Is S Voice Terrible for you on your Gear S2?

[Ittlebit]

I use it to respond to messages and it works really well even with the TV on. I don't use it for anything else as that part is hit or miss and not worth it, except for asking about the weather.

Note 4 with Gear S2 3G

 

[FitzAusTex]

Just had a software update and S Voice is wayyy better now. It actually feels really fast and doesn't load as long as before. It recognizes regular words well but names can still be a hit or a miss.

what update version did you receive? And are you talking about an update to the Gear app, or firmware that got update on your S2? Do you have the 3G or Bluetooth version? And what country are you in? Thanks!

 

[dornier]

Yes, it's pretty worthless right now. Samsung isn't good about fixing these issues and I'm pretty sure the watch will be returned soon. Really sad as I like the watch.

By the way, I asked S Voice what's 1+1 and the answer was a search result for dog shelters. What in the world? How does this kind of stuff make it out of engineering at Samsung.

 

[Sammuel1973]

By the way, I asked S Voice what's 1+1 and the answer was a search result for dog shelters. What in the world? How does this kind of stuff make it out of engineering at Samsung.

Same experience for me, just plain garbage.

 

[dukeman42]

I figured it was best to reply here, than start a new thread.

S Voice is the one thing that has me really thinking about returning the watch before my window closes on Sunday. Two of the main features I would use S Voice for pales in comparison to Android Wear: search, and reaching my contacts.

Sounds like everyone sees similar issues with search. My test as been "Best buy business hours" or variations on that (like "What time does Best Buy close?"). I got it to give me information on Best Buy once (just an address), but the rest of the time it either gave me a list of other businesses, or random article search results about buying the best TV for the big game.

More frustrating is sending texts hands free. I've tested with a few of my contacts (They are in the 'buddy' list), but mostly with my wife. I have one contact for her in my phone, yet when I say 'text wife,' the watch replies, 'which contact would you like to text?' It gives me one option. Saying 'wife' again just makes it ask again. 'Yes,' 'Ok,' 'This contact' all yield, 'that is not in the list' responses. I've only gotten it to work hands-free by saying 'first contact' on this screen. But that's an extra (and unnecessary) step.

Has anyone else seen the same issue regarding texting? Has anyone found a way to fix it?

Finally, is there any hope that S Voice will be improved in later updates, to bring it closer to Wear? This is the sharpest watch out there. I love the looks and the interface and I want to keep it. But if it's not going to be as functional as other comparably priced watches...I just don't think I can!

 

[nickdeck]

I agree about S Voice, it's a bad joke. If I were still within the return window, I'd return it.

I also agree about it being the best looking smart watch out there, which is why I bought it. But there are other aspects of it that make it less than useful for me, and I have no faith that Samsung will even address the problems in this generation of the Gear line.

I'm sure it won't be that long until somebody produces another smart watch that looks as good or better, and that functions as it should.

 

[A0425A]

I have found that S Voice works best if you slow down your speech. You can't talk st the same rate you would with Ok Google.

 

[slev]

I don't even attempt to use it... If there's any background noise at all it never works. Love the look of the Classic... but honestly, if next year a Moto 360 3 comes out with slightly better looks and has Ok Google on it, then frankly I see no reason to bother with Samsung.

 

[A0425A]

I don't even attempt to use it... If there's any background noise at all it never works. Love the look of the Classic... but honestly, if next year a Moto 360 3 comes out with slightly better looks and has Ok Google on it, then frankly I see no reason to bother with Samsung.

Agree. I'm hoping the next 360 is closer in looks and size to the GS2C. If so then it's a no brainer.

 

[LowIQ]

This is the first time I turned it on to use it....
UTTER FAILURE! IT LOCKED UP MY GEAR S2!
I had to do a hard reset to get it working as before... How Could Samsung not know how useless this is??

 

[dukeman42]

I returned it today. I was about to convince myself I *might* be able to live with the lack of functionality using S Voice...

Until I tried to reject an incoming call on the S2 while I was on another call. The action ended both calls. I thought it was just a coincidence, but the same thing happened a couple hours later.

I guess I'll keep an eye out and see if things improve down the road; I might re-purchase if they fix the issues. But I'm not going to spend this much money on a watch that can't do what I want it to. It can't even keep up with the $150 ZenWatch 2!

 

[LowIQ]

I own several smartwatches.. (Six) but have yet to find any smartwatch to reliably work by 'Voice' in real world environments, Noise and such...
What is more fitting for any smartwatch user is the ease to enter or display information on the wrist, not to replace your mobile device entirely at this juncture by the limitations in technology. The Samsung Gear S2 is certainly on the top of the list for attaining this use in technology.
If? and I do say 'IF'.. you are looking for any smartwatch to be totally reliant on voice specifically, then you won't be satisfied with any currently by their obvious technology limitations, but if you are looking for options in when a noise free environment, then the Samsung Gear S2 is not bad to only second to the Google Android Wear devices, I suspect this will change once the constraints in Google limiting the use of Google Now technology?
I suspect the main reason for Samsung to go with S-Voice is in payment by licencing fees for a product which is still new and not used in high numbers to justify lessening in the profits...
My Samsung Galaxy Note 4 S-Voice works adequately, but not as good as Google Now or better than Microsofts Cortana environment in which in my opinion is better than Googles Now technology.
In reality, I use Microsoft 'Cortana' on my Samsung Gear S2 in which opens on my smartphone (Galaxy Note 4) thru my Bluetooth headset.
I use Tasker for relating to any voice commands I may give, but that is a more complicated manner for most users.
I gave harsh criticism of the Samsung Gear S-Voice version in duly earned for it! as it has problems, but the device itself has many other beneficial uses over the others.
Smartwatches are a very personal device merited by personalities in what people will like or hate in each. What I like may not be things you like or vice versa.
Just to show in that S-Voice does work on the Samsung Galaxy Note 4, I dictated this, ( not easy?, but doable).
The hardest part is to remember all the shortcuts or tips & tricks,
There is much on the Internet in especially Youtube on how to make best use of S-Voice and even here Top 5 tips and tricks for using Samsung S Voice | Android Central
Like everything in technology in there will always be some learning curve to it.. and varies person to person.

 

[Clearcopy]

The watch it's great unfortunately the main feature I use is voice texting but can't cuz it's dog ****. Works maybe once then no response. I hate this watch

 

[rld082982]

The watch it's great unfortunately the main feature I use is voice texting but can't cuz it's dog ****. Works maybe once then no response. I hate this watch

Voice to text? Seriously? I've never even thought of doing that.... seems like a stupid thing

 

[Not So Novice]

It is so terrible that I might have to return an otherwise outstanding watch.. Anyone else having the same experience?

And voice recorder. 30 doesn't do it for standard 60 minutes meetings and 90 minute lectures. Sadly, may too be returning