Some Google Navigation Queries

BenEadir

Hi all,

I've been using Google Maps since it was released for Ireland and it has now consigned my trusty old Garmin Nuvi 310 to the glove compartment as an emergency backup.

There are a couple of things which bug me which I either haven't figured out yet or will simply have to live with until they are addressed in future releases which I'd appreciate some feedback on:-

1. Sometimes the TTS voice is a female American voice and sometimes an English voice. I've tried tweaking the TTS settings etc but can't seem to find any settings relating to Google Navigation. I'm guessing it's to to with version updates, sometimes a new version has a US voice and sometimes the new version has an English voice???

2. Sometimes the voice (whether US English or English English) annoyingly advises that "at the CIRCLE take the ..." and sometimes advises "at the ROUNDABOUT take the...". Again I'm guessing the change relates to version updates but would like to know for sure.

3. For the past few weeks the app seems incapable of completing the roundabout exit instruction. It will consistently say "At the roundabout take the" and nothing more. I was so used to it saying "At the roundabout take the 2nd exit" but for some bizzarre reason it no longer finishes the statement. It's almost as though the words 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and exit have been removed from the TTS library.

4. This one is a bit more of a challenge. Is it possible to remove Google Apps from being used by my phones Bluetooth application? (Samsung Galaxy II android phone) - The reason I ask is that when I get into the car I pair the phone via BT to the car radio for making and receiving calls, playing music etc but it's annoying in the middle of a call to have Google Apps announce "in 700m take the ramp" as it cuts off the music or the phone call when doing so. I'd much prefer for Google Navigation to make it's announcements via the speakerphone and let the bluetooth apps run away uninterrupted. I know I can mute the app and just read the screen but that's not ideal either as I need the audio prompt to ensure I don't miss my next turn!!! Any suggestions?

Ben

BenEadir

Bump anyone?? ^^^^

sesswhat

You may have more luck with more specific user forums.

BenEadir

sesswhat wrote: »

You may have more luck with more specific user forums.

Thanks Sesswhat, I had indeed tried the Google forums but not much joy I'm afraid. It seems to be a means for Google to colate bug reports and feature requests and that's about it. Very little two way communication.

I did stumble on a fairly nice solution to the horrible US English droid type voice. If you install the Ivona TTS engine https://market.android.com/details?id=com.ivona.tts&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEsImNvbS5pdm9uYS50dHMiXQ.. and then download their UK English library https://market.android.com/details?id=com.ivona.tts.voicebeta.eng.gbr.amy&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEsImNvbS5pdm9uYS50dHMudm9pY2ViZXRhLmVuZy5nYnIuYW15Il0. (which is free until Nov 15th) you can change your TTS in settings -> Voice Input and Output -> Test to Speech Settings -> Tick the IVONA Text-To-Speech engine option box then -> change default engine to IVONA you'll get Navigation (and all other TTS enabled services) delivered through a much easier to listen to UK female voice.

Definetly better than the Pico or Samsung TTS engines.

I also sussed out another good tip. If you changed your TTS engine prefernece from Pico to Samsung you'll find that Google Navigation no longer reads out street names. Apparently the Samsung TTS engine can't do street names!!

Ben