| Voice recognition software and voice synthesis | | | | real failing of the HP iPAC 510 Voice Messenger |
| software are both finding their ways into more | | | | though is the fact that the device relies on voice |
| and more gadgets from navigational systems to | | | | commands to initiate a lot of functions and |
| cellphone, but sometimes this feature doesn't | | | | doesn't come with an alternative way to initiate |
| really work out all that well. That's the case for | | | | those same functions with something like a track |
| Hewlett Packard's new HP iPAC 510 Voice | | | | ball or scroll wheel. The fact that the unit lacks |
| Messenger. The HP iPAC 510 Voice Messenger | | | | the controls to make it work without voice |
| has high ambitions but doesn't quite meet them in | | | | commands obviously makes it difficult to use |
| a way that makes it a practical choice for most | | | | under conditions where the voice commands |
| people. The HP iPAC 510 Voice Messenger is | | | | aren't as effective. |
| basically a smart phone with some pretty | | | | The other problem with this device is that it relies |
| impressive features. It has a two inch color LCD | | | | on voice to compose emails. Besides the problems |
| screen, a pretty standard keypad for a normal | | | | already discussed with using voice in a crowded |
| mobile phone, a one point three megapixel digital | | | | area with lots of background noise, this is even |
| camera built in, and comes with Microsoft's | | | | more frustrating because of the fact that instead |
| Windows Mobile 6.0. The HP iPAC 510 Voice | | | | of converting voice to text, the messages are |
| Messenger also has a fast and easy to initiate | | | | simply recorded in WAV format and attached to |
| WiFi connection that can allow the built in mobile | | | | the body of the email. This would obviously be |
| version of Microsoft's Internet Explorer to explore | | | | frustrating for anyone receiving such a email, and |
| the Internet with ease. | | | | the fact that the device doesn't have a good |
| Most of the HP iPAC 510 Voice Messenger's | | | | physical or virtual keyboard really doesn't leave |
| design emphasis was placed on its voice | | | | much of an alternative. The HP iPAC 510 Voice |
| recognition and voice synthesis features, and in | | | | Messenger also has voice synthesis capabilities |
| many ways that was the source of the device's | | | | which can be used to read emails, but with a very |
| failing. For example, like many other voice | | | | robotic and flat female voice, this will hardly be a |
| recognition systems, the HP iPAC 510 Voice | | | | pleasant experience. |
| Messenger doesn't to a very good job of | | | | It's kind of a shame in many ways that this |
| recognizing voice commands in places with a lot | | | | device isn't better thought out. After all, it does |
| of background noise and unusual word- especially | | | | have excellent Internet browsing capabilities and |
| names- are often misheard by the device. This is | | | | even the voice features could come in handy |
| pretty much par for the course with most voice | | | | under a lot of circumstances, but the lack of a |
| recognition systems whether they're part of a | | | | decent pointing device as a back up for when the |
| portable device, a full blown computer system, or | | | | voice features don't work, is a serious omission. |
| an automated customer service call center. The | | | | |