What is S Voice like?

[Mikhailov]

I'm just curious. I'm a long time iPhone owner who is seriously considering the switch to the S3. I have a Mac and an iPad, but as far as phones are concerned, I want more than what the 4s and rumored 5 give me. I already plotted out my switch:

I'll use handcent SMS for group messaging and Emoji. I have my music uploaded to Google Play and Amazon MP3. 99% of the apps I have are available on Android, and others like Game Boy emulators I can't do unless I jailbreak (I likes my mobile Pokemons).

But I'm ranting. The only thing I'm weary about is S Voice. I have a dock in my car connected to the car's Bluetooth. I can use Siri right now to place calls and send texts hands free (aside from touching the home button, which is very accessible next to the shifter. Siri comes out of my car stereo. Will I have the same luck with S Voice?

Thank you in advance for your help.

 

[rjenkin41]

Siri is better, but it's better with the more detailed things (and the things I find to be pointless like long questions - just Google it, no need to talk to a cell phone to find an answer to a question) . Overall, s voice isn't that great to be honest but it will meet the demands listed above (texting and other basic functions).

Now if s voice doesn't meet your expectations, Google voice is very very good and pretty much as good as Siri when it comes to hands free texting.

This is just my opinion. I've tested Siri and of course I own the galaxy s3 now.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Android Central Forums

 

[KreepyKen]

S-Voice has a long way to go. I tried to use it to open a bunch of apps today...it will only open pre-configured apps (ones that came with the phone). It recognizes when I say "Open app chrome," prints it back on the screen correctly, then asks me what app I want to open.

 

[GK3K]

To me, like Siri, it's a gimmick. I get laughs out of it. There's nothing wrong with that.

I've used it to set alarms, set timers to check the laundry and a few other minor tasks.

I agree with KreepyKen. S-Voice has a way to go. But, I also believe Siri has a way to go too.

 

[CaneToad]

For my South African accent its crap. Its also variable.

Sent from my Galaxy Tab using Tapatalk 2

 

[Mikhailov]

Siri is better, but it's better with the more detailed things (and the things I find to be pointless like long questions - just Google it, no need to talk to a cell phone to find an answer to a question) . Overall, s voice isn't that great to be honest but it will meet the demands listed above (texting and other basic functions).

Now if s voice doesn't meet your expectations, Google voice is very very good and pretty much as good as Siri when it comes to hands free texting.

This is just my opinion. I've tested Siri and of course I own the galaxy s3 now.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Android Central Forums

Thanks for the opinion. As long as I can ask my phone to "call dad" or "text (insert first name here), from the car, I'll be happy. I don't really use Siri for much else. From what I've seen, it looks like Google did a much better job than Samsung.

One more stupid question, can you set it so S Voice is activated by holding the home button, and Multitasking is set by double tapping? Old habits die hard lol.

 

[Tampaguy75]

I may be wrong, but I don't seem to be able to get S Voice to work when I have my phone hooked up to bluetooth in my car. The sound of S-Voice comes through the car speakers, but it is as if the microphone is disabled and S voice says it cannot hear me. Interestingly, though, Google Voice does seem to work with bluetooth in my car. S-Voice does work with my bluetooth stereo headphones, though.

 

[BEARD GANG]

Its all about google now...

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[GK3K]

Its all about Google now...

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Android Central Forums

Even without S-Voice, I much prefer Google's Voice responsiveness.

I.E. Navigate to XYZ, Send text to Mary: I'm heading home, etc.

 

[rjenkin41]

Thanks for the opinion. As long as I can ask my phone to "call dad" or "text (insert first name here), from the car, I'll be happy. I don't really use Siri for much else. From what I've seen, it looks like Google did a much better job than Samsung.

One more stupid question, can you set it so S Voice is activated by holding the home button, and Multitasking is set by double tapping? Old habits die hard lol.

I'm not sure. That's a good question - as of now, all I know is that s voice is activated through a double tap

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[GK3K]

I'm not sure. That's a good question - as of now, all I know is that s voice is activated through a double tap

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Android Central Forums

As rjenkin said, yes, the double-tap activates S-Voice.

I disabled it as pressing the Home button when you are in any app delays the return to home by a second or so because it's waiting for the second tap. It's a very short delay, but noticeable.

What I did was add the S-Voice icon in my tray, so I get the best of both worlds. Instant fast response to pressing the Home button and access to S-Voice.

I also placed the S-Voice icon on my lock screen for even quicker access.

 

[Mikhailov]

Thanks for the input! Helps me prepare for the switch. I sadly need to wait until August to get mine, though.

 

[snork]

S Voice is still very rough around the edges and the majority of things I ask for returns me no answers and just offers a google search instead. It will add calendar items and play music though, so that's not so bad.

 

[Mikhailov]

Siri is better, but it's better with the more detailed things (and the things I find to be pointless like long questions - just Google it, no need to talk to a cell phone to find an answer to a question) . Overall, s voice isn't that great to be honest but it will meet the demands listed above (texting and other basic functions).

Now if s voice doesn't meet your expectations, Google voice is very very good and pretty much as good as Siri when it comes to hands free texting.

This is just my opinion. I've tested Siri and of course I own the galaxy s3 now.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Android Central Forums

Will the s3 have Google voice right off the bat, or is that coming with Jelly Bean?

 

[eriksahn]

My girlfriend has Siri and never uses it. The more she does, the more she seems to hate it.

Honestly it's the same efficiency, less personality from S Voice.

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[anon(823957)]

To me, like Siri, it's a gimmick. I get laughs out of it. There's nothing wrong with that.

I've used it to set alarms, set timers to check the laundry and a few other minor tasks.

I agree with KreepyKen. S-Voice has a way to go. But, I also believe Siri has a way to go too.

Agreed, it's good for a few laughs...

Sadly that's not even what I was trying to say to it.

Sent from my Galaxy S III using Android Central Forums

 

[Mikhailov]

That's awesome! S-Voice is dirtier than Siri!

I really just need it to text from the car and understand "call (insert first name) or "call my brother." If it can do those simple tasks through my car's Bluetooth speaker I'll be happy.

 

[Pdelponte]

i recently switched from a iPhone4 to a GS3 and love it. S-Voice however is not my favorite feature. Its decent for sending texts handsfree but I dont need to text and drive so i dont use that feature that much. I ended up disabling S-Voice and havent really missed it.

 

[QBert]

FWIW, you could also look into using Vlingo. I have it installed on my DroidX, but to be honest I don't really use it so I can't speak to how well it works, but it does have many of the functions you are looking for. Maybe an NFC tag in your car could automatically launch the app?

 

[zack7687]

S-voice blows plain and simple. I try to use it but its slow and never gives me the answer I am looking for and suggests a web search. I can just use google search and skip s voice.