What can SpeakToIt Assistant do?

I spent some time with SpeakToIt on both an old iPhone 3GS and my iPad 2 earlier today, and while it’s somewhat limited compared to Siri — more on that later — the $1.99 app can assist with certain tasks. Using the software, I was able to compose and send text messages and emails from my iPhone and my iPad; note that on the iPad, SpeakToIt appears as an iPhone app with support for pixel doubling.

SpeakToIt Assistant can also search the web for various information. I asked it to search Amazon for a product and the results were spot on. A small window with results opens in the top half of the display, but with one tap, these can be expanded to a full screen. Other searchable items include images, maps, news, stock information, the IMDB site and weather nearby or around the world.

Search results take place quickly; in some cases faster than Siri. That could be due to more people using Apple’s software and servers versus those using SpeakToIt. You can customize the look of the assistant and turn conversation mode on or off.

Multiple skills, but not hooks into iOS

Also in the list of skills are features to organize events or your agenda, tasks, translate words or phrases from English and a calculator for basic math or conversion of currency or measures. I rely on Siri’s “what’s my day look like?” function on a daily basis, and a “what’s on my calendar?” query worked just fine. I first had to give the OK for SpeakToIt to see my Google Calendar; the app isn’t hooked into the native iOS Calendar software.

And if you allow SpeakToIt to access your Twitter or Facebook accounts, you can send tweets or update your status by voice. You can also check in to FourSquare, although I didn’t try that function yet. Tweets and status updates worked out really well in my tests; better than the email dictations I tried.

Limitations and voice input

Here’s where the limitations come in. Although SpeakToIs Assistant is powered by Nuance, the same as Siri, I found message dictation to be marginal at best for some reason. With Siri, I can speak multiple sentences, along with punctuation, and the text is perfect nearly every time. With SpeakToIt, even when trying to add punctuation, my dictations became giant run-on sentences without punctuation.

And although the app has a coversation mode, so that you don’t have to hit the microphone button for every command, it’s not quite as conversational as Siri. If you want to talk about weather in several places, that’s fine. But the process of creating a message ends with the message dictation. You have to manually send it by tapping the Send button.

Siri also has better native app integration as well. I tried to create a reminder with SpeakToIt assistant, but it could only do so with Evernote. No such luck setting an alarm with the native Clock app, either. This is where Siri shines: It’s integrated at a lower level with iOS than any third-party option likely ever will be.

Worth a try if you temper expectations

Still, SpeakToIt assistant shows promise as a $1.99 app, as I’d expect it to keep maturing and improving. Folks that don’t want to pay for the app just yet can take a free chance on Valentine’s Day: the software will be free to the first 100,000 people who download it, and $0.99 after that for the remainder of the day.

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First, there’s a new feature in iOS 5.1 beta 3 for iPhone 4S users that will be familiar to many: You can once again toggle 3G on and off (via mobileburn), instead of only being able to disable data entirely. It’s a feature that was missed by many during its absence, especially since the ability to force a step down to 2G connections is a great way to help extend your battery just a little longer than usual. It’ll be found under the Settings app in the Network section when the 5.1 update goes live.

Another new tidbit which has less concrete implications is the presence of new references to Dictation services (via 9to5Mac) in a new section under the Keyboard menu in general settings. The section, called “About Dictation and Privacy,” opens a dialog box with legal and feature information related to using Siri Dictation on the iPhone 4S. The new section is reportedly appearing on both the iPad and iPod touches with Retina Displays.

While dictation still isn’t actually available from software keyboards on either of those devices, the presence of this new section indicates that Apple could be preparing them for its arrival. Since the same info relegated the Siri subsection of Settings on the iPhone 4S, it does seem like the iPad and iPod touch could be getting just the dictation, without the smart searching and other benefits of Siri. There’s also the possibility that these are just testing placeholders, ahead of the introduction of Siri features to next-gen devices also being used internally at Apple with pre-release iOS software builds.

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iPhone

Apple’s next iPhone is one many probably feel we’ve already seen in previews, since the rumor mill prior to the release of the iPhone 4S was focused more on the so-called iPhone 5. A lot of what was said about that device should probably come to pass when we do get a new iPhone next year, which Apple could well call the iPhone 5.

A release in fall is probably in the cards, since Apple would gain little by releasing a new iPhone in the early summer so soon after unveiling the iPhone 4S, so it’s hard to pin down anything definite about the device at this point; a lot can change in mobile in nearly a year, after all. But there are a few safe bets regarding Apple’s next smartphone.

First, expect an A6 processor, possibly quad-core, powering the device. Also, a larger screen and a new physical case design are almost guaranteed. I don’t think Apple would go the route of the Android-makers with anything gigantic, but a respectable 4-inch display seems likely. And while LTE still isn’t a guarantee, it’s a good bet for 2012. Near-field communication (NFC) is less certain to make the cut, since that tech still has a long way to go before (if) it goes mainstream.

iPod

Making predictions about Apple’s iPod line is definitely tough. The media player got virtually no changes in 2011 compared to 2010, and its impact on Apple’s overall revenue picture continues to dwindle. The iPod touch is still an important part of the lineup, but even its future might become a question sometime in the next couple of years.

In 2012, I see Apple finally putting its iPod classic to rest, and maybe the shuffle, too. The iPod touch will likely get the spec bump it missed this year, bringing it closer to the current iPhone 4S in terms of wireless radios and processing power, and possibly a physical redesign, too. The real question mark, and maybe Apple’s greatest opportunity to shake up the media player market, is the iPod nano.

Users have been looking for an update that brings Bluetooth on-board with the diminutive nano, making it compatible with wireless headphones (better when worn on the wrist) and possibly enabling a live data connection between it and the iPhone. I suspect that Apple skipped a proper update for the nano this year because it’s actually working on making the nano the perfect connected companion for the iPhone, thanks to Bluetooth 4.0 tech, but we’ll see in 2012 whether or not that’s the case.

iPad

Rumors about the iPad 3 are already swirling, since it seems on track for an early 2012 release. I think we’ll see it arrive around the same time as last year’s iPad 2, so between February and March, complete with the Retina Display users have been looking for since the iPhone 4′s release.

What else will the iPad 3 offer? That’s a good question, and one that hasn’t really been addressed all that much in early reports. Its features will be dictated largely by what the market demands, which shouldn’t be much judging by the current tablet market picture. In 2011, Apple ruled the tablet market without a real competitor in sight. In 2012, it will have low-cost alternatives nipping at its heels, but it still isn’t looking at any competitors who are truly shaking up the space.

As a result, I’d expect to see an iPad 3 that resembles its predecessor in most regards, with the aforementioned improved screen, as well as a slimmer design and maybe a longer lasting battery. Apple has the right recipe for success in other regards, and the iPad 3 isn’t really crying out for camera improvements or additional wireless tech. Adoption of Bluetooth 4.0 is probably also on tap, as well as an upgraded A6 processor, but I wouldn’t expect much else.

Instead of making dramatic changes or additions to the iPad, expect Apple to offer a low-cost option in the form of the iPad 2, likely limited to either 8 or 16 GB of onboard storage. And as much as I and Kevin admire the smaller, 7-inch form factor, I think Apple might keep that one in reserve for at least another year.

Macs

In 2012, iDevices won’t be the only devices getting big upgrades. Apple’s Mac division is still a big revenue driver for the company, and in the new year I expect them to focus on the products that will have the biggest role in the future of computing. The MacBook Air is the crucial device here, but iMacs, too, should be in for big changes.

The MacBook Air is Apple’s most forward-looking Mac, and it has plenty of room to grow. In 2011, the 11- and 13-inch form factors got even better thanks to much-needed processor upgrades and the addition of Thunderbolt tech. In 2012, I expect Apple to expand the line as it moves to push aside the MacBook Pro in terms of its importance to Apple’s notebook offerings. So a 15-inch Air is likely, as well as more substantial improvements to the 11- and 13-inch devices, aimed at shoring up their remaining weaknesses: battery life and storage. Higher resolution displays are another definite possibility.

As Apple’s strongest desktop product, expect iMacs to get significant updates in 2012, both externally and on the inside, too. The current iMac case design is getting a little long in the tooth, and is overdue for an update. Intel has new processors that will likely make their way into Macs in the works, and we should see them in the second quarter of 2012, so expect new iMacs around then, too. Other changes might include high-res displays like those that could make their way to the notebook line, and solid state storage as the default option on some models.

As to the rest of the Mac line, I’d expect to see upgrades for the Mac mini, but not necessarily any big improvements for the Mac Pro. Apple is clearly focusing on consumer products, and it could let its more powerful desktops languish again as a result.

Apple TV

It’s the last big question mark for Apple’s 2012 plans, the mythical iTV. I think we’ll see Apple make its move here, and introduce a television set late in the year, complete with a full App Store, Siri controls and iCloud support. Whether or not we’ll see its set-top Apple TV gets a similar upgrade strikes me as less certain, but since it could act as a gateway device the way the iPod touch does for the iPhone and iPad, I think we’ll see that, too.

This is the rough roadmap I see in place for Apple’s 2012 product plans. Predicting Apple’s plans is likely a fool’s game, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t fun. Let us know what you think is coming out of Cupertino in the comments.

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Touchscreen gloves, not touchscreen finger tips

A big problem I’ve had with previous versions of touchscreen gloves has been that other manufacturers seem to think a couple conductive pads on the index and middle finger will make sure you’re covered. But sometimes that approach means using them will result in missed touches, and make using devices fiddly and generally inconvenient.

The Mujjo gloves get around that limitation by featuring conductive thread throughout the entire weave of the glove’s body; literally any part of it, including the cuff, can activate your device’s touchscreen. When you’re trying to find directions in the middle of a snowstorm so dense you can only see about a foot in front of you, this makes a big difference.

Comfortable and sturdy

Mujjo’s gloves fit, pardon the pun, like a glove. They come in two size ranges: S/M and M/L, and are designed to stretch to accommodate different hand shapes. My M/L are a perfect fit, and the S/M worked as well for my girlfriend. They have a dense weave that means you won’t see skin through any holes anywhere on the glove, even when stretched. And they should also stand up to a fair bit of abuse; they don’t feel delicate or liable to start coming apart at the seams anytime soon, and I used them for a fair amount of outdoor rough-housing with my (admittedly small and relatively gentle) dog. Note however that the Mujjo gloves are not machine washable, and should only be washed by hand with cold water and laid flat to dry.

Warm, but not the warmest

While the Mujjo gloves were more than adequate at most temperatures, they did not deal well with the extreme cold of a day that reached around 1 or 2 degrees Fahrenheit. They were still better than nothing at those lows, but I still felt the need to use my pockets with fair frequency. At more reasonable temperatures of around 20 to 23 Fahrenheit, the gloves proved more than comfortable, even during longer periods of 30 minutes or more outside.

The total package

I’ve tried a few touchscreen-compatible gloves, but the Mujjos are already my favorite. They look good (though they do only come in one color), they feel good on the hand and provide adequate warmth, and they work as well as bare skin on every capacitive touchscreen I could find to test them with. At around $32 U.S. per pair plus shipping, they aren’t exactly cheap, but if touchscreen compatibility is what you’re after, these gloves are a bargain.

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Belkin LiveAction Camera Grip ($49.99)

The Camera Grip is a simple slide-on accessory that basically makes the iPhone a little more usable as a traditional camera by adding a more grippy, larger hand-hold for iPhone 4/4S and iPod touch owners, as well as dedicated photo and video shutter buttons. There’s also a standard 1/4-inch tripod adapter in the bottom of the grip, and a dock connector that allow the hardware shutter buttons to communicate to Belkin’s LiveAction camera app.

Cleverly designed with a spring-loaded bracket to hold iPhones snugly, even when they’re in a protective case or skin, the Camera Grip definitely succeeds at its goal of making it easier to hold your iOS device like a camera and snap photos. But it comes with some limitations that might seriously disappoint mobile photographers. The shutter buttons only work in the LiveAction app, for instance, which means you won’t be able to use Apple’s own camera app, Camera+ or the photo taking part of Instagram.

Also, while it’s nice that the Camera Grip doesn’t require any batteries and is relatively small, it adds a significant amount of bulk to the iPhone or iPod touch, and also isn’t so small as to be able to be stowed comfortably in a pocket. In short, it adds a lot of the downsides of a point-and-shoot while offering few advantages, especially now that iOS 5 supports using the volume up button as a hardware shutter. The tripod mount is nice, but other accessories, like the Glif, do the job cheaper and with a smaller footprint.

Belkin LiveAction Camera Remote ($49.99)

The Remote, on the other hand, offers a pretty unique set of features for iPhone photographers, and in a package that’s remarkably well-designed for mobile-minded users. It features a Bluetooth-powered remote shutter control unit, with a clever support stand that fits neatly into the remote unit for easy storage. The two-part design manages to still be small enough that it doesn’t feel cumbersome in the front pocket of a pair of jeans.

Again, the Remote works only with the Belkin LiveAction app, but in this case that’s not as much of an issue, since you’ll be using the remote in cases where you’re taking a self-portrait, night shot or some other situation where speed isn’t key, but properly setting up the shot is.

Since the Remote uses Bluetooth, it also doesn’t necessarily require line-of-sight, as do many IR-based DSLR camera remotes. That makes it very handy, since you can keep the remote itself out of shots when taking pictures you also happen to be in.

Remote capabilities definitely expand the scope of the iPhone’s potential as a camera significantly; combined with things like the Olloclip, for instance, you can take pretty excellent macro photos without worrying about shutter shake. Also, there’s a dedicated video shutter button, so switching from a distance between still and moving picture recording is a breeze.

One last thing I liked about the Belkin LiveAction Remote: it works as a play/pause remote for music playback on your iPhone or iPod touch when the LiveAction camera app isn’t active. Comes in handy when you’ve got your iPhone docked in your home stereo.

Both getting and missing the point

The LiveAction accessories are then a mixed bag. On the one hand, the Camera Grip seems to miss much of what makes mobile photography fun; it adds bulk, reduces portability and offers little additional functionality in return. The Camera Remote, on the other hand, is exactly what iPhone photographers are looking for: a product that addresses a functionality gap without affecting the iPhone’s general mobility or necessitating a camera bag. Your needs may vary, but for my money, the LiveAction remote paired with a Glif, GorillaMobile and Olloclip is hard to beat in terms of a mobile photography kit that covers all the bases.

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Along with free remote control of an unlimited number of Macs or PCs from your iOS device with LogMeIn, LogMeIn Pro (a paid upgrade available in-app for $39.99 per year) also provides access to your computer’s entire file structure, where you can grab files and copy them to local storage, other computers, or to cloud-based storage via online services like Dropbox, Google Docs or any WebDav server. You can even move or copy entire folders at once, and open a variety of file types right within LogMeIn, including audio, video, image and document files.

Getting set up is a breeze, and the LogMeIn app walks you through the process. You’ll have to sign up for an account, then download a client application on the computers you want to be able to access remotely. It’s the simplest solution I’ve seen for getting remote access set up both within and outside of your own home Wi-Fi network, and testing over 3G shows it works great even on cellular connections. By default, the app uses a somewhat strange navigation system that moves the screen instead of the cursor, but you can switch to cursor mode relatively easily if the default mode isn’t working for you.

The free version of LogMeIn is probably all most people need, especially if you just want to check on a download or video rendering progress, or control a media center PC from the comfort of the couch without the added hassle of wireless mice and keyboards. But LogMeIn has wisely thrown in a Pro trial with each new sign up, and the file management features and cloud service access are mighty tempting. Also, the Pro subscription provides HD video and audio playback from PCs, with a Mac implementation of the same feature planned for the near future.

If you’ve previously purchased LogMeIn Ignition, you’re lucky; you get grandfathered in to the new Pro features automatically. This is a smart move for LogMeIn in general, though, since it should introduce many more people to the service’s remote viewing functions, which is tempting bait for the new recurring Pro subscription.

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The update includes some iPad-only goodies that take advantage of the device’s larger screen, as well as some general changes for all versions that replicate and one-up features found in Apple’s own iBooks, making it a much better all-around solution for users who’d rather just have one e-reading app on their devices. Here’s a breakdown of what’s new:

All devices

Kindle Personal Documents Service. Both iPhone and iPad users can now take advantage of Amazon’s Kindle Personal Document Service, which lets users email their own documents to special Send-to-Kindle email addresses assigned to each Amazon Kindle user account. The document will then show up in their iPad, iPhone or iPod touch Kindle app library, and be available for re-download across devices. Note that this does incur a fee, and requires a few initial steps to get set up. You can check out Amazon’s full guide to its Personal Document Service here for more info.

PDF Reader. Kindle apps for iOS now feature a built-in PDF reader that can open files from Mail or Safari, or PDFs transferred directly from a user’s computer via iTunes. The PDF feature also works with documents transferred using the newly-integrated Personal Documents Service mentioned above. This was the main (if not the only) advantage of iBooks over the Kindle app in my opinion, so now that it’s gone I’ll probably just use the Amazon app full-time.

iPad-only

New magazine design. Amazon is clearly trying to stay on top of the competition from Newsstand here, and in fact, its magazines now work with Newsstand. Amazon’s Kindle newspaper and magazine library now extends to the over 400 titles available on the Kindle Fire.

Print replica textbooks. Those still in school will benefit greatly from this feature, which makes thousands of print replica textbooks available on the iPad via the Kindle app. Textbook rentals are also available, and the print replica formatting means that it’ll be even easier for students to follow along in class with page and section numbering while also enjoying the advantages of a digital edition (searching, linked content, etc.)

This is a big, solid update from a company that’s currently nursing its own competitive tablet platform, and I must say I’m pretty impressed. What do you think of the new Kindle apps?

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Shopping time is almost up for this year’s holiday season, but shipping deadlines have yet to elapse completely, and stores will still be plenty busy. In this week’s installment of our ongoing series, we’re looking at power accessories for Apple devices that could make great last-minute gifts and/or stocking stuffers.

Best backup battery: Just Mobile Gum Plus. There are a lot more solid options in this category than there were, say, a couple of years ago. But the Just Mobile Gum Plus wins for a number of reasons, including its high capacity (4400 mAh, enough for up to three charges for your iPhone), good looks and small, easily pocketable or stowable design. The Gum Plus is $69.95 plus shipping.

Best iPhone battery case: Mophie Juice Pack Plus. The iPhone battery case market is likewise crowded, but there are a few that have stood the test of time, and the Mophie Juice Pack Plus is one of them. Even considering the unfortunate recall that happened this year with its iPod touch model, the Juice Pack Plus is the best-in-class when you’re looking for something for your iPhone 4 or 4S extra battery life needs, because of its 2000 mAh capacity and pass through volume and sleep/wake controls. The Juice Pack Plus retails for $99.95.

Best charging adapter: PlugBug. The PlugBug from twelveSouth is a clever and invaluable add-on for people with a variety of Apple mobile devices. It’ll help convert your MacBook adapter so that it can also do double duty and charge your iPhone or iPad at the same time from the same outlet. Plus it can act as a standalone iPad charger and comes in an eye-catching red design that makes it harder to miss when you’re doing that final visual sweep of your hotel room. At the Apple store online, the PlugBus is $34.95

Best charging cable: The Magic Cable Duo. Innergie’s clever little cable with in-line, swappable 30-pin Apple dock connector and micro USB is able to charge pretty much any modern mobile device, including the above-mentioned Mophie Juice Pack Plus, as well as any Apple iOS gadget. The Magic Cable Trio adds mini USB to the mix, but we’re willing to bet that for most up-to-date gadget geeks out there, the Duo will cover all the necessary bases. The Magic Cable Duo sells for $19.99 on its own.

That’s our list, but feel free to argue our choices or voice your own suggestions in the comments.

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Kid-friendly and kid-loved

The iPad and the iPhone have a knack with kids, as any parent and iOS user will tell you. The brightly lit, touch-screen technology that appeals at an emotional level to adults is no less effective on children, who are more liable to indiscriminately touch things to see how they react to begin with. Kids are also voicing their demand for iOS devices as soon as they’re able to; recent surveys found that iPhones, iPod touches and iPads topped the wish lists of children ranging from the very young to the nearly adult. In fact, 52 percent of children between the ages of zero and eight already have access to a mobile device of some kind, many of which are probably running iOS.

Cross-branding opportunities

Accessories and apps seem to be either fueling or cashing in on this trend, too, at a growing pace. Consider the partnership announced Tuesday between Disney and iHome, maker of audio accessories for iOS devices. Characters from Disney’s stable of brands will be adorning iHome iPhone docks, headphones, and speaker systems starting this holiday season, at major outlets like Toys ‘R’ Us and Bed Bath & Beyond. Think about it: A Kermit the frog docking alarm clock assumes a lot of kids either are already or will be sleeping next to iPhones next year.

Disney and iHome aren’t the only ones cashing in on the youthful appeal of Apple’s mobile gadgets. Perennial Apple accessory maker Griffin is partnering up with Crayola to create the iMarker, essentially a branded stylus kids can use in conjunction with a coloring book app. Both Disney and Crayola are playing it smart, taking parent-trusted brands and combining them with the expertise of industry-leading third-party gadget manufacturers who already know the ins and outs of making devices for Apple products.

A new vector for content-makers

It isn’t just accessories getting the kid-friendly treatment. Content producers have kids in mind with their iPhone and iPad offerings, too. PBS announced Tuesday (.DOC link) that its PBS KIDS video app for the iPad is now available on the iPhone and iPod touch, too. The iPad app, which launched in May, has delivered on average two million video streams per day to its more than 450,000 users, growing steadily since its introduction. Reaching out to iPhone and iPod touch users broadens the potential audience, so that kids can check out full episodes of programs like Sesame Street and Super Why on smaller-screened devices if they don’t happen to have a tablet handy.

This is just the beginning of a coming flood. Whereas once the kid appeal of iPhones and iPads was an unexpected bonus to a parent’s purchase, now parents are seeking out Apple devices with full knowledge that they also make good distractions and educational tools for their young ones. And since people are often even more willing to spend money on their children than on themselves, the market for kid-focused apps and accessories has likely only begun to heat up.

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Apple’s iPhone dominated ad requests from JiWire’s mobile network in both markets during the third quarter of 2011, despite giving up a bit of market share. In the U.S., the iPhone accounted for 41.9 percent of all ads served, down 1.8 percent from the previous quarter. In the UK, it took 50.6 percent of all ad requests. In both markets, iOS easily beat out other competing mobile platforms, with 79.9 percent of requests in the U.S. and 71.1 percent in the UK. JiWire’s data is gathered from mobile users connecting via public Wi-Fi locations, which means that its reports mainly cover traffic outside the home, likely with a high percentage of business travelers. Millennial Media sees different results from its advertising network.

In both cases, however, iOS as a platform dropped, by 2.0 percent in the U.S. and 6.5 percent in the UK. The losses were in spite of 2.9 and 2.3 percent gains in the share of ads delivered to the iPad in the U.S. and UK, respectively. Surprisingly, the platform benefitting most from Apple’s drop isn’t necessarily Android. In the U.S., for instance, Android climbed by just 0.5 percent in ads viewed, while Windows Phone was up 1.2 percent. In the UK, too, Windows Phone rose 5.5 percent, compared with Android’s more modest gain of 1.5 percent. Might this indicate the early stages of the emergence of a truly competitive third mobile platform? Increased ad spend could attract more developer attention for Microsoft’s mobile OS.

The iPad’s gain is good for Apple, since it slows the rate at which the company loses ground to the competition. But it’s also good news for mobile commerce. JiWire found that 82 percent of tablet users were willing to buy directly from their devices, versus just 76 percent of smartphone owners, and that 67 percent of tablet owners spent $50 or more, while only 57 percent of smartphone owners and 52 percent of those on notebooks were willing to do the same.

As you can see from the numbers, Apple by far still has the lion’s share of mobile ad market share according to JiWire’s numbers. And while it is losing ground, it at least doesn’t appear to be doing so to the exclusive benefit of just one major competitor, like Android.

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• Tablet market to hit over 377 million units by 2016
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