SpeechCloud Voice Dialer – Review UPDATED!
By App Type: Uncategorized
Our rating: 
By: Christopher Hassett
Version #: 1.5.2.0
Date Released: 2008-07-11
Developer:
Price: 4.99
User Rating:
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I reviewed a pre-version 1.0 copy of Voice Dialer back in August and was none too impressed by it.
What a difference a few months and a couple of updates can make.
For the sake of comparison I have left the original review below. Let me note upfront however- as much as I disliked this app in August, I am now very much in like with it. For the first time I might actually have a voice dialer that works for me on the iPhone!
I should start by noting that Voice Dialer suffers from the same hardware limitations as all voice dialing apps on the iPhone. Without a dedicated hardware button it takes numerous steps to actually get to the point where you can use voice to dial. That is a hardware issue, however, not an app issue.
That noted, however, once you do get to the app Voice Dialer works quite well.
The initial start up took a while for me since I have 2000 contacts. That is a good amount of data to process so I was not at all surprised that it took a few minutes. Fortunately, however, the process of indexing only occurs the first time you start the app or after your contacts have been updated. (It makes a good case for NOT having your contacts update via MobileMe push.)
After the indexing is complete, using the app is simple. You press the big button marked "Press and Hold then speak a contact name" and speak the name. The only option is whether or not you want the app to dial the number automatically or first offer the selection and allow you to tap it before dialing.
In my use of Voice Dialer I found the accuracy to be quite good so long as I actually said the name the same way that it is listed in my contacts.
Quick Take
Value: High
Would I Buy Again: I would
Learning Curve: Low (however it might pay to take the time to give frequently dialed numbers a unique name to improve accuracy.
Who is it for: Anyone who uses the iPhone for calls
What I like: Voice dialing that actually works!
What I Don’t: No matter how well an app is written (and this is) the iPhone limits the ease of use when voice dialing.
Final Statement: I am thrilled to finally have voice dialing that works! While I don’t see using this all the time (due to Apple’s decision not to include a dedicated voice dial button) I do see myself using it in the car from now on. Well done.
ORIGINAL REVIEW
One of the biggest deficits with regard to the first generation iPhone AND the iPhone 3G is the lack of a voice dialer. It just doesn’t make sense that a smartphone this smart is this dumb in this regard. Because of this I was excited to try the updated version of SpeechCloud Voice Dialer. After using it a number of times there are some clear pros and cons.
Pro-
The app works without training. So long as I said the name I was looking for quickly I found that the application accurately presented the name I sought or a number of names with the specific name as one of the selections. I had not expected it to work but it did.
Cons-
Lag time.
Each time I initiated the application I was greeted by a screen that said-
So I waited, and I waited some more and then a bit more. After that I waited a bit more.
When I was finally presented with the name or names I then had to select the one I wanted. Then is took a bit before the number was connected.
The lag was long enough that I had time to think to myself- "With a lag this long doesn’t this defeat the purpose?"
In fairness I now have about 1800 contacts for the app to sort through which may be responsible for the lag. If I had only one hundred such contacts it might be quicker but I have no way to know. As it stands it is unusable for me.
Quick Take
Value: Low, not usable for me in its current.
Would I Buy Again: Not as it currently stands
Learning Curve: Low
Who is it for: Anyone who misses having the ability to dial by voice
What I like: Accurately identified the name I was looking for most of the time
What I Don’t: Lag time between starting the app and locating the number.Final Statement: This is a good idea and the fact that it does not require training is impressive. If I have not made the point clear enough already let me say it again- the lag time makes it unusable with my 1800 contacts. Suggestion- instead of this app I downloaded a number of the small $.99 applications that allow you to assign on number to a home screen icon for one touch dialing. I now have the three main number I most frequently dial on my home screen and just a touch away.
