Ashley Posted January 27, 2017 Share Posted January 27, 2017 We were talking at work about voice command on phones and I seemed to be the only one that used it. I tend to use it while cooking so I can set timers hands free, but also tend to set Google Keep voice notes for myself when I'm out and about and can't be bothered to type. And its not quite the same, but I do leave WhatsApp voice messages with a friend (sometimes for practising Italian, mostly just because I'm too lazy to type). Do any of you guys use it? On your phone, tablet, computer, console or whatever? What about out in public? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happenstance Posted January 27, 2017 Share Posted January 27, 2017 (edited) I dont use it on my phone but now I have the Amazon Echo I've definitely become a lot more comfortable with it. I do still get the occasional "who are you talking to?" though which brings me back to feeling self conscious about it. EDIT: Oh and I used to use it on my old Smartwatch to do simple stuff like set a timer for cooking. My new one the voice command is different and I still haven't bothered to learn the activation words! Edited January 27, 2017 by Happenstance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob Posted January 27, 2017 Share Posted January 27, 2017 I never use it. Half because I just assume it won't work, and half because I'm worried I'll sound like a twazzock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goafer Posted January 27, 2017 Share Posted January 27, 2017 I use it if I need to change the sat nav whilst driving, but that's about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raining_again Posted January 27, 2017 Share Posted January 27, 2017 i never use it, it doesnt understand my accent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V. Amoleo Posted January 27, 2017 Share Posted January 27, 2017 I think I'm in the same group as Happenstance. I never used to use it on my phone but since I've had an Echo it's certainly becoming more 'normal' for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoogleViper Posted January 27, 2017 Share Posted January 27, 2017 I don't use it. Never works that well; the voice recognition isn't great, but it never even initialises for me. There's only so many times you can shout "OK GOOGLE!!!" before you give up and smear your greasy fingers across the screen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinist Posted January 28, 2017 Share Posted January 28, 2017 I use it with the echo all the time but I'll never touch it on my phone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashley Posted January 28, 2017 Author Share Posted January 28, 2017 I don't use it. Never works that well; the voice recognition isn't great, but it never even initialises for me. There's only so many times you can shout "OK GOOGLE!!!" before you give up and smear your greasy fingers across the screen. You sure it's not just forgotten who you are? Mine did. Sometimes, for reasons unknown, Google Now doesn't retain the commands you have given it. If all else fails, it might be time to re-train your digital companion. In order to do this, you'll need to go to the Google Settings App, locate the Search & Now option, followed by Voice then OK Google detection. Now just hit Retrain Voice Model and say "OK Google" three times, as you did when you initially set it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
somme Posted January 28, 2017 Share Posted January 28, 2017 (edited) I use it daily to set alarms. And when I'm drunk and need to google something and can't be bothered to type out the question. I would use it even more if we had the Star Trek computer's voice instead of Siri: Star Treks’ original series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, and Voyager all have one actor in common: Majel Barrett-Roddenberry (wife of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry). She voiced the iconic computer for all those series, letting captains know what various atmospheres are composed of and which decks are breached. Barrett-Roddenberry was the science fiction precursor for Siri and Google Now, the same way the communicator was the precursor for the cell phone. And even though she died in 2008, she still might be part of the upcoming show Star Trek Discovery. Roddenbury Entertainment revealed on Twitter this week that Barrett-Roddenberry’s voice was phonetically recorded. This means she can be the computer’s voice for a new ship. Majel's voice is recorded phonetically, & we're working to get her voice for things such as Siri, maybe voice of the computer on #STDiscovery This is great news as-is, but it gets better: we might possibly see a wide release for this library. It’s too early to know what that might look like, but we could live in a world where Barrett-Roddenberry’s iconic voice lives in our phones, reading notifications and directions to us during our own adventures. Edited January 28, 2017 by somme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goafer Posted January 28, 2017 Share Posted January 28, 2017 I don't use it. Never works that well; the voice recognition isn't great, but it never even initialises for me. There's only so many times you can shout "OK GOOGLE!!!" before you give up and smear your greasy fingers across the screen. You sure it's not just forgotten who you are? Mine did. Yeah, it's worth checking. I've always found it quite accurate. Of course, like everyone, I use my super clear but slightly unnatural voice when talking to it. Seriously, why is it impossible to talk naturally when talking to voice recognition? I always end up talking like these guys: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Posted January 28, 2017 Share Posted January 28, 2017 I'll 'HEY SIRI' if I need a cooking timer, that's about it really. I once had a very friendly homeless man give me a full demonstration of voice recognition on his Android smartphone outside Euston station. He was very polite and respectful to Google, ensuring he offered thanks for every piece of information provided. This remains one of my more surreal recent memories. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EEVILMURRAY Posted January 28, 2017 Share Posted January 28, 2017 You sure it's not just forgotten who you are? Mine did. Isn't it already programmed to acknowledge the OK Google sound? Either way I don't use voice shizzle. Only when searching for something on the Google and I can't be arsed to type it in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Posted January 28, 2017 Share Posted January 28, 2017 I use my Echos (big one in the kitchen, Dot on my desk) all the time, love them. Mainly used for music but also use shopping list, alarm, timers and reminders. WHen I'm cooking I'll often ask Alexa questions about converting units and stuff. Really useful for that. As for Siri? The only time I'd ever want to use it is in the car but even though my car is really quiet it can never hear me say "Hey Siri". My friend who has problems using his hands uses Siri all the time though and that works really well for him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashley Posted January 28, 2017 Author Share Posted January 28, 2017 Isn't it already programmed to acknowledge the OK Google sound? Either way I don't use voice shizzle. Only when searching for something on the Google and I can't be arsed to type it in. You have to set it up in the first instance but it seems sometimes it forgets and you have to retrain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shorty Posted January 30, 2017 Share Posted January 30, 2017 I use siri for a countdown, alarm, or reminder, but anything else I just feel a bit silly. i never use it, it doesnt understand my accent I use my Echos (big one in the kitchen, Dot on my desk) all the time, love them. Having experienced both your accents first-hand, I'm finding something hard to believe here :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob Posted January 30, 2017 Share Posted January 30, 2017 I actually tried using Google to send my wife a text the other day. It worked surprisingly well. I can imagine trying it in the car, or something similar, but I'd feel very subconscious trying it anywhere public. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashley Posted January 30, 2017 Author Share Posted January 30, 2017 I sometimes send WhatsApp voice messages while out and about (you can at least hold your phone and pretend like you're on the phone), but yeah I probably wouldn't say "OK Google, remind me to do something at 2" out and about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob Posted January 30, 2017 Share Posted January 30, 2017 I sometimes send WhatsApp voice messages while out and about (you can at least hold your phone and pretend like you're on the phone), but yeah I probably wouldn't say "OK Google, remind me to do something at 2" out and about. I was thinking more: OK Google, text my wife - "Hi Snookums, can you pick up the cream from the pharmacy on your way home? OK, love you loads, bye" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashley Posted January 30, 2017 Author Share Posted January 30, 2017 I was thinking more: OK Google, text my wife - "Hi Snookums, can you pick up the cream from the pharmacy on your way home? OK, love you loads, bye" That's why I ask that kind of thing in a foreign language. I did send a voice message while walking down Oxford Street last week to someone in Italian asking the proper verb to use for masturbation ("do" or "have"). As it turns out you essentially say "I need to do a wank to myself". Also "wank" in Italian is "sega". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cube Posted January 30, 2017 Share Posted January 30, 2017 I never use voice commands. I just feel awkward using them, and I really hate when a phone customer service system makes you say stuff instead of pressing buttons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Posted February 1, 2017 Share Posted February 1, 2017 Having experienced both your accents first-hand, I'm finding something hard to believe here :p Haha, I'm also very surprised. Echo works far better than Siri. Scottish accents generally don't work with voice commands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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