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Google Android Voice Actions - useful, but worth a press conference?
Google announced a new Android feature called Voice Actions today, and it's useful, but maybe not a big enough deal to warrant the press conference they held for it. Voice Actions allows you to control your Android phone (2.2 Froyo only) with spoken commands: you can send email, call any contact, get a map of a location, load a webpage or leave a note to yourself. Here's the full list of commands:
- 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]
Plus, of course, the existing voice command to run a Google search.
It's somewhat useful, especially if you need to do things on your phone while driving, but seriously? A press conference? I feel like Google should be saving those for its big, iPhone-killing announcements, instead of underwhelming us with a handy but not-so-revolutionary feature.
Oh yeah, there was also that push-to-phone thing, but we already knew about that, too...
Comments
12
Subscribe to commentsNish HegdeAug 12th 2010 8:05PM
Hasn’t the iPhone had similar functionality for a while now? Even though Android’s implementation looks to be more detailed, it doesn’t seem like this merits a press conference… also like all voice control it will probably fail.
kojo87Aug 12th 2010 8:21PM
i agree that it doesn't merit a press conference. but i do not agree that all voice control fails. my (albeit limited) experience with Google's voice commands has left me fairly impressed. the voice commands for Google Maps on my BlackBerry work quick well.
Nish HegdeAug 12th 2010 8:40PM
That’s true - the technology is getting better all the time.
The only practice I have ever had with Google voice control is the iOS app, so I suppose I can’t really speak for all voice control. It was a lot better than Apple’s implementation for sure though.
Even so, this is a competitor feature that they have improved on. If this is the best they can trumpet then so much for the power of competition. :
DebAug 12th 2010 10:03PM
It is worth a press conference. I, the end user, want to know when there is something new, and for those considering a purchase - it's one more check in the "buy it" column. Love this! The speak it and it shall be done functionality is awesome.
Good JobAug 16th 2010 11:07AM
I think just an official press release would have sufficed.
Personally, the GOOG has got me a bit annoyed lately. I don't expect magical from Apple, but I do expect magical from GOOG and lately, I haven't been impressed...
benAug 13th 2010 3:51AM
The same company who held a press conference just to tell you how they think the internet should be regulated. And how much they love the internet, also how they represent open internet.
So yeah to google, it's worth a press conference.
Level 5Aug 13th 2010 8:49AM
Wow, one more reason I need to mount an Android Tablet in the car.
SugarDaddyAug 13th 2010 9:09AM
I can only see myself using something like this in the car where no one else is around to catch me speaking to my phone.
EatmoldAug 13th 2010 12:23PM
Had a play with this today, fails miserably with actions in the UK. Changed speech rec language to English (US) now actions working great. Problem though: The listen to command, which is supposed to support Spotify, says download a music app that supports the listen to function.... Anyone manage to get it working with Spotify?
RaoAug 14th 2010 3:53AM
It is not so much about mounting the device in a car. On the contrary, this technology is ground breaking in so many levels outside of the mobile phone industry. But even in the mobile phone industry, the form factors of the phones are so small that it is irritating to type in all the words or to navigate to a particular app. This is truly revolutionary in multiple levels, again Google has seen the future which you haven't.
mrbeen38Aug 24th 2010 7:01PM
I agree. After playing with this for a few days I have realized that it did warrant a press conference. Unlike many previous incarnations of voice input, input by voice action actually works well. Like really, really well. After just a few days of use, I have found myself not wanting to type on my EVO's keyboard. It is so much easier speaking out whatever I want to do. And the integration with Google maps and navigation is just awesome. Not too far down the road, I think folks will start realizing that Google's Voice Actions are a total game changer.
KrazyCalvinAug 14th 2010 4:53PM
Note to self: Get ass wart removal cream for giant wart on ass.