VITO Voice2Go

VITO Voice2Go is a Voice Interface for controlling Pocket PC and Phone Edition devices.

Using your own voice you can dial contacts (either directly or via Bluetooth, cable etc.) and open applications. It supports ALL languages as it recognises YOUR voice! How cool is that

Read on for all the details on setting it up and using it in anger.....



Supplier: VITO Technology
Product: VITO Voice2Go V1.25
Cost: $29.95
Device Support: Pocket PC2003, including Windows Mobile 5.0 (+ Phone Edition versions)
Trial: Yes - 14 Days
Format: zip (740KB), exe (763KB) or cab (1.8MB) downloads. HTML Manual also available (358KB)

Thanks go to Konstantin @ VITO for the review copy







Installation

The package can be downloaded from the VITO website as a zip, exe or cab file (see above).

Installing to the device depends on the file downloaded but once on the device it installs as any other application. I installed to Storage Card as the footprint is about 1.8Mb (see screen shot).


Configuration

VTIO Voice2Go is simply configured using either the applet installed in \Start\Programs (see screenshot) or via tapping and holding with the stylus on the application whilst running in the taskbar. The first things needed to be done are to record the 'Correct' and 'Wrong' voice tags so the program can confirm its actions. You can also record the 'Magic Word' too if you intend to use your device completely by voice.

Remember, using a Magic Word whilst on battery power could seriously reduce the battery life between charges as the program and your device will be constantly 'listening' for your Magic Word. VITO have considered this and there is an option in the settings to just use 'Magic Word' when connected to a power source.






Once in Settings, you can use the top left drop down to record voice tags for other items such as applications. Selecting this gives a list of the installed applications on the device and a few of the more common system settings such as 'Today', 'Backlight Settings', 'Rotate Screen' and 'Memory Settings' to name but a few.

To record a voice tag, tap on the appropriate item you want to record a voice tag for, such as 'Correct' in the screen shot to the left. Then tap the 'Record' button below. Speak clearly into the microphone on the device. You have about 1 seconds worth of recording time, enough for most words or applications. You can then listen to any recorded tag by highlighting it in the list and tapping 'Play' below.

In addition to Applications, other options include 'Contacts' and 'Macros'. I'll deal with Macros later as they are a special case but what simpler way to dial a contact than by speaking their name into your device? Phone Edition users will be saying that functionality is built into their devices and they are correct but those with a standard PDA/Mobile Phone combination this is extremely useful. Naturally the Phone/PDA have to have some form of connection between them and this can be Bluetooth, Infrared or cable. Unfortunately I couldn't test this functionality as the review was undertaken on a Phone Edition device.

Repeat recording voice tags until you have covered all the Contacts and Applications you wish to voice control.... Click 'OK' when done.


There are other options you can tweak too, none of which affect you getting started, they are mainly 'housekeeping' and prefences.

Under the 'General' tab is the option to run Voice2Go after a soft reset, make the 'Magic Word' mode activate when connected to a power source, detect incoming calls so it can play the associated voice tag prior to the ring tone and a few other minor preferences.

The next tab is very useful - 'Backup'. There are only two options here - Backup tags... and Restore tags.... Naturally after all your hard work carefully recording your tags, you don't want to have to re-record them when re-installing following a hard reset such as after a ROM upgrade. These two options allow you to safely backup the tags to external storage card and pull back in once re-installed.

The last option is more graphical in that you can pick from one of the three built in Skins to show off the application. Options are Default_Green, Grey and Black_Tulip. It really is up to you! None are ghastly and all are acceptable.



Using VITO Voice2Go
To get the show on the road, you need to run the application! As seen above, Voice2Go installs a shortcut under \Start\Programs. Alternatively assign a hardware button to it. Such an example would be the voice recording button on your device - but it doesn't have to be!

Once the application is running you will see a microphone icon in the task bar at the bottom right of the screen, highlighted in the screenshot.

If you are using a 'Magic Word' that's you ready! Speak your word into the PDA, you really need to be no more than about 18 inches away for successful voice pickup. Naturally, noisy environments are not recommended, neither are crowded rooms where you are likely to get carted off to the funny farm for talking to yourself!






Those not using the 'Magic Word' for activation need to tap on the application icon in the taskbar to be presented with the menu shown left.

Tap 'Command' and Voice2Go will, after about 1 second, present you with the screen saying it is listening. You will here a beep and you should now state the command. Voice2Go quickly analyses the command and matches it to the tags and presents the one it finds to be the closest match. If correct, say your 'Magic Word' for correct, I used'correct' myself and the program performs the operation. If the match isn't correct, say the 'Magic Word' for wrong, I used 'wrong' strangely enough, and the program will cancel the action it was to perform. You can just tap the Correct or Wrong tabs as appropriate instead of issuing a voice command but if you are going to sit there with a stylus in your hand, why use a voice command application anyway?

I found the recognition engine very good and analysis was quick too. It takes longer for the application to ready itself for the command than it does to recognise and present the option. The main criterion here though is accuracy and Voice2Go scores highly with hardly any false recognitions.


Macros

This functionality is currently in development by VITO and is potentially a strong selling point for the program but before I get into details, just one word of warning! As the implementation of Macros is not yet fully functional, do not rely on it to perform as expected. VITO are keen to hear from users with specific issues so they can work through them and they are aware of the screen mapping issues mentioned here.

If using a device in Landscape orientation, switch to Portrait mode before recording any macros as the macro recorder can get 'very' confused with screen mappings and you can't get out of the recorder in landscape mode without a soft reset yet I have contacted VITO about this and they are working on it as you read this!

Now due to this issue I will reserve further comment on the Macro functionality until such times as the issue is either fixed or withdrawn from the product. At that point I will revise the review accordingly.

They DO work but it takes some effort to get to that stage, something that goes far beyond what you would expect a user to do

The Macro issues have absolutely no affect on the functioning of the core application.



Value for Money?

The program installs as a 14 day trial version so you can try before you buy which is always a good thing from a developer. That said $29.95 is a lot of money for an application on the Pocket PC platform. If you are partially sighted or have issues with dexterity I could see this application being VERY useful to you. Others may find it less so. It definitely does what it sets out to do and it does it accurately and speedily.


Summary

For
Simple to use and set up
Works with any language and accent as analyses your voice
Accurate and speedy analysis of voice tags
Links to Mobile Phones to dial contacts in PPC, giving flexibility when changing phones
Can backup/restore voice tags - useful time saver after hard reset
Really useful to partially sighted and partially disabled people
14 day trial

Against
'Magic Word' usage can seriously drain batteries - use with care
Expensive for what it is
Macro development work still ongoing





Conclusion

4WM Rating 75%

It does what it sets out to do really well and could be a real boon to people who would ordinarily have issues with using a Pocket PC. The main issue is price, it is expensive for what it does and that has to play a part in the decision to spend hard-earned money.

It is well coded with no apparent bugs, Macros aside, and the developer is known for producing good quality applications such as VITO VoiceNotes and VITO ActiveTrace.

I would recommend the trial first, especially if you intend to use the Pocket PC to dial out via a separate Mobile Phone to ensure compatability. Also if you intend to use 'Magic Word' functionality you can test battery drain specifically on your device.

If the Macro implementation is developed into a stable function within the application then the usefullness of the product increases and makes the value argument less of an issue.

A deserving Bronze Medal winner!