Mobile Voice Control Available for Other Sprint Treos

A primary component of the new Treo 755p’s enhanced software bundle in comparison to its predecessors is the “Mobile Voice Control” software developed by Nuance and included by Sprint.

A check of the Nuance web site now reveals that this application is now available for a wide variety of smartphones, including both Palm OS and Windows Mobile-based Treos. In addition to the newly-released 755p, Nuance’s MVC program is listed as being compatible with the Treo 700wx, 700p, and 680. Additional supported platforms are a large range of RIM Blackberry models and the Motorola Q and PPC 6700 WM-powered devices.

Mobile Voice Control is not just a mere telephone number voice dialing application but a voice-activated launcher for a variety of handheld device functions and online services. Advanced features such as information lookups and full e-mail dictation are possible from within the app. An example of a full voice command sequence taken from Nuance’s web site: "Add Appointment: Dinner with Karenna Date: June 7 Time: 12:30 PM" A full listing of the program’s capabilities can be found here.

However, there are at least two major caveats that will preclude a number of users from taking advantage of this application. First and foremost, the app and its related services are designed around Sprint/Nextel’s domestic CDMA/iDEN network. While most of the devices on Nuance’s supported products list are available from other carriers, a Sprint service plan and phone are required to take advantage of Mobile Voice Control’s capabilities. Users on other networks or in other global markets are out of luck at this time.

Another factor that may irk some users is that MVC is a monthly subscription-based service instead of an actual application paid for once and used perpetually. With a recurring monthly cost of $6.00, even a half-year’s use of this program.

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Dead on arrival

dwhitman @ 5/11/2007 2:05:00 PM # Q
While this service supposedly does more than just voice dialing, most of those extras seem like the sort of thing you'd try once for the novelty, and never use again. Good quality general purpose voice recognition software for desktop systems has been available for over a decade, but remains a niche market.

OTOH, the focused application of voice dialing is genuinely useful, so much so that it's included on many low end cell phones. No way I'm going to pay $72 per year for a feature comes bundled on a free phone.

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Other than Sprint

swieder @ 5/11/2007 2:46:37 PM # Q
If this is a Nuance product that why is it not available on other carriers besides Sprint. I use Cingular and would be interested in running this app on my 650.



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Available to other carriers.

leathernuts @ 5/11/2007 3:36:53 PM # Q
I just emailed them and here is their response:

Hello,
As long as the phone is listed on our website it will work. We are contractually obligated to Support Only Sprint/Nextel devices but it works with other carriers including Verizon.


Sincerely,

Nuance VoiceControl

Hopes this helps.

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Some feature

vetdoctor @ 5/11/2007 6:24:14 PM # Q
From the privacy statement: We plan to track your every move,

"...3. Privacy
MVC may store, track and use for its own promotional purposes the following information: your name, email address, cell phone number and carrier and user history. Notwithstanding the foregoin, MVC may forward GPS information to third party service providers in order to respond to requests for service from you.

Brainiac

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Minority Report

joad @ 5/12/2007 3:30:38 PM # Q
I guess we'll have to change "science fiction" to plain old "science"...

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