen. I can already voice-dictate into any app that has text input- have no idea if Apple has the same, but doing without that is a no-go for me.

If I could get Siri + Tasker + bigger screen device + voice entry in any text field of any app, then great, I'd be all for it.

 

[badb0y]

... isn't on select 'model' only?


Siri isn't bad, but there's nothing it offers over and beyond what I already have that would compel me to get the one phone that currently has it.

Tasker plus the voice options Android have already do virtually everything I need a phone to do. For my own use, I find Tasker far more useful, along with a bigger screen. I can already voice-dictate into any app that has text input- have no idea if Apple has the same, but doing without that is a no-go for me.

If I could get Siri + Tasker + bigger screen device + voice entry in any text field of any app, then great, I'd be all for it.

Pretty sure iPhone already has everything bolded. .

 

[Red Storm]

FYI for Android users, if you want to be able to create calendar events with voice, this should do the trick:

Add GEvent (48368) to your contacts, and name it “Magic Calendar”

Using Google Voice Search, say "Text Magic Calendar message goes here"

That should add your message as a calendar event. Technically it's creating a calendar event via SMS, but since you can send texts via voice, the end result is calendar notices via voice. Don't see myself using it, but it seems people are interested in it so I'm passing the info along.

I'll test it myself in a few minutes and see if it actually works.

Edit: Well it does work. I had to register my phone to accept mobile calendar creation (google.com/calendar), did that and was able to schedule an event with a specific date and time. Neat, but I already use StatusNotes to create my quick notices.

Edit 2: Another interesting tidbit I haven't seen mentioned. With Vlingo's InCar setting, you don't have to use an earpiece or press anything on your phone at all. You can just say "Hey Vlingo" and it wakes up, waiting for your voice command. So I can create calendar events, send messages, search and navigate, listen to songs, all without even having to press one button. That is the type of true hands free functionality I was looking for in that other thread in the Apple sub forum.

 

[Zaap]

Pretty sure iPhone already has everything bolded. .

I figured Apple must have voice entry in any text field- that has to be smartphone qualification 101. How is it done exactly? ( I have no idea.) I'm holding my wife's iPhone 4 right now- opening an app- text feild. In Android, the keyboard has a microphone icon that then lets you input via voice. I don't see that in iOS. How is it done?

As for Tasker- what offers Tasker-like function on iOS? I'm curious to try it and see how I like it.

 

[trmiv]

I figured Apple must have voice entry in any text field- that has to be smartphone qualification 101. How is it done exactly? ( I have no idea.) I'm holding my wife's iPhone 4 right now- opening an app- text feild. In Android, the keyboard has a microphone icon that then lets you input via voice. I don't see that in iOS. How is it done?

As for Tasker- what offers Tasker-like function on iOS? I'm curious to try it and see how I like it.

Is it running iOS5? On my 4S everything that opens the keyboard has a microphone to the left of the spacebar.

 

[Zaap]

Is it running iOS5? On my 4S everything that opens the keyboard has a microphone to the left of the spacebar.

Ah. That must be it. Nope, her's is still running 4.2.8. I haven't gotten around to upgrading hers to 5 yet since she needs to back it up first.

 

[Rottie]

Siri doesn't matter to me because I am hearing impaired so what is it for me? Apple think every hearing impaired people CAN talk???