IBM Via Voice

[jmagid]

I was wondering if anyone has tried using the Via Voice product from IBM. Looks on paper like a real winner and the price is right.

Anyone have any experience with this product.

Joel:)

[AnswerDude]

Lots of people do not like via voice because it only works in an absolute ideal condition (ie., no background noises). But try it out, may be you'll have better luck. There's another alternative that's getting a better review;
http://www.fonix.com/products/voicecentral/

[RichBoston]

Via Voice came with my 3835. It's a nice gimmick and works OK but isn't very practical for my needs. I bought Fonix Voice Alert which I like a lot and use all the time.

[jmagid]

RichBoston,

Can you tell me some of the differences between the two and why you like the one you are using.

Joel:confused:

[RichBoston]

This will give you a better summary than I can:
http://www.fonix.com/products/voicealert/

While you talk to IT instead of you talking to IT (with Via Voice), that was OK by me as I felt stupid moving around my iPAQ with voice commands. Background noise often required saying things 2 or 3 times and people give you "that's the nerdy gadget guy" looks.

With Voice Alert my appointments are read to me so I don't have to even look up. I can have it read my appointments, tasks or most anything. The two 5 mb voices are excellent. The 1 mb voices are good but only an option if space is a problem. It's very impressive to those that hear it. You can tell it to greet you anyway you want. Mine will say something like: "Richard, you have an appointment in 10 minutes in Bob's office with Bob and Frank about the conference in Chicago."

Via Voice is good, don't get me wrong, but is a software generation or three away from working well enough to be practical. At least you don't have to train the voice like you used to.

Rich