I've had my new iPhone for a few days now, and so I thought I'd share my observations. Apple touts this phone as having several new features, but some of those are simply part of the 3.0 OS upgrade (which is available to anyone with an iPhone). The unique features of the new iPhone are: (1) faster processor, (2) directional compass for better GPS functionality (3) video and better camera, and (4) voice commands.
- "Call [name of person]"
- "Dial [phone number that you say, slowly]
- "Play music"
- "Play songs by [name of artist, spoken clearly and carefully]
- "What is this song?"
If you want to know what commands are available just invoke the Voice Command and look at the words scrolling by on the screen. These are your options. You won't have long to look before the Voice Command disappears. But the point is that you can learn by looking as you first begin to use it. Eventually, you will learn how to use this tool to call your frequently dialed contacts. When that happens you'll find that you are able to operate the phone without taking it out of your pocket (or your purse).
- Take phone out of pocket
- Swipe to turn on
- Navigate to phone, and then to contacts within phone
- Slide finger carefully along right side to zero in on the contact I want to call
- Tap the contact's name
- Locate the best phone # to call for that contact
- Tap the desired phone #
Now, I do this if the phone is in my pocket and I have the headset in my ear
- Hold down the middle button (equivalent to the 'Home button') until Voice Command announces
- Say "call John Appleseed [short pause] mobile'
- Wait for confirming announcement, which if correct means I just wait for the phone to start ringing.
If you don't a headset you still have to perform the first two actions of the old sequence. That takes a bit of time, but it's not too bad. But, trust me, once you get used to being able to use the Apple headphones you'll find life suddenly becoming A LOT easier.
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I’m thrilled about finally having cut and paste capabilities, as well as being able to send and receive multimedia texts, but I have to say that for those of us in the legal profession with many contacts (I personally have a couple thousand business contacts I’ve built up over the last few years) the phone is still incredibly slow.
Voice commands are a big step forward for the iPhone, but the earphone-cord tangle tango every time I want the convenience of not dialing by hand seems counter-productive. Will voice commands work with a good Bluetooth headset, such as the Jawbone?
Ernie – you’re now 2/2. I bought the Kindle on your recommendation and loved it, and now have finally joined the iPhone fanboy community. (Can you believe it took me this long?!)
After reading this, I started trying to figure out how to convince Robin that I needed to spend more $$ to buy the upgraded headphones to take advantage of the voice command… only to find out that the headset included with the phone has the remote functions. Had no idea!
Thanks for writing this up. Loving the phone, and hopefully I’ll have some hacks to share w/you before long. 🙂
Do I have to have the Apple headset? Is there a way to use Voice Commands without a headset?
Hey Jim:
The new version of iPhone OS (3.01) is supposed to provide support for bluetooth voice command. I’m not sure how it will work if you have to hold down a button, but I’m sure it will work well on some headsets and not well on others. I hope yours is among the favored.
I don’t use the iPhone for dictation. I liked Jott, but I found I didn’t use it as much as I thought I would. I have too many places to create notes as it is.
Ernie:
Thanks for the great tips. I have been using Voice Command without the headset and loving it but I understand the benefits of the headset. I just hate those damn tangled cords so I have been holding out for a blue tooth headset…Don’t know how long I will have to wait…..
A related question: Are you using your iPhone for dictation and if so, what app are you using– Jott? I want to adopt an iPhone dictation strategy but I am not sure where to start…..
Thanks, Jim_________________________________________James B. Reed, Esq.Personal Injury & Malpractice AttorneyZiff Law Firm, LLP303 William St., Elmira, NY 14901Tel. (607) 733-8866 Fax. (607) 732-6062Toll Free 1-800-943-3529mailto:jreed@zifflaw.com https://www.zifflaw.com
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