Develop Bugs

Handsfree functionality: Do I still need a carkit?

Assuming I have my TP2 in a dash holder like this one from Brodit (for navigation purposes):
Since one of the main features of the TP2 is its handsfree functionality, I was wondering, will I still need a (bluetooth) carkit? Has anybody tried using the TP2 handsfree while driving? Could you understand the other person and, more important, could the other person hear you?

This car holder has only a power supply. But there is no hands free function available. For this reason you need a bluetooth headset / carkit.

Handsfree while driving is good. I heard other people loud and clear and they do no not notice any echo (I asked later) and can understand me.
It works while using navigation software too.
So I won't use any extra hardware!

I've stopped using my bluetooth handsfree. The built-in handsfree is just as good, if not better - both for me and for the person I'm speaking to.

What you need and what might be the best solution could be two differnet things.
I'd recommend investing in a copy of Microsoft Voice Command, press one button and you can tell the phone to dial a number or any of your contacts, it saves trying to navigate the phone menus at the same time as navigating the roads
Gordon

GordonTGopher said:
What you need and what might be the best solution could be two differnet things.
I'd recommend investing in a copy of Microsoft Voice Command, press one button and you can tell the phone to dial a number or any of your contacts, it saves trying to navigate the phone menus at the same time as navigating the roads
Gordon
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If only you could dial from the Bluetooth device!

Bright.Light said:
Handsfree while driving is good. I heard other people loud and clear and they do no not notice any echo (I asked later) and can understand me.
It works while using navigation software too.
So I won't use any extra hardware!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
jmak said:
I've stopped using my bluetooth handsfree. The built-in handsfree is just as good, if not better - both for me and for the person I'm speaking to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@Bright.Light and jmak:
Thanks for this good news! This gives me the info to at least try it without a carkit and buy the Rhodium and the Brodit powered holder.

[Q] Recommendation: Which Bluetooth headset to buy (have to work with Voice Dialing)

Hi
My current Jabra Arrow Bluetooth headset doesn't work with the sgs2 voice dialing (Voice Talk). I can fire up Voice Talk from the headset, but the sound/voice from Voice Talk doesn't appear in the headset.
Anyone who can recommend a good Bluetooth Headset for sgs2 that works flawless with Voice Talk?

I have got SE MW600. I love it. I haven't used the voice talk option as it doesn't support Finnish. But I can try it for you.
How do I fire it up? I heard you should be able to do it by saing hello galaxy but it won't launch. First have to start it? Does it stay in the background after that eating my battery?

Thanx!
Just hold down the button on your headset, that should fire up Voice Talk!

Good news about the mw600. Mine arrives tomorrow
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

MW600. Stand alone FM radio, long battery life (for bluetooth), v good quality audio, tiny and light, supports track ID, voice calling. Not a great clip or volume adjustment. Overall the best. Buy it, end of.

Yes, yes, yes: The recommendation of MW600 is overwhelming
But, please, spell it for me: Does the MW600 work flawless with Voice Talk? Is it actually possible to hear the voice from Voice Talk in the earplug and can you command the phone (dialing contacts) from the headset without problems?

Yes it does, you can hear confirmation through the bluetooth headset on the MW600. I bought a Blueant T1 today and it also works with confirmation over bluetooth headset.
The T1 also works by just saying "hey galaxy" not sure about mw600.
Sometimes the T1 says "this feature is not supported on this handset" but you can still call people through voice command. It also gets a bit annoying having to say voice command and waiting for the T1 to say "activating voice commands on the connected headset" then saying call contact.

Thanx, that was just the answer I was hoping for! Unfortunately I can't get the Blueant T1 here in Denmark, but Ebay might be my friend

I presently have the Sony which works very well with the G2x, but I would prefer a cord-free unit and so got the Nokia BH-505. My SGS2 will be arriving on Friday, and I am hoping the Nokia would rock with this phone.
http://cgi.ebay.com/NOKIA-BH505-STEREO-BLUETOOTH-EARBUDS-BH-505-MUSIC-A2DP-/160585882895?pt=PDA_Accessories&hash=item2563aa1d0f#ht_4996wt_914
http://cgi.ebay.com/Open-Box-Sony-DR-BT100CX-Wireless-Bluetooth-Headset-/190537313568?pt=PDA_Accessories&hash=item2c5ce8ad20#ht_4889wt_754

Voyager Pro+ which is available on amazon is the best bluetooth headset which allows multipoint and a2dp as well. I might have used 13 or 14 headsets and this is the best even for noise cancellation, one word amazing.
VJ

I have had no joy with a Motorola H700 and a BlueParrot VXi Expressway. When initiating a call by pressing the button on the headset the audio/mike used is the one on the phone, and not on the headset.
I cannot believe Samsung still has this problem: a couple of years ago I had an Omnia and only a custom ROM with a different Bluetooth stack solved the problem. My last 2 HTC phones worked flawlessly...
This is an important security issue for me, and if anyone has information on what can be done ( I am new to Android) I would appreciate it. When I call using my VXi my callers can never detect I am on a cellphone:noise cancelling on this unit is outstanding, and I want to continue using it.
But if I find nothing to solve this I will have to go with one of the headsets confirmed to work in the maner they should...

BlueAnt Q2
it even come with an Android app

Currently have problems with Plantronics Discovery 975, low quality and stuttering sound. (Not what you asked about but perhaps don't try this unit!)

I have found a workaround to enable Voice Dialing and Digit Dialing from a Bluetooth Headset on my SGS2:
I purchased Cyberon Voice Commander and Titanium backup from the Market.
Titanium backup anables me to <freeze> the vLingo Voice Command so that it disappears from the installed apps, and installing Cyberon enables everyting I want:
- Tapping the button on the headset starts Voice Commander
- Bluetooth headset is connected to Audio and Mic
- I can say: "Call Jim", or "Digit Dial 8045551212", or "What time is it", etc.
The number of available commands is not as numerous as I had under Winmo and Microsoft VoiceCommand, but it suits me for now and the recognition rate is 99.99% with my Vxi Headset.
Be aware that this breaks all VLingo Voice Recognition apps in the phone because <it is no longer there>.
What I would prefer, and will continue searching for, is to have the headset button start Cyberon Voice Commander (since it handles the bluetooth stack correctly), while leaving VLingo active for other applications.
I am sure there is a setting somewhere that controls what application is started when the Headset button is tapped.
Of course none of this would be required if VLingo handled the Bluetooth headset correctly...

Hi, just to let you know. I ended up buying a BlueAnt Q2 headset, and it just works without problems with voice talk!
Thank you for all your Help!
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App

kmadsen said:
Hi, just to let you know. I ended up buying a BlueAnt Q2 headset, and it just works without problems with voice talk!
Thank you for all your Help!
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yay ! told ya, u can't go wrong with BlueAnt
they have a fantastic firmware/bugs support
i just made my brother buy one too

can anyone recommend me a bluetooth stereo headset for the GS2??...I am aware abt the SEMW600...are there any other options? I am mainly looking for music playback and voice calling (2 basic functions)...voice dialing and voice options not really important...

jeandujardin01 said:
yay ! told ya, u can't go wrong with BlueAnt
they have a fantastic firmware/bugs support
i just made my brother buy one too
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seems like the T1 would be superior to the Q2 thanks to the noise reduction; is this right?
I'm convinced enough to buy ONE of the Blueants.

fergusstrachan said:
Seems like the T1 would be superior to the Q2 thanks to the noise reduction; is this right?
I'm convinced enough to buy ONE of the Blueants.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Q2 & T1 are top of the line
T1 is though because it's rugged & have slightly better battery life but it has simple voice commands
remember T1 doesnt come with ear hook so you can't attach it to your ear...
you can get a sweet deal on ebay for the Q2

jeandujardin01 said:
Q2 & T1 are top of the line
T1 is though because it's rugged & have slightly better battery life but it has simple voice commands
remember T1 doesnt come with ear hook so you can't attach it to your ear...
you can get a sweet deal on ebay for the Q2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks garden jean,
I lost something in translation though...
It seems to me that both come with voice control (is one better than the other?), both have ear hooks (according to Amazon), so the differences are that the Q2 (Edit: sorry, T1) is rugged and the T1 has noise cancellation.
Is that right?
Can anyone say which they think is best from a usability point of view?

Activating voice commands via BlueTooth with ICS?

Hey all,
I have a Sena SMH-10 Motorcycle bluetooth headset. Its always paired up and worked with my SGSII perfectly. All calls, music and even voice commands functioned relatively well. Normally, I'd press the "call" button on my Sena, and it would activate the Samsung voice commands with a "what would you like to do?" voice prompt.
Now that I've upgraded to ICS (unrooted, stock SGSII), the call button on the Sena doesnt activate the voice command. The phone pairs up fine, calls, music and notifications come through the headset. But as you know, riding a motorcycle doesnt really allow me to open apps or dial manually on the road!
Anyone have any ideas? Some setting in BT or Voice that I missed?

jonnythrice said:
Hey all,
I have a Sena SMH-10 Motorcycle bluetooth headset. Its always paired up and worked with my SGSII perfectly. All calls, music and even voice commands functioned relatively well. Normally, I'd press the "call" button on my Sena, and it would activate the Samsung voice commands with a "what would you like to do?" voice prompt.
Now that I've upgraded to ICS (unrooted, stock SGSII), the call button on the Sena doesnt activate the voice command. The phone pairs up fine, calls, music and notifications come through the headset. But as you know, riding a motorcycle doesnt really allow me to open apps or dial manually on the road!
Anyone have any ideas? Some setting in BT or Voice that I missed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had big problems with that too...it won't light the screen or ask me what i want unless the screen was unlocked...it worked fine on gb...I'm using cyberon now...
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium

It seemed that ICS broke many features that we were all used to. I'm the same way with the blue tooth headset. I purchased a top-of-the-line Blue Ant G2. worked perfectly on GB, but not on ICS.
I'm about to give up and Odin back to GB before ICS and the maintenance update, when everything worked like it suppose to.
Yeah yeah yeah, ill be giving up the smooth transitions. but ill be getting back my scrolling wall paper, working BT, and a bunch more.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium

I'm having the same problem. I really hope it gets fixed soon! The only function that works is the long press on the BT handsfree (Motorola T505) which redials the last number.
Is this issue also present in CM9?

I'm using stock ICS. It seems to work okay with my BlueAnt. I activate the phone voice command by saying "phone commands" to my BlueAnt.
However, I don't have a headset, I have the BlueAnt S4 handsfree for my car. Haven't finished rebuilding my motorcycle, so haven't bought the headset. Do the headsets have the capability for voice commands? If so, maybe try that and see if it works.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium

Android Revolution said:
I'm using stock ICS. It seems to work okay with my BlueAnt. I activate the phone voice command by saying "phone commands" to my BlueAnt.
However, I don't have a headset, I have the BlueAnt S4 handsfree for my car. Haven't finished rebuilding my motorcycle, so haven't bought the headset. Do the headsets have the capability for voice commands? If so, maybe try that and see if it works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which voice command do you use on the phone, the stock Google one or vLingo? How is your BT/voice command activation setup? Can you get it to take commands when it's locked (my biggest problem)?
I'm interested to see if, perhaps, it's just a matter of settings.

MC helmet BT
I thought mine wasnt working at all.... one push of the button on my helmet and music would stop.... then I tryed it stopped and found that the press of the button would bring up the Voice talk app and if I said Hi Gallexy it would ask what I wantwed to do but the volume would be so low that I wasnt hearing it.... havnt got an answer on what to do yet,,, still working on it...
Thats my two cents

fogrocker said:
I thought mine wasnt working at all.... one push of the button on my helmet and music would stop.... then I tryed it stopped and found that the press of the button would bring up the Voice talk app and if I said Hi Gallexy it would ask what I wantwed to do but the volume would be so low that I wasnt hearing it.... havnt got an answer on what to do yet,,, still working on it...
Thats my two cents
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I went and bought cyberon voice commander and it works perfectly...but it's not cheap 5.99...but it works
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium

Bluetooth voice dialling !

sorry to start a new thread but I really cant believe that my shiney new phone cant voice dial over bluetooth ,,,
really discusted, surely I havent got to root the bl00dy thing just to make it do something that every other phone does by default
If I get nicked for dialling a number while driving I'm gonna sue HTC

Have you tried Vlingo, it's not perfect but it works for me.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app

Try tomorrow , cheers

No joy ... Doesn't work with car kit button

knobbyhtccruise said:
No joy ... Doesn't work with car kit button
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you trying to launch with the car kit button or do you have it running in the 'in car' mode?
I found I couldn't launch with the button but if it's running you can start a call by shouting "Hey Vlingo" and then "Call *contact name* "

ma11en said:
Are you trying to launch with the car kit button or do you have it running in the 'in car' mode?
I found I couldn't launch with the button but if it's running you can start a call by shouting "Hey Vlingo" and then "Call *contact name* "
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yep that works but it kills the battery ...
it should work ' proper'
thanks for the reply though

knobbyhtccruise said:
yep that works but it kills the battery ...
it should work ' proper'
thanks for the reply though
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True, no worries

ma11en said:
True, no worries
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is ridiculous that there is no voice dialing via the car button. Trie multiple 3rd party applications but the voice dialing does not work with the car unit. I cant believe its a dead end.Have written to HTC but i dont expect a positive answer. Its kinda strange as HOX has voice recognition through Google voice but the car unit doesnt read it.

vijayendra16 said:
It is ridiculous that there is no voice dialing via the car button. Trie multiple 3rd party applications but the voice dialing does not work with the car unit. I cant believe its a dead end.Have written to HTC but i dont expect a positive answer. Its kinda strange as HOX has voice recognition through Google voice but the car unit doesnt read it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is kind funny. i had disabled Google voice after trying everything and all kinds of 3rd party applications.Happened to enable it again,connected paired the phone with my JVC car unit,pressed the voice dial icon and Viola! it worked.Even with screen locked,the google voice came on the screen,asked me to say "call and the name or number".worked for all the 3-4 phone numbers i tried.near perfect matches,confirms to dial and works like a charm.Its taking the input from car microphone too.Don't really know what i did,but its working now.

I use pioneer radio with bt (parrot) and it works fine, phonebook, sms notification, a2dp... Worked with every htc i've tryed... Try looking for new sw update for ur bt device mate...
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

Using Bluetooth car kit for Google Now voice actions, should this be possible?

I love Android, but very often I also hate it. Recently I was interested in getting this Bluetooth receiver for my car. The ideal scenario would be to be able to make calls, play songs, and navigate to an address by only pressing the button on this device on my dash and speaking, not touching the phone at all. Sounds great, right? And isn't this what Google Now and its voice actions are all about?
Well, seeing what a sorry state Bluetooth is in on my GNex, I think a device like this would be just about worthless. I have experienced no less than FIVE separate issues in attempting to get this scenario to work with the regular Bluetooth headset I currently own.
1) Bluetooth device disconnects every time I turn screen off. So when I turn screen back on, I have to re-pair the device.
2) The basic functionality of using Google voice actions over Bluetooth at all only works once. After that, it beeps, and then reverts to the handset mic and speaker. If you force stop Google Search, it will work again, but only once.
3) Pressing the button on the Bluetooth device activates old-school voice dialing instead of Google Now voice search. What's the point of this now that Google Now exists? I believe I have fixed this with the Bluetooth Launch app, but we'll have to see if it keeps working.
4) Music quality sucks, as we all know.
5) Google Now voice actions themselves are spotty. Sometimes advertised voice actions just result in regular searches instead. Sometimes it keeps listening for more input even though I've stopped talking, a force stop is required to fix this.
About the only thing that does work over Bluetooth is just regular calls that you initiate via the phone.
Which of the above issues do you experience, and can you share any workarounds? At this point, I honestly don't know what justification Google could give me to use this junk over an iPhone. I seriously believe they do not test anything, and do not care at all about their customers' experiences.

I have my Gnexus running 4.1.2 connected directly to my car's Bluetooth. I use it mostly for music and GPS, then calls sometimes, but rarely Google Now.
1) Doesn't happen to me ever. My phone stays connected until I turn the engine off and pull the key out of the ignition. I heard Bluetooth connection issues started with 4.2, hence why I haven't updated.
2) Not sure about this one. Google Now has always been spotty in my car (takes over 30 seconds to start up) and I'm not sure if it's because of Bluetooth or T-Mobile.
3) I think that's normal. Pushing the call button on my car's steering wheel activates my car's voice recognition system, not the phone's.
4) I use BT most often for music via Pandora and it sounds sounds fine to me. Occasionally there is a subtle skip, which I attribute to the wireless nature of Bluetooth. I would say the quality is 90% compared to wired.
5) Agreed. That seems unrelated to Bluetooth though.
I don't think there is a Bluetooth command for starting Google Now. Don't forget Bluetooth is a generic technology that is supposed to work with all phones, not just Android ones. I used to connect a Sony Ericsson phone for calls.
Except for accepting incoming calls and changing tracks/volume, I still have to initiate most actions by touching my phone. It sucks. Let me know if you find a good solution.
Sent from my Transformer TF101

Yeah, it seems at least some of these issues (the disconnecting, music quality) started in 4.2. #3 might be "normal", but is definitely not how it should be. You mention Bluetooth is a generic technology - this is true, but there doesn't need to be a special command for Google Now, the phone can just choose to respond however it wants to the standard "call" button/command. For example, with an iPhone, pressing the button on the Bluetooth device will activate Siri. Then you can speak any command or query you wish. There's no reason Android couldn't activate Google Now voice search in the same way, instead of the voice dialer.
I've been doing things same as you, doing everything via the phone except for answering calls or redialing the last number. I finally realized how useful voice commands could be when able to be summoned via Bluetooth. A couple simple updates to the Google Search app, and an improved Bluetooth situation in 4.3 could easily clear all this up. But after the many mistakes they've made, I'm not exactly holding out hope.

The newest Google search has an option to listen over Bluetooth in settings not sure what it does.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app

tshelby73 said:
The newest Google search has an option to listen over Bluetooth in settings not sure what it does.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah....all the issues I stated above are with that option checked.

xdp said:
Yeah, it seems at least some of these issues (the disconnecting, music quality) started in 4.2. #3 might be "normal", but is definitely not how it should be. You mention Bluetooth is a generic technology - this is true, but there doesn't need to be a special command for Google Now, the phone can just choose to respond however it wants to the standard "call" button/command. For example, with an iPhone, pressing the button on the Bluetooth device will activate Siri. Then you can speak any command or query you wish. There's no reason Android couldn't activate Google Now voice search in the same way, instead of the voice dialer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah yeah, that's different then. None of the buttons on my car will activate any sort of voice recognition on my phone, because of the voice system in the car itself. Which sucks, because although it may have been advanced in 2009, smartphone voice tech has surpassed it by leaps and bounds, whereas my car software will never get updated.
So I think there's a better chance for an update to make this work for your setup than mine.
Sent from my Transformer TF101

tshelby73 said:
The newest Google search has an option to listen over Bluetooth in settings not sure what it does.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the tip!
I also added a Google now voice command short cut to my lock screen and launcher, so when I'm in the car I can quickly (hopefully) say a command.
Kind of sucks still that the call button doesn't do this, even my old school slider Nokia launched voice commands over Bluetooth.
LOL

I use mine and will do voice commands by pressing button. It will not search though just make calls. On CM based ROM'si have to freeze the voice dialer the ROM comes with or the cm dialer is default. I don't have the listen over Bluetooth checked. Maybe that checked would give me search feature using button.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app