Confirmed: You don't need a data plan for Android voice-to-text texting!

[Frak Jones]

This group and elsewhere was confusing on the answer of whether you need
a data plan to use Android voice-to-texting features.

Some say you needed a data plan; others said you didnt.
Most didn't seem to realize the question was *only* regarding SMS texting
(and not navigation, web searches, S-voice, etc.).

So I stopped off at the T-Mobile store today and asked why I can use text-
to-voice without a data plan, and, they confirmed the Google Voice-to-
text feature uses MMS, and not data.

[DevilsPGD]

Post by Frak Jones
This group and elsewhere was confusing on the answer of whether you need
a data plan to use Android voice-to-texting features.

Google's voice recognition does, by default, use data. You can download
a file (currently 22MB) to enable local, offline, speech recognition.

Post by Frak Jones
So I stopped off at the T-Mobile store today and asked why I can use text-
to-voice without a data plan, and, they confirmed the Google Voice-to-
text feature uses MMS, and not data.

They're idiots, and they're wrong, no MMS is used by this feature unless
you happen to be using this feature to send MMS content.

[cameo]

Post by DevilsPGD

Post by Frak Jones
This group and elsewhere was confusing on the answer of whether you need
a data plan to use Android voice-to-texting features.

Google's voice recognition does, by default, use data. You can download
a file (currently 22MB) to enable local, offline, speech recognition.

What file is that and is it in the Play Store?

[DevilsPGD]

Post by cameo

Post by DevilsPGD

Post by Frak Jones
This group and elsewhere was confusing on the answer of whether you need
a data plan to use Android voice-to-texting features.

Google's voice recognition does, by default, use data. You can download
a file (currently 22MB) to enable local, offline, speech recognition.

What file is that and is it in the Play Store?

On a Nexus 7, go to Settings --> Language & Input --> Google Voice
typing (click the "Settings" button), then "Download offline..."

[Frak Jones]

Post by DevilsPGD
Google's voice recognition does, by default, use data. You can download
a file (currently 22MB) to enable local, offline, speech recognition.

Here is a video I just made for you of what I'm doing to test this:

Note that I have a data block, and, Google voice-to-text works fine
without WiFi. In fact, that's why I stopped off at the T-Mobile store, to
ask why the data block wasn't working - and they confirmed that I have a
data block and that it is working.

They said the voice to text has nothing to do with data (it's MMS, they
said).

And, I must say, voice-to-text works, even when WiFi is turned off.
So, I'm inclined to believe them.

Note: We're not talking about anything other than the translation of
voice to text messages. And, I'm on a Samsung Galaxy SIII if that matters.

Post by DevilsPGD
They're idiots, and they're wrong, no MMS is used by this feature unless
you happen to be using this feature to send MMS content.

Well, it's not using WiFi (because I can turn that off and I can still
translate voice to text), and it's not using data because I don't have a
data plan.

In fact, I just turned WiFi off, and tested it by opening up messaging
and said "testing testing 123", and it translated that into text.

Without data.
Without wifi.

How is that?

[DevilsPGD]

Post by Frak Jones

Post by DevilsPGD
Google's voice recognition does, by default, use data. You can download
a file (currently 22MB) to enable local, offline, speech recognition.

http://youtu.be/ckfdgUH7hAs
Note that I have a data block, and, Google voice-to-text works fine
without WiFi. In fact, that's why I stopped off at the T-Mobile store, to
ask why the data block wasn't working - and they confirmed that I have a
data block and that it is working.
They said the voice to text has nothing to do with data (it's MMS, they
said).

You're confusing a couple different things here. The method you're using
to enter text has nothing at all to do with what you do with that text.

Go switch to Airplane mode and note that you can still use
speech-to-text? This is being done locally, on-device.

Once the speech is converted to text, you can choose to send it via
whatever method is available to you.

Post by Frak Jones

Post by DevilsPGD
They're idiots, and they're wrong, no MMS is used by this feature unless
you happen to be using this feature to send MMS content.

Well, it's not using WiFi (because I can turn that off and I can still
translate voice to text), and it's not using data because I don't have a
data plan.
In fact, I just turned WiFi off, and tested it by opening up messaging
and said "testing testing 123", and it translated that into text.
Without data.
Without wifi.
How is that?

It's done off-line, on the device itself, without external assistance.

[Frak Jones]

Post by DevilsPGD
You're confusing a couple different things here.

I appreciate the help; but I'm confused where I'm confused.

The title of this thread says:
"You don't need a data plan for Android voice-to-text texting!"

But, many people still said you did need a data plan.
Didn't I just confirm that the Subject of this thread is correct?

[DevilsPGD]

Post by Frak Jones

Post by DevilsPGD
You're confusing a couple different things here.

I appreciate the help; but I'm confused where I'm confused.
"You don't need a data plan for Android voice-to-text texting!"
But, many people still said you did need a data plan.
Didn't I just confirm that the Subject of this thread is correct?

You've absolutely correct. But suggesting it uses MMS is disingenuous,
SMS and MMS isn't used for voice-to-text either.

[Fran Jones]

Post by DevilsPGD
You've absolutely correct. But suggesting it uses MMS is disingenuous,
SMS and MMS isn't used for voice-to-text either.

Ah, I see. I appreciate the clarifications, and your patience.

I was simply trying to find out the answer to the question since
I have no intention of getting a data plan - yet - the voice to
text is so very important that it was a godsend that it works
without having a data plan.

In fact, I want to get my wife an Android phone, so that she can
do voice to text ... so I needed to figure out if it was a Samsung
thing or not - since the phone I get for her might be a ZTE Concord
(as she doesn't need the other Android bells and whistles).

BTW, just to be clear, *I* didn't suggest it uses MMS; that is only
what I was told by the T-Mobile store when I asked if my data block
wasn't working. The T-Mobile counterperson said it uses MMS.

But now I'm curious if it will work on another phone, or if it only
works on the Samsung Galaxy S3.

If it doesn't use data, and if it doesn't use MMS, what specific
application is voice-to-text using? (I ask so that I make sure
*that* application runs on whatever phone I buy for my wife.)

[DevilsPGD]

Post by Fran Jones

Post by DevilsPGD
You've absolutely correct. But suggesting it uses MMS is disingenuous,
SMS and MMS isn't used for voice-to-text either.

Ah, I see. I appreciate the clarifications, and your patience.
I was simply trying to find out the answer to the question since
I have no intention of getting a data plan - yet - the voice to
text is so very important that it was a godsend that it works
without having a data plan.
In fact, I want to get my wife an Android phone, so that she can
do voice to text ... so I needed to figure out if it was a Samsung
thing or not - since the phone I get for her might be a ZTE Concord
(as she doesn't need the other Android bells and whistles).
BTW, just to be clear, *I* didn't suggest it uses MMS; that is only
what I was told by the T-Mobile store when I asked if my data block
wasn't working. The T-Mobile counterperson said it uses MMS.
But now I'm curious if it will work on another phone, or if it only
works on the Samsung Galaxy S3.

It should work on any Android device, unless the manufacturer takes
steps to avoid having it work (or replaces it with something less
functional). It works on my Nexus 7 tablet, which is a stock Google
Android experience.

Post by Fran Jones
If it doesn't use data, and if it doesn't use MMS, what specific
application is voice-to-text using? (I ask so that I make sure
*that* application runs on whatever phone I buy for my wife.)

Unless your Android device manufacturer does something to override it,
it's just a data entry method, it's not app specific. In other words,
from the app's point of view, it's part of the keyboard.

[Fran Jones]

Post by DevilsPGD
It should work on any Android device

OK. I was wondering because everyone at first said it wouldn't
work without data, but it works just fine without data, and my
T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S3 is stock Android, like yours.

Post by DevilsPGD
it's just a data entry method, it's not app specific. In other words,
from the app's point of view, it's part of the keyboard.

OK. Thanks. Why didn't people just *say* that when I first had
asked? Everyone said you must have data, and, well, I don't have
data, and it works. Oh well, maybe I didn't ask it correctly.

Anyway ...

The key question was really trying to find out what voice-to-text
needed so that I could figure out whether it will work on an
as-yet-to-be-bought cheap (<$100) T-Mobile Android phone.

So, does everyone concur that voice-to-text should work on *any*
Android phone, out of the box from T-Mobile, without a data plan?

[DevilsPGD]

Post by Fran Jones

Post by DevilsPGD
It should work on any Android device

OK. I was wondering because everyone at first said it wouldn't
work without data, but it works just fine without data, and my
T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S3 is stock Android, like yours.

It used to be the case that it required data. Now it doesn't, and only
if you download a file (which may or may not be downloaded automatically
-- I don't recall explicitly downloading it, but I travel enough that if
I ever thought I might take my Nexus 7 on a trip, I might have
downloaded it)

Post by Fran Jones

Post by DevilsPGD
it's just a data entry method, it's not app specific. In other words,
from the app's point of view, it's part of the keyboard.

OK. Thanks. Why didn't people just *say* that when I first had
asked? Everyone said you must have data, and, well, I don't have
data, and it works. Oh well, maybe I didn't ask it correctly.

I suspect it was just folks who didn't keep up. I'm an iPhone guy
myself, but I was curious enough to look into it :)

Post by Fran Jones
Anyway ...
The key question was really trying to find out what voice-to-text
needed so that I could figure out whether it will work on an
as-yet-to-be-bought cheap (<$100) T-Mobile Android phone.
So, does everyone concur that voice-to-text should work on *any*
Android phone, out of the box from T-Mobile, without a data plan?

Any Android phone with the correct OS version (And I can't find exactly
what version added this feature) but one article indicated it's Jelly
Bean. Not all Android phones, especially cheapo devices, support the
current version.

http://www.voicecontrolapp.com/2013/02/25/offline-recognition-finally-available/

[Fran Jones]

Post by DevilsPGD
Any Android phone with the correct OS version (And I can't find exactly
what version added this feature) but one article indicated it's Jelly
Bean. Not all Android phones, especially cheapo devices, support the
current version.
http://www.voicecontrolapp.com/2013/02/25/offline-recognition-finally-available/

Ah. You're a genius! Thanks for your patience and kind help!

Now I know that it's called "offline voice recognition"!
Adding "Android" to that search term, I got tons of articles on the topic.

Here's just one:
(So the MMS thing from the T-Mobile guy was just made up by him!)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Innovation/2012/0403/32-essential-Android-tips-and-tricks/Offline-voice-typing-Jelly-Bean
6. Offline voice typing (Jelly Bean)
One of the big improvements in Jelly Bean was the ability to let your
phone or tablet convert your speech to text. Phones have done that for a
while now, but it generally meant sending your input over the air, doing
the decoding in the cloud, and showing the result on your device. Android
can now do the text generation itself -- which makes it a speedier process,
and possible even without an Internet connection. Head over to "Language
and Input" in the Settings app, then choose "Download offline speech
recognition" under the "Voice Search" heading. You'll be prompted to
download a language pack for each language you want Android to recognize;
once that's done you'll be able to dictate text even if Google's servers go
down or you've got poor reception.

[Fran Jones]

Post by DevilsPGD
It used to be the case that it required data. Now it doesn't, and only
if you download a file (which may or may not be downloaded automatically
-- I don't recall explicitly downloading it

This is key information!
No wonder everyone is confused (except you).
Certainly no wonder "I" was confused.

On my Samsung Galaxy S3 without data, these were my settings:

1. Settings->Language and Input->Keyboards and input methods->
Google voice typing->Settings->Automatic

2. Settings->Language and Input->Keyboards and input methods->
Google voice typing-> Download offline speech recognition (Installed, 22MB)

3. Settings->Language and Input->Speech->Voice recognizer->Google

4. Settings->Language and Input->Speech->Voice search->
Download offline speech recognition (Installed, 22MB)

Some of these appear redundant - but I think #2 is the key, as you
had suggested.

[Todd Allcock]

Post by DevilsPGD

Post by Fran Jones

Post by DevilsPGD
It should work on any Android device

OK. I was wondering because everyone at first said it wouldn't
work without data, but it works just fine without data, and my
T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S3 is stock Android, like yours.

It used to be the case that it required data. Now it doesn't, and only
if you download a file (which may or may not be downloaded automatically
-- I don't recall explicitly downloading it, but I travel enough that if
I ever thought I might take my Nexus 7 on a trip, I might have
downloaded it)

Post by Fran Jones

Post by DevilsPGD
it's just a data entry method, it's not app specific. In other words,
from the app's point of view, it's part of the keyboard.

OK. Thanks. Why didn't people just *say* that when I first had
asked? Everyone said you must have data, and, well, I don't have
data, and it works. Oh well, maybe I didn't ask it correctly.

I suspect it was just folks who didn't keep up. I'm an iPhone guy
myself, but I was curious enough to look into it :)

Post by Fran Jones
Anyway ...
The key question was really trying to find out what voice-to-text
needed so that I could figure out whether it will work on an
as-yet-to-be-bought cheap (<$100) T-Mobile Android phone.
So, does everyone concur that voice-to-text should work on *any*
Android phone, out of the box from T-Mobile, without a data plan?

Any Android phone with the correct OS version (And I can't find exactly
what version added this feature) but one article indicated it's Jelly
Bean. Not all Android phones, especially cheapo devices, support the
current version.
http://www.voicecontrolapp.com/2013/02/25/offline-recognition-finally-

available/
I think it was Jelly Bean- all of my prior Android phones (2.2, 2.3, 4.0)
required data to use voice to text for SMS- only after being corrected in
this thread (earlier I was one of those who confirmed incorrectly data
was required) did I try it on my LG L9 (4.1) and noticed that there was a
setting to download "offline speech recognition" (which on my LG was also
already downloaded- I suspect this is pre-loaded by OEM or carrier- I
certainly didn't do it in the few days I owned the phone at that point.)

[DevilsPGD]

Post by Todd Allcock
I think it was Jelly Bean- all of my prior Android phones (2.2, 2.3, 4.0)
required data to use voice to text for SMS- only after being corrected in
this thread (earlier I was one of those who confirmed incorrectly data
was required) did I try it on my LG L9 (4.1) and noticed that there was a
setting to download "offline speech recognition" (which on my LG was also
already downloaded- I suspect this is pre-loaded by OEM or carrier- I
certainly didn't do it in the few days I owned the phone at that point.)

I had another independent party tell me he "thinks it's Jelly Bean" that
added offline support, so lets go with that.

I've been playing with Google Chrome's voice recognition on iOS, wow
does it blow Apple's out of the water. It's not even close, it's faster,
gives more results in real time, far more accurate, and it understands
context (I haven't gotten a there/their-type error out of Google yet,
whereas this happens frequently with Siri)

[tlvp]

Post by DevilsPGD
I've been playing with Google Chrome's voice recognition on iOS, wow
does it blow Apple's out of the water. It's not even close, it's faster,
gives more results in real time, far more accurate, and it understands
context

My only recent VR experience is what GoogleVoice (GV) gave me when it
rendered into text the message a friend phoning me on my GV number left me
-- the friend has a thick RO-shan accent, and the garbled "text" GV
transcribed it as for me bears only the faintest passing resemblance to the
actual message he left as the voice-mail audio file plays it.

Well, obviously my mileage differed a lot from yours :-) . Cheers, -- tlvp

[Eddie Powalski]

Well, obviously my mileage differed a lot from yours . Cheers, -- tlvp

I don't have a data plan, and I can easily turn off wireless and
the hands free google voice to text works just fine for my texting
needs while driving.

[tlvp]

Post by Eddie Powalski

Well, obviously my mileage differed a lot from yours . Cheers, -- tlvp

I don't have a data plan, and I can easily turn off wireless and
the hands free google voice to text works just fine for my texting
needs while driving.

Glad to hear it. But don't stretch your texting-while-driving luck :-) .

Cheers, -- tlvp

[Gordon Burditt]

Post by Fran Jones
I was simply trying to find out the answer to the question since
I have no intention of getting a data plan - yet - the voice to
text is so very important that it was a godsend that it works
without having a data plan.
In fact, I want to get my wife an Android phone, so that she can
do voice to text ... so I needed to figure out if it was a Samsung
thing or not - since the phone I get for her might be a ZTE Concord
(as she doesn't need the other Android bells and whistles).
BTW, just to be clear, *I* didn't suggest it uses MMS; that is only
what I was told by the T-Mobile store when I asked if my data block
wasn't working. The T-Mobile counterperson said it uses MMS.
But now I'm curious if it will work on another phone, or if it only
works on the Samsung Galaxy S3.
If it doesn't use data, and if it doesn't use MMS, what specific
application is voice-to-text using? (I ask so that I make sure
*that* application runs on whatever phone I buy for my wife.)

If you (the app developer) wishes to do something complicated, like
voice-to-text, (or answering natural-language questions like Siri,
or turn-by-turn driving directions, or taking college exams for you)
you have a choice:

(1) Do it yourself on the user's local device, which probably has
problems with resources (program memory, working memory, processor
speed) and a tradeoff of doing a mediocre job reasonably fast vs.
doing a poor job quickly vs. doing an excellent job way too slowly,
(doing a really excellent job would identify the speaker, too)
or

(2) offload the work to something else ("the cloud"), using whatever
communication methods you have, such as (a) SMS, (b) MMS, (c) a
cellular phone voice channel, (d) internet access to a web site /
cloud server (requires a data plan) or (e) smoke signals from a
flaming battery, or

(3) split the job between (1) and (2).

Apparently *some* voice-to-text applications manage to do voice-to-text
somewhat decently using choice (1). Choice (1) *might* be made
easier on certain phones if there's dedicated hardware to help with
the job, although I tend to doubt it as it drives up the cost and
I don't think much marketing hype is used for that feature.

If you've got digitized speech, and you want text, without hardware
assist the job is essentially a big number-crunching job. Most
any system with enough memory and processor speed can do it. I don't
the Samsung Galaxy S3 is unique in that area (although it may be
a high-end phone.) Oh, yes, voice recognition requires programming
skill also.

My experience is somewhat limited to trying to use voice dialing
on my Blackberry over a Bluetooth headset. If I say numbers, it
does fairly well. If I try to say the name of a contact, it's
pretty awful. Trying to train it with my voice didn't help much.
I'm not sure the Bluetooth is really picking up my voice well.
Maybe I should try it with just the phone, although if I am holding
the phone in my hand, voice dialing is kinda pointless.

[DevilsPGD]

In the last episode of

Post by Gordon Burditt
My experience is somewhat limited to trying to use voice dialing
on my Blackberry over a Bluetooth headset. If I say numbers, it
does fairly well. If I try to say the name of a contact, it's
pretty awful. Trying to train it with my voice didn't help much.
I'm not sure the Bluetooth is really picking up my voice well.
Maybe I should try it with just the phone, although if I am holding
the phone in my hand, voice dialing is kinda pointless.

Modern voice recognition is ages ahead of what BlackBerry (at least
pre-BB10) supports.

I agree that server-driven solutions tend to do a better job than mobile
devices (using bandwidth rather than CPU is usually smart on the battery
too), however, Google does a surprisingly good job offline, and an even
better job online, often recognizing entire sentences reliably.

[Fran Jones]

Post by DevilsPGD
Google does a surprisingly good job offline, and an even
better job online, often recognizing entire sentences reliably.

BTW, this morning I changed the voice recognition from Google
to the native Samsung, and, well, the result was so horrid
that I reset it back to Google within a few hours.

[DevilsPGD]

Post by Fran Jones

Post by DevilsPGD
Google does a surprisingly good job offline, and an even
better job online, often recognizing entire sentences reliably.

BTW, this morning I changed the voice recognition from Google
to the native Samsung, and, well, the result was so horrid
that I reset it back to Google within a few hours.

Heh. Like I said earlier: "unless the manufacturer takes
steps to avoid having it work (or replaces it with something less
functional)"