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Tim Cook Emphasizes Importance of Voice Messaging, Sparking iWatch Speculation

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UBS analyst Steve Milunovich recently had a chance to meet up with Tim Cook, as detailed in a new note Milunovich sent to investors on Tuesday (via Fortune). During the meeting, Cook reportedly touched on the subject of voice messaging and based on Cook's comments, Milunovich is predicting a voice messaging app as a key feature of Apple's upcoming iWatch.
"When we visited with Tim Cook, he said that walking down streets in China one sees people speaking into their phones sending voice rather than text messages. Porting this capability to the watch makes sense as it is easier to send a voice message from a device already on the wrist than pulling out a phone. It also could aid penetration of China, which Cook said has a ways to go."
Click to expand...
Cook's comments on voice messaging were likely in relation to a new feature built into Messages in iOS 8, which allows users to record and send audio messages. In iOS 8, the Messages app has a new Microphone icon located to the right of the text box, which can be held down to record a quick voice message.

It is not known if Apple has plans to build a similar feature into the iWatch, but it is not out of the realm of possibility. Rumors have previously suggested Siri's voice-recognition capabilities might play an important role on the device given its limited screen size, and voice messages may be another natural fit.

voicemessagesios8.jpg
Apple's iWatch is said to be entering production in the near future, in preparation for a possible October launch. The device, which is expected to run a version of iOS 8, is believed to be reliant on existing iOS devices for some of its core Phone and Messages functionality. Current rumors suggest it may have multiple screen sizes up to 2.5-inches in size, a range of health-related sensors, and a multitude of designs to suit different fashion tastes.

Article Link: Tim Cook Emphasizes Importance of Voice Messaging, Sparking iWatch Speculation
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2014/07/02/tim-cook-voice-messaging/
pseudomichael

pseudomichael

macrumors newbie
Aug 7, 2012
10
1
Tim Cook farted Wednesday afternoon, sparking 14 new apple rumors. Analysts are now saying that Apple is doomed, but someone familiar with the matter told the WSJ that it's Google who should be worried.
 
M

Michaelgtrusa

macrumors 604
Oct 13, 2008
7,900
1,821
Aid penetration of China? The slave labor is not enough? Lets hope this new feature works out well.
 
Klae17

Klae17

macrumors 65816
Jul 15, 2011
1,227
1,578
As long as voice isn't the only input on the iWatch. The iPod Shuffle with VoiceOver sucked.
 
N

nikko1423

macrumors member
Sep 12, 2012
47
48
The only problem with this article is that it doesn't tell us how he came to be so close to Tim... :p
 
F

furam90

macrumors 6502
Jun 15, 2010
251
230
Voice messaging isn't going to catch on, it's just too awkward. People already do everything possible to avoid calling someone. Unless its urgent, messaging will be relegated to texts.
 
A

ahlsn

macrumors member
Sep 1, 2013
84
22
Apple announced 22 new dictation languages at WWDC14. I think it's pretty clear where this is going.
 
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NT1440

NT1440

macrumors G5
May 18, 2008
14,658
20,965
furam90 said:
Voice messaging isn't going to catch on, it's just too awkward. People already do everything possible to avoid calling someone. Unless its urgent, messaging will be relegated to texts.
Click to expand...

I think this is really meant to (finally) take over for the walkie-talkie "push to talk" functionality that used to be used all the time.
 
William Gates

William Gates

macrumors 6502
Oct 26, 2007
361
981
furam90 said:
Voice messaging isn't going to catch on, it's just too awkward. People already do everything possible to avoid calling someone. Unless its urgent, messaging will be relegated to texts.
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You should change your handle to Jon Snow
 
chfilm

chfilm

macrumors 68040
Nov 15, 2012
3,306
1,987
Berlin
this whole iwatch thing... I'm really wondering if it will be for me. I can't figure out at all what it would be good for, other than to please investors.
But maybe / hopefully I'm just in the dark and it will be a MUST HAVE gadget once it's out... Really curious! :)

Oh new smileys ;)
 
macduke

macduke

macrumors G5
Jun 27, 2007
13,141
19,677
I thought of this as soon as I saw the round interface for the feature in iOS 8. I imagine the iWatch being similar, with perhaps different swipe gestures activating various interface elements.

As for why people in China are using voice messaging: Have you seen their language? Yeah. I'd rather voice message too.

I actually think voice messaging makes more sense than texting but won't ever fully replace it. The voice has inflection (no more misinterpreting a period at the end of a sentence). A short message has the benefit of a text in that you don't get sucked into a conversation that would take more time, yet is less private in that other people can hear you talking out loud. But it's also easier to execute while multitasking. I think that each will have their place in our daily routine.
 
C

currentinterest

macrumors 6502a
Aug 22, 2007
682
664
My guess is that texting in Mandarin may take more effort than texting in some other languages, particularly when walking down the street. If so, what might be true for China may not hold for other parts of the world.
 
T

Tiger8

macrumors 68020
May 23, 2011
2,479
649
rosalindavenue said:
So what you're saying is that tomorrow Samsung announces its Galaxy Gear IV Voice Message model?
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WhatsApp had the ability to send voice text for months, if not years. Apple is late to the party here.
 
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Westernease

macrumors newbie
Jul 2, 2014
2
0
So then what's the little button just left of the space bar? I've been converting my voice to text for years now.
 
F

furam90

macrumors 6502
Jun 15, 2010
251
230
William Gates said:
You should change your handle to Jon Snow
Click to expand...

You think Voice messaging will catch on? People still get awkward about even using Siri in public. I just don't see talking briefly to your wrist being a popular method of communication.
 
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