Just like
Google Maps and
Qik, Vlingo is one of those cool mobile apps that looks like it's come straight from a futuristic sci-fi film such as Blade Runner or Total Recall.
The 'wow factor' from Vlingo comes from the fact that it lets you order to your phone to do things for you just been speaking into it. Using the program couldn't be simpler. You just hold down the Voice key on your device, wait for the tone, then speak your command. When you've finished speaking, release your finger and Vlingo will do the rest.
Vlingo comes with a guide of what you can say to your phone and how to say it. For example, to search the Web, you say: 'Search concert tickets'. The app then calls up your browser and performs a Google search for the term 'concert tickets'. There are also commands for voice dialing, dictating (then sending) text messages and emails, opening apps and even making notes to yourself using your Nokia's notepad. The only slightly annoying thing is that you need to exit out of the browser before performing a different voice command (or else it will just enter what you said into Google).
I was impressed by the accuracy of Vlingo. Sure, at first I had a few problems getting it to search for 'Softonic', but I soon realized if I spoke slowly and deliberately clear, Vlingo would pick it up. Besides, the software has the innate ability to learn how you sound and improve its speech recognition over time.
Of course, there's always some catch with something as impressive as Vlingo. In this case it's the fact that the program uses your Internet connection whenever it's in use. This can be pretty pricey if you don't have a data plan, so I wouldn't recommend this program for anyone who pays for data rates as they go.
Vlingo is an amazingly simple voice input app that could genuinely change the way you use your phone forever.
