I have a love-hate relationship with the voice recognition feature on my cell phone. When I first brought home my adorable Project Red Motorola RAZR almost two years ago, I was quite excited to graduate to a big-girl phone.
My old phone did not have a camera on it. My old phone was not sleek. My old phone was not cherry-red. My old phone was not “hip*”. My old phone did not have voice recognition. I had to call people the old-fashioned way, by pressing the buttons. (The horror!)
Using the Voice Recognition feature was fun at first. I would say, “Call-Jim-work” and then the lady in my phone would say, “Did you say, ‘Call-Jim-work’?” I would firmly but politely confirm, “Yes.” She would say, “Calling!” Magically, my husband was on the other end of the line in seconds, without my having to lift a finger! This was awesome!
The lady in my phone and I got along well. I didn’t even mind her constantly confirming what I was saying. Then I got frustrated. WHY couldn’t she just “get it”? I mean, seriously. I call the same people all the time. Isn’t there software for the purpose of Recognizing That Melisa Is Calling “Him” or “Her” Again???
I found myself trying to say the names of my contacts in a convoluted way—just like the lady in my phone does—to avoid the confirmation. It became a game: could I say a name in just the right way so that she dialed for me without asking me what I said? When I was successful (rarely) and we skipped right to “Calling!” I would shout “Sweet!” and pump my fist in the air triumphantly.
I finally was able to master one name, my sister’s, and the lady and I had an understanding. Apparently all my life I have said my sister’s name wrong: I’ve been saying “Julie” instead of “Jah-oh-leeeee”. My mistake. Now, every time I want to call my sister, all I have to do is contort my mouth in the strangest way and say “Jah-oh-leeeee”, and the lady understands me perfectly. And then I giggle a little bit.
As for the other names? Well, the lady in my phone and I will just continue to play tug-of-war with those, because neither of us wants to meet in the middle.
Thay-anx fuh-or ruh-eeee-ding thee-is pohhhh-st.
*Don’t misunderstand me, please. Normally I could care less about being “hip”. I don’t go out of my way to look “hip”, buy “hip” products, sound “hip”, or act “hip”. However, I happen to appreciate when something “hip” accidentally inserts itself in my life as my Cherry-colored Project Red RAZR did. Nuff said.
P.S. I just posted this over at the Anthill on Cre8buzz. Now that you’re done reading it, throw a comment my way and then head on over to the ‘hill and read what other bloggers are writing!
8 Comments
Kat
Ah the joys of voice recognition software…LOL. I almost peed myself reading your post. It is so funny to picture you trying to pronounce your sisters name so the voice recognition lady wouldn’t ask for confirmation ROFL
Melissa
Hmm, I need me one of them new fangled phones…just imagine if you had a really weird name to call out…
Sue
I must say the first time I went to pick up my middle schooler with my blue chocolate phone, the kids thought I was really cool. I’m sure it is already out of fashion, but I was cool mom for a couple of days!
Dea
BWAHA!! I hate the voice recognition chick on my phone too – I won’t even use it, she NEVER gets it right! LOL!
Melisa
Kat: Trust me, it’s a sight to see!
Melissa: It would probably be the same as a regular sounding name…the phone would completely not understand me! 🙂
Sue: Blue Chocolate! Yippee! Now THAT’S hip. (or it was…LOL)
Deanna: LOL!
Mom24
My voice recognition on the phone makes me want to fling my phone across the room! Very, very funny post, and I needed a giggle.
BTW–you seem very naturally “hip” to me.
Melisa
Stacey: You are so sweet! Hope you don’t mind if I tell my kids that another blogger thinks I’m hip! LOL
KathyLikesPink
I don’t use the voice recognition thing. I never wanted to take the time to figure it out. Your post makes me think – no great loss that I didn’t.
But I DO love my pink Razr phone! I love it – love it – love it! I can’t tell you how many exellent quality photos I’ve taken with it.
I’ve had mine two years and just bought a new battery for it. I know cell phones have a built-in obsolesence factor of about two years, and I’m hoping I can squeeze more time out of this. ‘Cause I love it. Did I mention that it’s pink???