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Windows 10's browser reportedly lets you search with your voice (update: pics)
Windows 10's oft-reported Spartan web browser may not just be a leaner, fresher substitute for Internet Explorer -- it could have a few tricks up its sleeve, too. Sources for The Verge claim that Microsoft's voice-guided Cortana assistant will be present both in the OS and in Spartan -- much like Chrome's "OK Google" feature, you can reportedly open a new browser tab and ask Cortana to look something up, whether it's a website or your flight itinerary. There's also talk of pen-based annotations for websites that you can share with others through the cloud.
Facebook just bought a speech recognition company
Facebook is clearly eager to check out new interface concepts these days. Just months after its acquisition of Oculus VR wrapped up, it's buying a speech recognition company, Wit.ai. The social network isn't saying just what it plans to do with its new purchase, but Wit.ai's focus has been on a platform for voice-guided natural language interfaces. It's not a stretch to see Facebook giving you ways to dictate your status updates or chats. Also, voice recognition is particularly important for virtual reality, where you can't always reach for a keyboard -- this may play an important role in Oculus' immersive experiences going forward.
Dacor's Android-based ovens take voice commands from an app
We don't often write about ovens here, but when we do, we tend to come back to a brand called Dacor. Here at CES 2015, the 50-year-old company announced that it's adding voice activation to the phone and tablet app for its Discovery iQ Android-powered ovens plus ranges -- and we're looking at a base price of $8,999. While the existing app already comes with a remote control feature (including temperature, cooking mode and oven lights) plus recipe browsing, the new voice control saves you the hassle of tapping buttons, so long as your phone or tablet is on the same WiFi network as your oven.
3D talking map can help the blind find their way
The Perkins School for the Blind in Massachusetts just got a high-tech installation to help keep their students from getting lost around campus: a three-dimensional map that talks. Its miniature Monopoly-like buildings and other elements (which were 3D printed, by the way) are coated in conductive paint, so they can recognize when they're being touched. If someone does, the map will announce the building's or any other structure's name along with directions on how to get there. Some areas feature sound effects, as well -- a fountain gurgles, for instance, while a bell tower rings. Plus, it has a three-button menu that one can use to browse a spoken list of locations.
Now saying 'Ok Google' to your Android phone can search inside apps
Android's Material Design facelift is eventually going to trickle down into the entirety of Google's services, but for now the folks in Mountain View are just trying to make sure all its apps look consistent. The latest in a long line of Android apps to get the redesign treatment is Google's Search for Android, but that new look just might be the least interesting thing about it. No no, with the update in place, you can just speak and have Google search within apps installed on your phone. Itching to pull up tracks on TuneIn or get cracking on your holiday travel plans through TripAdvisor? All it'll take is a quick "OK Google" command to get things started.
Google finds that teens use voice search more than grownups
Want to do what all the cool kids do? Talk to your smartphone, apparently. Google has commissioned a study showing that American teens are considerably more likely to use voice search on their devices than adults. About 55 percent of the 18-and-under crowd uses Cortana, Google Voice Search or Siri more than once a day, while 41 percent of grownups do the same. That number climbs to an even higher 75 percent for teens glued to their phones 11-plus hours a day. Younger users aren't worried about social stigmas, either -- they're far more likely to use voice commands when friends are around (57 percent versus 24 percent). About 45 percent of adults, meanwhile, are self-conscious about their geekiness when they speak to their devices.
Over 65 million voice samples guard your bank data from scammers
Two-factor authentication might be all the rage these days, but it sounds like there could be an even more secure way of protecting against fraud -- your voice. It's being employed by major banks including Wells-Fargo and JPMorgan Chase to weed out scammers who call financial institutions armed with the info gleaned from cyber attacks, according to the Associated Press. The system combines recorded voice samples with blacklists of repeat calls from would-be criminals, and has reduced fraud attempts by as much as 90 percent so far. And if you're wondering where the banks have gotten these 65 million-plus voice samples, well, we've all likely heard the familiar notice that a call may be monitored or recorded before being connected to an operator. So, that explains that.
Google Voice can now receive MMS from almost 100 North American carriers
If you use Google Voice for your text messages, you're well adjusted to its biggest flaw: the service just doesn't play nice with most carriers' MMS settings. Today, that's changing -- Google says that the service now supports MMS from nearly 100 carriers in North America, including AT&T, Bell Canada, Rogers, Telus and more (but not Verizon). Unfortunately, Mountain View wasn't able to provide us with a full list of supported providers, but it's definitely a step in the right direction. Now if only we could get the ability to send MMS messages, too.
Ray Ozzie's 'Talko' app is not the right productivity tool for the Atlanta Hawks
New team collaboration / messaging apps are seemingly everywhere, from Trello to Slack to (now Microsoft-owned) Yammer. A new entrant Talko is interesting not only for its pedigree -- the team is led by Lotus Notes co-creator and former Microsoft Chief Technical Officer / Chief Software Architect Ray Ozzie -- but because it marks a return to the days when our phone was a tool for voice communication, instead of primarily text or pictures. In an introductory blog post, the Talko team describes an app that lets users talk, share and do. The idea is that communicating by voice while everyone is online is easier and others can catch up with the conversation at any time since the data is cached on Talko's servers -- Danny Ferry would probably not approve. Right now the app is iPhone only, while Talko says Android and web apps are on the way.
Voice acting in Warlords of Draenor
There was a moment in the Warlords of Draenor beta when I realized that I was getting a quest from Frank Welker. Aka Megatron. Aka Nibbler from Futurama. Aka a million other voices. The man has 728 credits as an actor on IMDB, and here he is, doing a voice in the Warlords beta. Specifically, Reshad the storekeeper. See, they recently added a ton of voice acting to the beta - pretty much every character you interact with has significant voice work put into it, and for the most part it's frankly stunning. I'm not trying to exaggerate here, but the difference between this expansion and, as an example, Lady Sindragosa's Betraaaaaaaaays you dialogue is night and day. Heck, just pop over to Frostfire Ridge at level 90, or run through the Tanaan Jungle opening, and you'll hear a variety of voice actors, more so than World of Warcraft has ever boasted.
Google Hangouts gets a facelift, adds Google voice and VoIP calling
Google Voice and Hangouts have coexisted for a while, and while Google has pushed Hangouts as its primary messaging and chat platform, news on Voice has slowed to a trickle. Now, as TechCrunch reports, Google is revamping its Hangouts app to include Google Voice functionality and giving the app a new look at the same time. The new Google Hangouts app features the same chat functionality as before, along with free VoIP calling to numbers in the U.S. and Canada, and of course no-cost calls to other Hangouts contacts worldwide. Calls to certain international numbers will see a rate drop as well -- you can check the current prices on Google's calling rates table. Those with a Google Voice number will now get calls directly in Hangouts, and Android users will see voice and text messages appear as regular text chat in the Hangouts app. This last bit of functionality won't be available on iOS right away, but it's on the way. The app update is currently rolling out, so be sure to tap that update button as soon as it's available on your device.
Star Trek Online announces more Voyager cast members in Delta Rising
When you're out exploring the Delta Quadrant, you want people around you who have been there before. It's a big, unfriendly place, after all. Star Trek Online players will have a bit more help than they had previously expected, though. In addition to Tim Russ (Tuvok) and Garret Wang (Harry Kim) reprising their roles from Star Trek: Voyager, Ethan Phillips (Neelix), Jeri Ryan (Seven of Nine), and Robert Picardo (The Doctor) will be making appearances in the game. No details on these appearances have yet been revealed, although Neelix is likely still in his role as ambassador, and the game's backstory has Seven of Nine working with the Daystrom Institute. It's likely that more lore will be uncovered as the expansion approaches its release this fall. [Source: Cryptic Studios press release]
Warhammer 40k: Eternal Crusade discusses Razer Comms integration
Warhammer 40k: Eternal Crusade is positioning itself to be a blend of MMO elements with third-person shooter elements, and like its source material that means everyone's trying to shoot everyone else. So you're going to need a way to communicate with other players, and if typing out "please help me shoot these guys" is going to take too much time, you'll need a voice chat solution. The development team behind the game has taken this fact to heart, and rather than forcing players to rely on a third-party solution, it's working on integrating the Razer Comms system into the game directly. This also includes filters to help you fully immerse yourself in the setting, tying the game's normal sound and voice chat together. If that sounds like something you'd like to see in action, take a look at the full announcement for more explanation of the integration and what it offers the players.
Firefly Online brings the crew back together (for voices)
Despite the name, Firefly Online isn't really an MMO. But it does feature online interactions, and perhaps more importantly, it does feature the original cast together again. If you were hoping to hear Captain Malcolm Reynolds growl at you while you played the game -- and let's face it, odds are almost certain you were -- you can be happy to know that the main cast will be reprising their roles for the first time since the movie. Alan Tudyk will also be voicing multiple roles, and Michael Fairman will be playing Niska, who is apparently hiring if you're none too worried about your conscience bothering you. The game is set to release in 2015 on multiple platforms.
Google Voice offers web-based calls through Hangouts, no G+ profile needed
The rumor is that eventually we're going to see Google Voice merged completely into Hangouts, and that's getting even closer to becoming reality. You can now make phone calls via Hangouts directly from the Google Voice website, no Google+ necessary. As Mountain View's Alex Wiesen notes on G+, the new feature is listed as an option in the "phone to call with" drop-down box. It seems a bit minor, sure, especially when you consider that Hangouts is already how you make phone calls from within Gmail -- but any updates for the oft-neglected service are welcome, right?
Google Maps for mobile now helps bikers avoid steep hills
Summer's in full swing and the weather's nice, so how about ditching your gas-guzzlin' ride for something human-powered? If you do, Google's latest update to Maps on mobile wants to help make biking a little easier. New features for two-wheeled transportation include routes based on elevation so you can avoid any strenuous climbs and, as Android Police reports, there's apparently a tool to compare different itineraries based on elevation as well. Should you to stick to a car for getting around (air conditioning is awfully nice), Mountain View didn't forget about you, either. A handful of voice commands have been added for checking what traffic is like ahead of you, estimated arrival time and next-turn reminders, among others. Unlike the familiar "OK, Google" voice-prompt though, these orders aren't fully hands-free just yet.
GM wants voice-controlled cars that learn what you really mean
Voice control is easy to find in cars, but it's not always intuitive. You often have to use specific syntax, which might be hard to remember when you're barreling down the highway. GM may have a smarter approach in store, though. The Wall Street Journal understands that the automaker is working with machine learning firm VocalIQ on an "advanced voice-control system" that would let you control navigation, wipers and other car components in a more intuitive way.
Vodafone's WorldTraveller makes roaming cheaper in eight expensive countries
Vodafone's decided to do away with itemised roaming charges in eight far-away countries, today announcing that customers will be able to use their existing voice, text and data allowances in the USA, India, Australia, New Zealand, Egypt, Ghana, Qatar and South Africa for £5 per day. This WorldTraveller add-on complements Vodafone's existing EuroTraveller offering, which covers allowances in numerous European countries for £2 per day (£3 after August 31st). However, both bundles fall noticeably short of Three's Feel at Home service, which offers free roaming in 16 countries, although Vodafone does cast a wider net than its rival. To opt-in, pay monthly customers can dial 5555 when they touchdown in any supported country, and they'll only be charged for days they use the phone.
Sainsbury's teams up with Google to stop you wasting food
It turns out that us Brits are a wasteful bunch. Studies suggest we're throwing out as much as £60 worth of food and drink each month when we could be putting it to better use. Instead of trying to convince you to head over to one of its stores to replenish your supplies, Sainsbury's has teamed up with Google to create a tool that provides suggestions on how to use the food you'd otherwise be chucking out. It's called Food Rescue, and Google plays a small but vital role in proceedings by lending the same voice-recognition tech that powers its search engine to the supermarket's new mobile and online tool. When you visit the website, you can say (or type) what foodstuffs you have an it'll find a range of recipes that use those ingredients. In a bid to get more people involved, the supermarket chain will record the weight of food rescued and calculate the money saved in each recipe. That information will then be added to a real-time leaderboard of top 'rescuers' across the UK. You say tomato, I say tomato, it'll still work the whole thing out.
Google voice search adds car rentals and reminders that work like they should
Car rentals is typically an exercise in utter frustration. Now, even if a little, Google's latest voice search update might help. "When is my rental car reservation?" are the magic words, pulling together your booking numbers, pick-up and drop-off dates in a card that's been part of Google Now since last year. More broadly, the voice search can now program reminder alarms, too, completely hands-free. Oddly, the voice-based reminders prior to this update required a button-press to set the alarm, which pretty much defeated the point of the thing.
