Google Mobile event to be held Thursday, Android video calling to debut?

Google has announced a new voice recognition application and an app which allows users to send content with one click to phones running Android 2.2 -- both of which are available for download now -- at a press event in San Francisco earlier today.

The voice recognition app, dubbed 'Voice Actions' by Google and available for download now, allows users to speak actions into their Android smartphone and even dictate messages and emails simply by speaking. While many other devices, including the popular iPhone (although commands supported leave much to be desired), offer voice recognition features, Voice Actions has perhaps the most comprehensive offerings, with current actions available including:

* 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]

All voice proccessing is done on Google's servers rather than the phone, with the upcoming Motorola Droid 2 to become the first phone to have the application pre-installed when it ships. Those with a Nexus One device that has been updated to Android 2.2 can download the application from the Android Marketplace now, although support is limited to US English for the moment. Google says more languages will be available "soon".

The Chrome to Phone extension meanwhile allows users who browse the web using Google's own web browser, Chrome, to with just one click send the current web page they are on, a map, YouTube video, or even selected phone number or text over-the-air to their Android phone - which must be running the latest version of Android, 2.2 (or code-named Froyo).

Earlier speculation that Google may have announced better support for video calling for Android, to rival Apple's FaceTime application, proved false, with the search giant choosing to reserve any such announcements for a later date - perhaps October, when Android 3.0 is widely expected to be unveiled.
 
Just experimented with the voice actions with very very mixed results... guess its not so forgiving with pronounciation.
I spoke the words:
"I've booked the friday off work so I'll be down for the bank holiday" as an email and it gave me:
"I love it when you leave today sex movie down for the love sponge holiday"......!!!! lol
 
ethos said:
Yes, with crap phones, crap data packages, crap data network etc... etc...

Apple have made it pretty appealing with the new iPhone, works over wifi and doesn't eat into your monthly minutes (a great plus in my opinion).

For those saying "omg it needs to work over 3g" obviously don't understand the requirements for smooth video/voice.

Is it going to change the world? No.

Is it a nice additional use for the additional camera? Yes. Couples / family etc can chat for free and with video. I don't see the problem.
Click to expand...

How can Apple have made it appealing? It only works via Apple iPhone 4 to Apple iPhone 4 devices - it appeals to Apple iPhone 4 customers, which will be a small % of phone users.

It's actually a pretty dumb feature, unless you're prepared to go find a public WiFi service whilst out and about - it's only going to be useful in the home or work place where you have WiFi access.
 
Rimsy said:
Just experimented with the voice actions with very very mixed results... guess its not so forgiving with pronounciation.
I spoke the words:
"I've booked the friday off work so I'll be down for the bank holiday" as an email and it gave me:
"I love it when you leave today sex movie down for the love sponge holiday"......!!!! lol
Click to expand...

What phone do you have as I tried it on my Desire but can only get the map and call functions to work. It wont do things like write sms/emails, set alarms, write notes etc.

I can phone places and navigate etc
 
You have to set your "Voice recognizer settings" input language to English-US for all the functions to work.

Downside is, it doesn't work that well due to obviously not having an American accent.
 
If Google can fine tune the software so it recognises the voice commands efficiently, I think it will take off. The software may be problematic for people who have strong accents I would think.
 
I've used Chrome2Phone daily since I installed 2.2ROMs 2~ months ago, it really is made of win.
 
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