Review Conditions

VoiceQ from SBSH Mobile Software Ltd was installed on a Nokia E71, an S60 3rd edition, FP 1 device.

Installation

Installation can be done via the PC using the Nokia application installer or by downloading the file OTA and installing it on the go. You need to register with SBSH by giving your email address to begin the download.

First View

Why do we need another voice recorder for a Symbian phone? What is VoiceQ going to provide over and above the default application that will make you buy it? Read on.

Main Review

VoiceQ is a solution for users who wish to take notes on the go and don’t have the time or inclination to write it down. But when there are dedicated Voice Recorders available in the market and by default all Symbian mobiles come with a very good voice recorder, why does one need another one?

What makes VoiceQ stand apart is its simplicity in use and email of the voice memo to a desired email id almost instantly. Furthermore, it can do it in just 2 clicks.

VoiceQ expects the messaging application to have one email mailbox setup already to function. Unless the email is setup, VoiceQ cannot email to voice memo to an email address. VoiceQ works only with the built in messaging application and does not work with other email clients like Nokia Messaging, Profimail, etc.

When the application is opened, you get the “Ready” screen where you can click “Record” to begin recording the voice memo. While recording, the screen shows that the “Recording” is in progress. Once voice memo is complete, you can stop recording and you get the option to Email the memo.

All this can be accomplished in two clicks. To facilitate even faster operation, there are 2 options that can be setup. These two options are to start recording the moment VoiceQ is opened and to email immediately after the memo is recorded. With these two option set, you only have to start the application and start talking. VoiceQ will do the rest.

You can insert multiple email addresses by separating them with the ‘;’ character (i.e.: a@aaa.com; b@bbb.com)

VoiceQ uses the same sound file for all of your recordings. Once you start recording, the previous recording is overwritten (but the attachments stay in the e-mail). This will save space on your device while keeping your attached voice notes intact. The idea is that the voice memo does not have to be present in the mobile’s memory card after it has been emailed out.

Each recording is saved to a WAV sound file which can be played in every standard sound player. The encoding is done as PCM audio format, 128 kbps Bit Rate, 16bit Audio sample size, mono (1channel), 8kHz Audio sample rate. This means that the file is pretty small for an audio file (about 1MB = 1 minute). The recording is limited by 10 minutes. This was done as a design decision, because there is not a real point in sending an email with a huge attachment.

Handling

VoiceQ is extremely easy to use. There were no issues in using it.

Weaknesses

The same sound file is overwritten for each voice memo with the assumption that it will always be emailed out immediately. It may so happen that there is no WiFi or GPRS/3G connection at certain regions. In these cases, if the user wants to record multiple voice memos, only the latest will remain and all others will be lost. There should be an option to enable email. If email is not enabled, the sound files should not be overwritten.

Conclusion

At 160 Kilobytes, VoiceQ is a tiny application that delivers what it promises with great simplicity. For the ever traveling businessman, who has to take notes on the go, VoiceQ is a very useful application. Its good stuff and I’ll give it 4 of 5. You can try a full-featured version of VoiceQ for 12 days or purchase it at $5.95 here.

Tagged as: S60, SBSH, Voice memo, Voice Recorder, VoiceQ