- Quick specs
- Price: Free; paid upgrade available $17.95 to buy
- Operating system: BlackBerry OS 2.x/3.x/4.x
- Date added: May 06, 2009
- Total Downloads: 21,650
- Downloads last week: 551
- See full specifications
- CNET editors' rating: stars
- Average user rating: stars out of 6 votes
See all user reviews
CNET editors' review
Reviewed by: Jessica Dolcourt on May 05, 2009
This stellar voice-transcription application does more than search the Web or place a call in response to your spoken command. Vlingo lets you get specific, searching Google or Yahoo and updating your Facebook and Twitter status. You can also launch applications, write notes to yourself, and verbally compose a text or e-mail message.
Added support in version 3.0 also lets you vocally kick-start activities through your Bluetooth or wired headset, and the app engages a robotic voice to confirm your actions by repeating them to you, such as "Calling Home." It's disappointing that the new premium service yanks e-mail from the free offering, though you can still text other Vlingo for BlackBerry users free of charge. The premium version benefits you by reading the contents of your message back to you, rather than having you view it with yourself. The move to audio confirmation is also a move to hands-free composition.
Vlingo's set-up is still a little laborious, but the step-by-step instructions help you program a fast access key on the phone, and the help file is a good, easily accessed reminder of what you can say and do. Vlingo's transcription may be on the slower side, especially if your connection is weak, but the application makes up for it by creating a voice recognition profile that improves with use, and by letting you preview text before you send anything to the public. Not to mention, it's got the best voice prompt package we've seen.
Watch the CNET video review of Vlingo (BlackBerry):
Publisher's description
From Vlingo Corporation :Vlingo is a voice-powered user interface that unlocks access to mobile phone wireless data services. vlingo for BlackBerry smartphones allow users to speak into their device and have many popular applications carry out their respective functions. This includes dialing your phone, sending an email or SMS, creating and saving a memo or task, opening a web browser and performing a web search, composing a social-networking status message and more.
Version 3.0 expands support for more handsets, adds support for Bluetooth and wired headsets, includes an audio readback of your voice commands, and introduces two premium features--voice dictation for e-mailing and for texting all contacts, not just other Vlingo users.
CNET Editor's Note: Note: Clicking the 'Download Now' button will take you to Vlingo's Web site, where you may register and send Vlingo to your phone.
What's new in this version:
Version 3.0 expands support for more handsets, adds support for Bluetooth and wired headsets, includes an audio readback of your voice commands, and introduces two premium features--voice dictation for e-mailing and for texting all contacts, not just other Vlingo users.
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User reviews
- Average user rating: 0 stars Not yet available
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Showing 2 of 2 user reviewsSee all 2 user reviews
This software version | All versions -
Version: Vlingo (BlackBerry) 3.0
Pros: Works decent...not great
Cons: Unrealistic reinstall restriction if you upgrade to different BlackBerry 30 days or more after purchase. If you do, and either say goodbye to Vlingo or pay again...and again.....and.....again. Each time you switch phone (huh...bait and switch?)
Summary: Ok for the money, as long as you don't switch phones for a year......ridiculous and unheard of in the app world.
I purchased 36 days ago for my Tour. Today I switched to a Curve. Surprise surprise! I can't reinstall. Vlingo policy o... read more >> -
Version: Vlingo (BlackBerry) 3.0
"Great app. A must have for the serious BB user"
Pros: It works. That is the most important thing.
Cons: Price
Only opens BBM, doesn't compose.Summary: I was able to get a copy of full version at no charge. Even if I had to pay though I would have still bought. I do a lot of txt and e-mailing. This has made it a lot easier. It can take awhile as it learns so you may have to go through and fix certa... read more >>
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