StartTalking lets drivers send texts by voice

Distracted driving is dangerous. Boston-based AdelaVoice says it has come up with a free Android app called StartTalking to address the issue.

StartTalking is billed as the world’s first smartphone app that lets motorists keep their eyes glued to the road and hands upon the wheel when composing a text. The company claims that unlike other text messaging apps that require you to peek at or touch the handset at some point, StartTalking is all voice-controlled all the way. There’s no need to open any app or navigate menus. It can even operate when the phone screen is dark or the keypad is locked You simply bark out a pre-assigned name to “wake up” the phone and start StartTalking. Following audio prompts—”Speak to create a text message for Ed or say ‘cancel,'” you can dictate and properly route your message. StartTalking can play back texts too.

You can have StartTalking send regular text messages to a mobile phone or have it send audio recordings in your own voice to the device. Though free, Adela plans to extend its technology to third party developers, and expects to charge down the road for premium services. The app, which is still in beta, will be available in the Android Market store on Thursday. Adela also plans to develop versions for other smartphone platforms.

By Ed Baig