Talking E-mail

[knowltok2]

During the Olympics I observed a rather annoying commercial about talking E-mail. Once I got past the fact that it was rather annoying as commercials go, I got to thinking about what talking E-mail is needed for. I admit that it is an amazing technology, which could have profound benefit for the blind, but of what real good is it for everyone else? Has life become so fast paced that we need to have our e-mails sent our phones and read to us? I don't have any problem with it, and more power to anyone who wants to use it (except at movies and funerals) but I still have to ask, "What's the point?"

Let me know If I am overlooking something profound here, or if it is just a gimmick to sell new phones.

 

[ainwood]

Its ironic that they are adding speech functionallity to e-mail, when in most companies, people now e-mail someone in the next office rather than walking over to talk to them.

Yes, I can see the benefits for blind people, or perhaps even short-sited people if they are trying to read it on a PDA or 'phone.

Other than that? Gimmick. God forbid the day when it becomes ubiquitous in the office environment....

 

[Franklyn]

It's all about the benjamins, my friend.

 

[knowltok2]

Originally posted by Franklyn
It's all about the benjamins, my friend.

That would be the case if it was lifesaving organ transplant technology. I'm just wondering what the benefit is.

 

[Padma]

Originally posted by Franklyn
It's all about the benjamins, my friend.

Originally posted by knowltok2


That would be the case if it was lifesaving organ transplant technology. I'm just wondering what the benefit is.

Like Franklyn said: It's all about the Benjamins. It's really just a gimmick to sell the phones.

"Ooh! That's cool! I need one of those!"

 

[Franklyn]

I don't see any particular advantage, either. Unless the device's keyboard was in Braille, I don't think blind people would get much use out of it. And that's a niche market that wouldn't get you a good-looking p&l statement.

My vote is for gimmick. Lots of folks love gadgets. Me, I don't have that kind of scratch. Plus, as my wife points out, the voices are creepy.

 

[ainwood]

Originally posted by Franklyn
I don't see any particular advantage, either. Unless the device's keyboard was in Braille, I don't think blind people would get much use out of it.

Ah yes, but it would allow blind people to receive e-mail.

 

[Franklyn]

Good point, Ainwood.

But from these two examples, here and here, I'd deduce that no one who's peddling talking e-mail is thinking about blind people.

Btw, anyone here check their e-mail while brushing their teeth? If so, talking e-mail is for you. (Check the second link for more details.)

 

[Knight-Dragon]

Out in the open, I would rather not have my email being vocally spoken aloud. Privacy reasons.

In private, what's the point? I can read faster than it's being read to me anyway.

And can the email being read if words are misspelt and sentences grammatically mangled?

 

[damunzy]

The point is that a normal cell phone has from 1 to 3 lines for text. Not very many lines so reading your emails would be a pain. So intead the phone company has a system to read them off to you. This allows you to check your email while driving (with a hand free set of course). For me, not very useful, for a lot of business poeple on the go.....priceless.

 

[Knight-Dragon]

Originally posted by PaleHorse76
The point is that a normal cell phone has from 1 to 3 lines for text. Not very many lines so reading your emails would be a pain. So intead the phone company has a system to read them off to you. This allows you to check your email while driving (with a hand free set of course). For me, not very useful, for a lot of business poeple on the go.....priceless.

Why would someone send an email to your handphone if they can call you or leave a voice msg?

What if someone sends you a really long email? You're not gonna listen all the way thru, are you?

And if you're driving, it'll distracting esp when it's about something close to your heart like "WARCRAFT3 HAD BEEN RELEASED!".

 

[damunzy]

Originally posted by Knight-Dragon
Why would someone send an email to your handphone if they can call you or leave a voice msg?

I think the point is to check your normal email when you don't have access to a computer, not to get people to send you emails when they have your cell number. Once again I think this is a tool for the business person on the go.

Originally posted by Knight-Dragon
What if someone sends you a really long email? You're not gonna listen all the way thru, are you?

Depends on who sent it. If it is an important business client, you better believe it, if it is the wife.....Sorry hun, the phone wasn't working correctly, but I love you to!

Originally posted by Knight-Dragon
And if you're driving, it'll distracting esp when it's about something close to your heart like "WARCRAFT3 HAD BEEN RELEASED!".

I would crach the car then! Well, since I have played the Beta I would have more control, but you get the point.

 

[knowltok2]

Well, I can see a slight business application, and more power to anyone who want this service for any reason, I not against it so much as I just don't see the point.

The commercial I saw repeatedly was aimed at kids. At least with lines like, "You are such a rock star!" I thought it was aimed at kids. Some businesses have different cultures, and may use that term in their day to day conversations.