Google voice typing can't connect to google

[tzr916]

I really like to type texts using my voice vs the keyboard. When it is able to "connect to google", it does a great job of hearing what I say and typing it into the text perfectly. But more than 75% of the time it "cannot connect to googe" so it doesn't type anything at all. Sometimes I can re-try and it will work but most times I end up resorting to the keyboard after four or five voice tries.

Doesn't matter if I am on Wifi or 4G. Using default HTC keyboard. No keyboard apps installed. I have verified Settings > Language & Keyboard > Google voice typing > Offline speech recognition > Downloaded Languages > and there is English(US) V28 pre-installed.

So shouldn't it work even if it can't connect to Google?

HTC One M8
Adroid v4.4.2

 

[John Bean]

It uses Google servers for speech processing so yes, a connection is required to make it work.

If you've ever used a handheld device that claims to be able to able to process speech to text locally and in real time you'll appreciate how badly it works (if at all) compared with Google's approach, especially if you have a strong accent of any kind.

The local "speech recognition" packs are only helpers, they don't do the real work.

 

[tzr916]

This is strange- I put the phone in Airplane mode (no cell & no wifi) then speak a text message, and it works EVERY time! Yet it chokes 75% of the time when the phone is in normal mode (cell/wifi). Seems like it has a problem falling back to the offline pack when there is an issue with google, even when I make multiple attempts...

 

[John Bean]

Interesting. I don't actually use it but last time I had a play with it the offline mode was useless. Online worked fine. Must be my accent ;-)