Vlingo 2.0 for iPhone: E-mail, SMS dictation now cost

Vlingo is a voice app that's been around awhile in the mobile space, but a new version for iPhone is causing some uproar.

Jessica Dolcourt Senior Director, Commerce & Content Operations

Jessica Dolcourt is a passionate content strategist and veteran leader of CNET coverage. As Senior Director of Commerce & Content Operations, she leads a number of teams, including Commerce, How-To and Performance Optimization. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on iPhone and Samsung. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds. Jessica began leading CNET's How-To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones and home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick (UK).

Expertise Content strategy, team leadership, audience engagement, iPhone, Samsung, Android, iOS, tips and FAQs.

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Jessica Dolcourt

March 5, 2010 3:52 p.m. PT

2 min read

Vlingo is an app that's been around awhile in the mobile space, but a new version for iPhone is causing some uproar. With Vlingo for iPhone 2.0, the company commits the sin of opacity by updating its rather good voice search and dialing application to version 2.0 without making it clear that you can only unlock the intriguing new features with your wallet.

Those familiar with Vlingo's BlackBerry app won't be surprised. There was an equal outcry when Vlingo introduced premium features for the first time, including switching a feature that had once been free to the paid category.

To recap, Vlingo's free voice app can search the Web, dial contacts, map a location, and update Twitter and Facebook with your voice--for free. You'll have a chance to edit before posting. Since computer-aided voice transcription is far from flawless--whether you're using Vlingo or Google Voice (see flubs here)--you may befriend that edit screen, especially when you're in noisy environments, when you're mumbling, and when you speak too quickly for Vlingo's rather sensitive electronic ears.

Vlingo 2.0 for iPhone — Vlingo's SMS feature needs some work. Screenshot by Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

It doesn't help Vlingo's case that one of the two new premium features, which you can get by way of an in-app purchase, doesn't work very well. There's e-mail dictation and SMS copy that copies the transcription of your voice recording to the iPhone's clipboard, but you then have to paste the text yourself into the SMS field before sending it. For $6.99 as a standalone feature, e-mail dictation might be worthwhile; however, its SMS copy feature is not. For $9.99, you get both features, which would be a good deal if the SMS feature didn't require the hack.

Those who don't mind separating e-mail dictation from Vlingo's other voice-triggered features, there's always the free Dragon Dictation app by Nuance Communications (the folks who mainstreamed T9 text input method for cell phones.)

Sorry, Vlingo. We like you, we really do, but either the pricing has to go or the SMS tool does. However, there's no need to delete or avoid Vlingo 2.0 if you're not interested in buying into the new features. Voice search, dialing, and status updates work as they did before the update (hilarious and editable mistranslations included), and these are still free.

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