Microsoft Voice Command : Superb Voice Control on your Pocket PC!

Microsoft Voice Command transforms your Pocket PC into your own virtual personal assistant, letting you use your voice to look up contacts and place phone calls, get calendar information, play and control your music, and get key device status and information. Voice Command makes it easier and more convenient than ever to take your digital lifestyle with you wherever you go.

The state-of-the-art speech technology means you will never have to pre-record important phone numbers or use difficult commands to access the information you need. Simply select one of the many commands that is most natural to you and let Voice Command do the rest.

Note: The best thing about Voice Command is that it requires NO voice training! :) Just talk and go!

I purchased Microsoft Voice Command US Version 1.0 around early 2004 and enjoyed, amongst other things, being able to bring up and call contacts in my address book with only the touch of one button and speech.

At this point in time, I was so caught up in using it that I forgot to make a backup. So I was left in the lurch after a hard-reset. In desperation, I logged back into Handango and tried to purchase another copy however was this time the purchase was refused because I was not an American customer?! I think was due to all the rumours and complaints that MS VoiceCommand US Version 1.0 was not suited to non-U.S. accents. So there I was stranded; without voice control on my O2 XDA IIs, having to do pocketPC tasks 90s-style.

Good news this week! On Mtekk (www.mtekk.com.au - technology forum), someone posted that there was now an updated version of MS Voice Command which was available to customers outside the U.S.! Within a couple of minutes, I had downloaded MS Voice Command UK Version 1.5 and began testing out the new features. This is the best in its class!

[Try out the Microsoft Voice Command Demo here]

Features of MS Voice Command 1.5 UK Version:
Voice-Controlled Hands-Free Phone:
- View contacts with a single voice command.
- Place phone calls by name with a Phone Edition. ("Call Jon Sulte")
- Place phone calls by number with a Phone Edition ("Dial 0412 430 289")
- Callback and Redial the last caller with a Phone Edition.
- Incoming calls are announced by name or number.
- Missed calls are announced by name or number with a single command.

Voice-Controlled Calendar Lookup:
- View your calendar with a single voice command.
- Have the subject, time, and location of upcoming appointments read to you.
- Appointment reminders will read the details of your appointment aloud so you do not have to look at your screen to find out what is coming up.

Voice-Controlled Media Player:
- Use your voice to select the music you want from your collection by album, artist, or genre.
- Choose to control your music with your voice or use the large button interface just like radio buttons on your car stereo. (portrait display size 320x240)
- If you are listening to new or unfamiliar music you can ask "What song is this?" and the name of the song and artist will be read to you.

Voice-Controlled Utilities:
- Start any program in the Start menu or programs folder, such as Inbox, Calculator or Solitaire.
- Check signal strength, battery level, time, and day by voice.
- Low battery level alert by voice.

Get Microsoft's Voice Command at Handango and experience a new-level with your PocketPC!