After last hebdomad ’s iPhone 4S unveiling , Siri was one of the most talked - about features . With Siri , the iPhone 4S will be capable to answer just about anything you ask it , from the weather report to nearby point of involvement . It can also register content and notifications aloud and even let you order content of your own instead of swear on the phone ’s on - screenland keyboard .
There ’s only one drawback to Siri : Unless you ’re planning on upgrading to the iPhone 4S , the feature is out of your compass . And Siri Assistant — the app on which Siri is based ( and whichApple acquired last year)—has already disappeared from the App Store ; the app willstop work on October 15 , so even existing Siri Assistant user confront a potentially silent futurity .
Not to occupy , though , iPhone 4 and 3GS owners — you need n’t neglect out on the voice - restraint playfulness . The App Store persist in to bid many apps that provide a fortune of the same sport iPhone 4S possessor will get with Siri — and those third - political party apps are usable for free in many cases . Here are a few worth hold out .
Dragon Go
Nuance ’s Dragon Go app underwent an update last month to fork up a much improved vocalism serve to users . The free app do work on all iPhones and third- or 4th - contemporaries iPod touches ( if you practice an external mike ) . It ’s simple to apply — just say what it is you ’re look for , and Dragon Go will search hundreds of depicted object provider to hand over the best answer to match the question . For example , for those wanting to heed to songs by a certain creative person , Dragon Go will find that artist on Pandora , Last.fm and Spotify ( for premium users of that euphony service ) . It can also help call a taxi , appear up dear restaurants nearby , and pour movies .
Google Search
part credit plays a spectacular purpose in Google ’s mobile search tool . or else of typing in a Google hunting query , Google Search allow representative commands to conduct a search . The app also exploit your phone ’s proximity sensor ; just bring up the headphone to an ear and talk to go a hunting . In improver to straight searches , the app also uses locating to help find movie times , local restaurants , and more .
Vlingo
Vlingo is a great multitasker . By using articulation commands , drug user can prescribe an email , textual matter substance , tweet or Facebook status , make a call , locate a place , or research the web . When talk to , the app sends the vox command to Vlingo ’s server , fall the answer in text edition var. . To habituate Vlingo , simply say one of four dictation before the request : come up , lookup , social update or call . The free app provides canonic search functionality ; for $ 10 , you’re able to add e-mail and textual matter message command .
Voice Camera Pro
Unlike the apps above , Voice Camera Pro is design to serve specifically with one native iPhone app : the built - in camera . Instead of solicit around the normal photographic camera app , Voice Camera Pro uses fairly obvious voice commands to launch the app ’s photographic camera , take a picture , catch your photo subroutine library , and share photos . It also summate a few fun extra , such as snap up to four pic consecutively . In loud atmospheric condition , you may need to use an extraneous mike ( such as the earphone , mic , and outside pair your iPhone ship with ) to understandably conduct your command , but it ’s worth a try for $ 2 .
Voice Control
Do n’t forget — your iPhone 4 or 3GS already come with some voice - recognition functionality ( as does the third- and fourth - generation iPod touch ) . The native Voice Control feature of speech should really be pay a little more credit — it ’s not only good for calling people hand - barren , but can also FaceTime contacts ( on the iPhone 4 ) and control your music . Voice Control can additionally list artist names , shuffle playlists , omission tracks , or wreak music similar to the current song performing . For many user , Voice Control — access most easily by harbour down the Home release on your twist — is quite suitable for their needs .
