I figured this was a better place to start collecting data around finding the best solution for hands free phone applications, specifically, handing phone operations while driving. A recent issue has stirred up commotions that users of the My Motospeak application have lost the ability to use the texting features. This issue affects various brands of phones and various bluetooth speaker connections.
I am hoping this thread can help us all to find a good solution to get back to hands free and safer alternatives to being mobile. Reply to this thread to give your two cents on what you use, how it works for you and list of pros and cons for the solution you have found.
I am happy to begin with what I have been using, including the Motorola app, My Motospeak. The ordering is in no particular preference.
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My Motospeak - Cost: FREE, available through Google Play
This app was the first one that I discovered and used for over two years. I purchased a Motorola Roadster to address the need of not having a bluetooth connection within my previous automobile. The Motorola Roadster was very efficient and easy to use. Paired with the My Motospeak application, it really made hands free texting and phone calling safe and reliable. The battery life of the Roadster is long lasting and can conveniently be re-chargeable using the same mini-USB connection that the phone uses. The Roadster has been replaced by the Roadster 2. I am not familiar with the difference of the two models. Optionally, My Motospeak can redirect sound through a pre-determined FM radio frequency (I never used this feature as it requires switching/tuning to different radio frequency)
Pros:
Seamless, hands free texting and phone calling operations.
Hands free operation enabled with single hot button press.
Automatically enables when bluetooth is detected.
Cons:
Circa Dec 22, 2013, mysteriously stopped working with speech to text operations. No ETA on a fix.
My Motospeak will only pair with a Roadster before it can be paired with another bluetooth speaker device.
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Google Now (OK, Google Now) - Cost: FREE - Pre-loaded on new Droids, available through Google Play
New smartphones with Android 4.2 have built in Touchless Control built into the phone. Personally, I only discovered this application through the purchase of a new Motorola Droid Maxx that I recently upgraded to. The app seems to be the Motorola answer to iPhones Siri. The app handles lots of phone operations and it not just limited to texting and phone call operations. The app wakes up with a pre-defined phrase "OK, Google Now". The user must first train the phone to recognize the owners voice and phase pattern before using.
Since I have not really used or tested, I can provide much more about this app.
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Assist - Cost: FREE - Pre-loaded on new Droids
Another pre-loaded application found within new Droid builds. Used by setting predefined profiles used to alter phone behavior when driving, meetings and sleeping profiles. The Driving mode offers a couple of options to read incoming text messages and optionally, reply back with a canned quick reply. New option to edit the canned message is only available with the latest Android updates. Related tot he read out, is to optionally play the read out through the bluetooth connection if enabled. The second profile, Meeting mode, will control the phones notification settings during scheduled meetings on one's calendar. The last profile Sleeping, which silence all the phones notifications and sounds during a configurable time period.
Pros:
Changes phones behavior automatically, based on each profiles type
Can provide auto-reply to incoming calls or messages during the times or events determined by the profiles.
Cons:
Does not offer adhoc texting options
Does not allow more than one canned response.
Drive mode detection is determined by GPS (GPS must be on to detect speed and motion)
Changing settings required having the GPS enabled. Settings can not be changed if GPS is off.
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Dragon Mobile Assistant - Cost FREE, available from Nuance, http://www.nuance.com/dragonmobileapps/
In the course of finding an alternative to the My Motospeak texting issue, I discovered Dragon Mobile Assistant. The program provides good speech recognition and has the same type of control over the phone as Google Now. Application works with or without bluetooth enabled speaker.
I have been using Dragon for a couple of weeks now. I do like the app, though you really have to get used to some nuances of the program (get it, the Vendor is Nuance...) anyway... Here's my additional pros & cons & misc findings. This is not a full list, just features for texting/phoning. I imagine with more time and practice, I can get through the quirks. At least it's giving me back the lost functionality of the My Motospeak app.
Pros:
Accurate, editable messaging.
Can be configured to operate in Drive Mode (without having to turn on a GPS to detect, like OK Google)
Works with bluetooth built into vehicle.
Can add to a message as part of the editing process.
The Drive Mode becomes a widget to add to the phone to ensure drive mode is enabled at a glance.
Cons:
Will not auto play new messages when phone is in vibrate mode.
Does not allow repeating of the new message when read out (or I have not found the right command)
Does not (or I do not a command) to re-read new message because my phone was silent.
Voice detection is too short. Just catching my breath to begin a sentence indicates make it stop and it confirms the text.
Sound for media a playback is not loud enough at times and turning up the radio to listen to a message is not always convenient. Also, when the voice mode is finished, when the radio kicks back on, it is extremely loud and harmful on the ears.
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Hi!Way - Cost: Free, for now, available through Google Play
Though other forums threads, this application was mentioned and I decided to give it a try. The download completed and upon launching, the application required registration with the vendor to be used. I entered the information and registration failed due to a network error. I don't know if this application is still active since there have only been 66 ratings, almost split between 1 stars & 5 starts. If I ever get it to work, I will provide my feedback.