Android app for hands-free text messaging

Hands-Free Text Messaging

Most owners of Android-powered smartphones know about Google Voice Actions, which, among other things, allows you to dictate text messages using just your voice.

However, there's still a bit of screen interaction required, as you have to find and tap the microphone to engage Voice Actions. And what about messages you receive? There's no hands-free help there.

Enter Text by Voice, an admirably effective app that makes texting a totally hands-free experience. With it you can send and listen to messages without so much as touching your phone. It's entirely voice-powered

As the above demonstration video, er, demonstrates, Text by Voice requires zero interaction with your phone (save for launching the app before you hit the road). Thus you can leave your phone up on your dashboard, at your side in a cupholder, or wherever, then go about the business of driving.

When a text message arrives, the app reads it aloud--and gives you the option of repeating it, replying to it, or ignoring it. And if you want to compose and send a message, you simply say the activation phrase ("text by voice," of course). That, my friends, is the way all smartphones should work. (Are you listening, Apple?)

Currently in open beta, StartTalking works with smartphones running Android 2.0 or later and is now available for download from the Android Marketplace or by using an Android phone’s browser to visit http://m.starttalking.com. Visitors using personal computers to the StartTalking website can also send an SMS download link to their Android phone. StartTalking works with wired headsets or the Android handset’s speakerphone function.