Overview
Fonix iSpeak is another addition to the growing free and paid voice-dialing app market for the iPhone. With a simple touch of the screen, the app promises to dial your number via voice command.
Functionality
If you can read, then you're going to (hopefully) be voice dialing in seconds. iSpeak's startup screen contains all the instructions you need to enjoy your shiny new app. The interactivity on the bottom of the screen includes a microphone graph which indicates that it has heard your voice command.
When you initially start up the app, you will need to choose between the original iPhone or the 3G model. After that, you'll be presented with the screen above. It is supposed to import your contacts for use with the app as well.
Review
That was about as far as I had gotten until today. I had uninstalled and installed this app twice, and both times, it crashed on me. The few times I had gotten it to the recording screen above, I was able to touch the screen, speak my name and see the microphone register the sound. Then the app says something and... well, does nothing.
I was stuck on the endless app crash cycle and was forced to restart my iPhone (about three times). All other apps were working well. I've played with this app for a while now, trying to give it a fair shake, and well, I can't.
When we originally purchased this app for review, it was $14.99. In just a short time, the price was lowered to $9.99, but they ought to be paying us to test this beta-stage product. I
reviewed Say Who - another voice dialer app - recently, and not only does it work the first time around without troubleshooting, restarting and uninstalling, but... you guessed it... it's FREE.
However, today, I was able to finally get the app working. I don't know what happened. I launched the app just out of morbid curiosity and was shocked to see it startup without issues.
I can say that I decidedly don't like how the app talks to you. Your tendency is to look at the screen to make sure it's finding and dialing the right person after speaking. Yet, the voice instructions it gives you do not come through the speaker. So you have to have the phone to your ear to hear them. Very strange. You find yourself yelling, "What?!! Say that again! I didn't hear you!" at your phone.
I did get it to successfully dial all numbers and contacts I tested it with. The awkwardness of the female computer voice talking to you though is problematic. In addition, the app has slow startup time, and after completing a call, it goes back to the app's startup screen and takes a few more seconds to load up again. If you just want to make one call, then, you have to exit the program by pushing the home button.
Summary
I can't recommend this product to anyone at this time. It's flawed and needs some major attention. About the only thing it has going for it are the printed instructions on the startup screen - if you can get there. There are dozens of glowing recommendations of iSpeak on iTunes, but there are also those having the same experience I am having. Even if it were to work regularly as advertised, I think I'd still have to say, "Why pay to say?" Try out Say Who or another similar app so you don't chance my (and others') experience.
