We've had voice services built into BlackBerry 10 since day one, although they are quite limited in comparison to the likes of other mobile platforms. In fact, using voice services when I'm in the car is something I very rarely do as for emails and SMS I use a third party app - SafeDrive.
However, if you do get a BBM whist you are driving and you don't want to take your eyes of the road, your BlackBerry can read out the message for you and even allow you to reply - all by voice to text. Most Bluetooth headsets will allow for a 'long hold' of the main button to activate the voice services on BlackBerry 10 - so it can all be done legally.
Here's how:
- When you receive a BBM hold down the central media key to activate the voice services and say "Read last BBM message".
- The message will be read out and you will then be asked if you wish to reply.
- Simply say "Reply" and you'll be prompted to speak your message.
- Once done the BlackBerry will ask if you wish to send the BBM or edit it.
The same rules actually apply for emails and SMS, however it only works for unread messages. If you have no new messages and ask the BlackBerry to read the last one it will tell you that you have no unread messages. On a personal note I'd like to see this changed, so the BlackBerry can still read out a BBM even if you've already viewed it. Maybe in the future.
Getting acquainted with using voice to text on BlackBerry 10 does take some getting used to, but for those times when you need to be looking at the road ahead and not at your phone it sure comes in handy.
Read more
BlackBerry rolls out a small update to BBM on BlackBerry 10
Are you on BlackBerry 10 and feeling a little left out when it comes to BBM updates? If so, there's finally a new update now available through BlackBerry World.
BBM for BlackBerry 10 gets a beta update
If you're using a BlackBerry 10 smartphone and you have a Beta Zone account, then this one is for you. There is a beta update available for BBM. There isn't much to the update, but it's always nice to see app updates come along.
Bridge can now send your BBM messages to Pebble
Bridge, an app that brings Pebble support to BlackBerry 10 users, now supports BBM notifications and it also a now allows Vector smartwatch. If you haven't heard of Bridge before it is a third party Pebble app for BlackBerry 10 users.
BBM beta for BlackBerry 10 updated
In addition to the iOS beta rolling out, BBM for BlackBerry 10 is also getting a beta update, that brings both platforms in line with each other. With that being the case, the change log for the BlackBerry 10 release is almost identical so, BlackBerry 10 users will have the option to create a custom PIN, remove ads and have a special badge on their profile picture in BBM. New...