REVIEW: Combining speech-rec and GPS info returns slick results

Editor’s Note: Welcome to Yay or Nay, a feature for RCR Wireless News’ new weekly e-mail service, Mobile Content and Culture. Every week we’ll review a new wireless application or service from the user’s point of view, with the goal of highlighting what works and what doesn’t in the mobile content industry. If you wish to submit your application or service for review, please contact us at rcrwebhelp@crain.com.
Application: Voice search by Live Search for mobile
Running on: Moto Razr, with service from Sprint Nextel
Yay: Snappy application that smoothly integrates voice-recognition technology with GPS-based positioning.
Nay: As with just about any speech-rec service, not everything is understood. And the mapping function desperately needs to be integrated with the directions, so that you can see your route to a specific location laid atop a map.
We say: Despite some relatively minor drawbacks, this application offers a glimpse into the future of speech-recognition-capable, location-based services.
Despite the distinct lack of a catchy name-“Voice search by Live Search for mobile” is as close as Sprint Nextel and Microsoft get to giving a name to their new Java-based location app-the companies’ offering combines a number of useful functions into a surprisingly effective location-based service. Speech-based input? Check. Mapping service? Check. GPS positioning? Check. And, most importantly: Easy to use? Check.
Microsoft’s offering, available for free on a handful of Sprint Nextel phones, stems directly from the software giant’s recent acquisition of Tellme Networks in a deal rumored to be as much as $800 million. Indeed, the new search service looks and acts much like Tellme’s initial foray into the space, before the company was acquired by Microsoft, albeit with one key difference: The application processes GPS signals. Thus, users don’t have to tell the application where they are via a city or ZIP code since it already knows.
Less typing is always better.
After downloading and installing the application, users are instructed to search for a local business name by pressing and holding the phone’s “talk” key. Pressing the key apparently sends the user’s voice query to a server, where it is decoded, coupled with the phone’s location, and returned with a list of nearby businesses that match the query. The list of results is tabulated by distance from the user, and clicking on any of the results allows the user to call the business, see its location on a map or get driving (not walking) directions to it.
The speech-recognition portion of the service worked relatively well, although my request for “Furr’s Restaurant” returned only businesses with the word “first” in their name. Thankfully, users can type their queries as well as speak them, in case of any misunderstandings.
The results from the service were detailed and usable. Users can elect to call the business directly, view a map of its location or get directions from their current location to the business. The maps provided were crisp and easy to read-a critical feature on devices with 2-inch screens.
However, the service displays driving directions to various businesses as a numbered list; it does not provide a highlighted route on a map. This glaring drawback contrasts significantly with Google’s Maps for Mobile application, which offers both detailed, numbered directions as well as a highlighted route.
Those of us prone to getting lost need both options.
Overall, Microsoft’s Tellme-based move in the location-services market is worth noting, and likely stands as the first of many offerings from the company’s acquisition.