Text by Voice for Android Reads Incoming SMS Messages Aloud, Sends Them Using Your Voice [Video]

By Alan Henry Oct 18, 2011 4:00 AM 9,471 39

Android: There are a lot of apps out there that can send text messages using your voice, including Google's own in-built Voice Actions. However, not many read your incoming messages out loud when they arrive. That's where Sonalight's new app, Text By Voice, comes in.

Once the app is running, Text by Voice is completely hands-free. It's similar to Vlingo in that it listens for a specific trigger phrase, and when you speak it the app jumps into action, acknowledges that you spoke to it, and waits for a command. Tell the app who you want to send a message to and what that message should say, and the app will send it. When you get a response, the app will alert you to the incoming message and speak it aloud as well, giving you the opportunity to reply right away or wait.

Text by Voice stands out because it makes the entire process of sending and receiving texts completely hands-free, which is perfect if you're driving and want to tell someone where you are or how long it'll be until you arrive without touching the phone. Even Google's own Voice Actions require that you tap the screen or long-press the search button to send a message, and it won't read your incoming messages to you. Some Bluetooth headsets include an app that will read incoming messages aloud, but you still have to tap the headset to respond.

Text by Voice is a solid addition to Google's own Voice Actions, but you have to have it running for the app to help you, so remember to start it every time you get in the car. For more voice-activated and hands-free Android utilities, check out our list of Siri-like apps for Android. Do you have a preferred app that will send and receive text messages aloud? Let us know in the comments below.

Sonalight Text by Voice

You can reach Alan Henry, the author of this post, at alan@lifehacker.com, or better yet, follow him on Twitter or Google+. Related Stories

AppExtractor Selectively Restores Apps, SMS Messages, and Data from Backed Up ROMs [Android Downloads]

By Alan Henry Oct 17, 2011 4:00 AM 3,397 4

Android (Rooted:) If you use ROM Manager to do full-device backups of your Android phone like we explained, there may be times when you need to dig into one of those old backups to find something you deleted. With AppExtractor, you can selectively pull apps, data, SMS and MMS messages, and other files from your ROM Manager backups.

It requires your phone be rooted to use, and it only currently works with ROM Manager backups, but if you meet both requirements, you can use this new app to dig into your old backups to find apps you may have uninstalled that are no longer available, or to pull messages from old friends that you may have lost. The app is free in the Android Market, but the free version only allows you to restore MMS and SMS messages. You'll have to pay $1.99 for the unlock key to get the app's full functionality.

If you're looking for ways to back up your device without doing whole-ROM backups, check out our guide to using Titanium Backup to set up an automated, foolproof backup process for your Android device. Titanium Backups are also a bit easier to selectively restore from as well. Still, ROM Manager can be great if you're flashing a new ROM and forgot to restore something from your backup, or if you get a replacement phone of the same make and model and use ROM Manager to move all of your data.

Thanks to Andy, the app's developer, for sending in the tip!

AppExtractor | Android App Market via Handy Andy Apps

You can reach Alan Henry, the author of this post, at alan@lifehacker.com, or better yet, follow him on Twitter or Google+. Related Stories