News
More signs of voice control found in iPhone OS 3.0
More evidence pointing to the possibility of a voice control feature in iPhone OS 3.0 has been found in the latest beta version of the software. Citing anonymous sources, Ars Technica reports that a number of references to classes and methods related to the code name “Jibbler” have been discovered in the software, which appear to suggest support for both voice synthesis and voice recognition. References to Jibbler, which appears to be an enhancement to the iPhone’s home page SpringBoard application, include VSSpeechSynthesizer, VSRecognitionSession, SBVoiceControlDisableHandlerActions, SBSensitiveJibblerEnabled, and SBVoiceControlSoundCompletion. Ars adds that SB refers to SpringBoard, and VS likely refers to voice services; the report also suggests that the feature may be activated by the in-line button on the headset, and could be used for voice-controlled dialing, along with iPod nano 4G and iPod shuffle 3G-style audio feedback. Prior screenshots of the upcoming OS update showed a Voice Control menu option in the Settings app.
Related Stories
- Apple sued over iPhone, Apple TV wireless interaction
- AT&T doubles upgrade fee to $36
- Apple sues Motorola in U.S. over Qualcomm patents
- Apple airs new Siri-focused iPhone 4S ads
- Apple asks European standards body to set Frand rules
- iPhone accounts for 40% of new Sprint customers in Q4 2011
Comments
If you have a comment, news tip, advertising inquiry, or coverage request, a question about iPods/iPhones/iPad or accessories, or if you sell or market iPod/iPhone/iPad products or services, read iLounge's Comments + Questions policies before posting, and fully identify yourself if you do. We will delete comments containing advertising, astroturfing, trolling, personal attacks, offensive language, or other objectionable content, then ban and/or publicly identify violators.
Recent News
- Apple to offer audio stream of presentation by CEO Cook
- Apple nabs top spot in corporate reputation study
- Rokform debuts Rokbed Fuzion for iPhone 4/4S
- NPD: Apple top electronics brand of 2011
- Incase teams with Shepard Fairey on iPhone case
- Apple sued over iPhone, Apple TV wireless interaction
- Apple exec Cue accepts Grammy honoring Steve Jobs
- ThinkGeek intros iCade 8-bitty game controller
- Apple requests audits of Foxconn by FLA
- Apple sues Samsung, seeks to block Galaxy Nexus in U.S.
Recent Reviews
- Cygnett Metalicus for iPhone 4/4S
- Cygnett Platform Universal Tablet Stand
- Cygnett FlexiView Adjustable Stand for iPad
- FLOS / Philippe Starck D’E-light
- Twelve South HoverBar for iPad 2
- Cygnett Apollo for iPhone 4/4S
- Case-Mate Pop! ID for iPhone 4/4S
- Case-Mate Pop! for iPhone 4/4S
- Case-Mate Pop! With Stand for iPhone 4/4S
- Solid Line Products RightShift 2 Removable Keyboard Case for iPad 2
Recent Articles
- iOS Gems: Adventures of Tintin, Reckless Racing 2 + Scramble With Friends
- Ask iLounge 2-3-12
- Making The Case For - And Against - An Apple iTV Television
- Instant Expert: iTunes U for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch
- Instant Expert: Secrets & Features of iBooks 2.0
- iLounge’s 2012 CES Best of Show Awards: Honorable Mentions
- iLounge’s 2012 CES Best of Show Awards: iPod, iPhone, iPad + Mac
- iOS Gems: Bug Princess, Dora Hops Into Phonics, It’s A Small World, Sleepy Jack + X Is For X-Ray
- The Complete Guide to Managing iTunes Videos
- Editorial: As CES Grows, Will Microsoft’s Loss Be Apple’s Gain?
1
A few thoughts on this:
1. Built-in voice dialing is already covered by 3rd party apps, but integrating this into the OS is a no-brainer.
2. Voicemail transcription like Google Voice or Jott would make the iPhone’s claim of “visual voicemail” completely accurate. I’d love to see my messages without having to play them back.
3. I’d like to see voice synthesis in the SDK toolkit so apps can speak back to us, Macintalk-style. One obvious application would be an update to Kindle and Stanza ebook software to read text aloud, which would be a cheap audiobook replacement while driving. This is already built into the Kindle 2 hardware. The computer voices don’t compete with a proper human reading performance, but would be nice to have as an option.
4. Voice feedback for the iPod is likely, but is there anyone who cares about this? Maybe my imagination is failing me, but I don’t get the appeal.
Posted by jindofox on April 21, 2009 at 9:45 AM (PDT)