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General discussion

No Bluetooth Voice Dialing from Android Phones ?!?!

Jan 18, 2010 6:24AM PST

As I continue to research the various Android options, this one surprised me: There is apparently no BT Voice-Dialing capability (at present) with the various Android phones. From what I've read, it's because of the way Google deals with the voice dialing functionality -- something that's breaks the BT spec. One is left with having to first unlock the phone and maybe put it in speaker mode and go through a menu. Um, last I checked, that does NOT constitute "hands free".

Can any Android phone user verify this? This would definitely be a deal breaker for me. See here (and scroll down to the end of the page for the most recent posts):

http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=1181&colspec=ID%20Type%20Status%20Owner%20Summary%20Stars

Discussion is locked

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No Bluetooth Voice Dialing from Android Phones ?!?!
Jan 18, 2010 6:27AM PST

Doesn't Google voice use voice dialing on Android phones

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I have voice dialing on my iPhone
Jan 18, 2010 10:03AM PST

And I've never found a need to use it... It's easier to press a few buttons than to talk to a device.

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I think you're missing the point...
Jan 18, 2010 12:21PM PST

You can't be holding a cell phone while driving here in many places in the U.S. That's not to say people don't do it, but there are already many states with laws against it. Hence, you need "hands free" capability. The Androids will work fine in Hands Free for incoming calls, but --from what I'm reading-- they don't work in voice dial mode with Bluetooth for outgoing calls. You'd have to be punching buttons on the phone, and that's not permitted while behind the wheel. And whether it was permitted or not, it's still a potential safety issue. Hands Free/Bluetooth should work on both incoming and outgoing calls.

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Ahh
Jan 18, 2010 12:35PM PST

But isn't your mind just as distracted by the conversation, whether it's hands free or not? I mean Tom Merritt brings this point up often too. A phone call is distracting because you know you have to pay attention to it so you know what to say next.

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True...
Jan 18, 2010 9:37PM PST

That's a whole 'nuther issue. Right now the emphasis is on keeping people's eyes on the road. In terms of distraction while talking, I guess there's any number of ways one could be distracted, such as by listening to the radio/mp3, daydreaming, etc. But the idea is that if people are at least looking at the road, that's half the battle.

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Its not a philosophical issue. Its a legal one.
Apr 6, 2010 9:45AM PDT

One situation will get you a ticket, the other will not.

Of course it took apple forever\ to come up with native voice dialing too (not until the 3gs) so I'm not too quick to point fingers at Google. But it does seem like an invitation to a lawsuit. Most cell phones in the US come with cheap headsets these days so the carriers can deny responsibility if you do something stupid and claim they never encouraged you to break the law.

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Incomplete bluetooth capability
Mar 2, 2010 7:56PM PST

I presently have the Motorola Cliq, it does not support true hands free dialing. Needless to say, I was shocked when I found this out. I never imagined in a million years something so important would have been deliberately omitted!

I've tried to get answers as to if there is a fix coming, but to no avail. It's like a giant cover up from both the manufacturers and the mobile carriers. They know full well what is going on, but try and act ignorant to the fact. Unbelievable! The response from a Motorola tech rep was as follows 'it's how the phone was designed sir' My response to him was 'say what!'

Trust me they are all aware of the problem. Google have this issue on their 'medium priority' list on the android development page. This is a huge safety issue. What's it going to take for them to bump it up to high priority? A mega million dollar lawsuit? Yeah that might get their attention!

Come on you guys, step up the plate and admit you screwed up. Resolve this important issue now.

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Moving
Apr 6, 2010 9:32AM PDT

Trust me they are all aware of the problem. Google have this issue on their 'medium priority' <a href="http://www.sanaldizi.net" title="dizi izle ">dizi izle</a> list on the android development page. This is a huge safety issue. What's it going to take for them to bump it up to high priority? A mega million dollar lawsuit? Yeah that might get their attention!

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You are correct nada handsfree
Apr 6, 2010 12:10PM PDT

I myself purchased an android phone, and promptly returned it for
a Samsung Highlight (which does support true handsfree dialing)
I am still in awe that something so important was not available on the
latest and greatest new phones! Insane anyway you look at it. To sum it up,
android phones designed by androids.