I've been using a PDA and want to switch to a Blackberry. My PDA has a voice memo feature that let's me record a voice message for myself by pressing a button on the side of the PDA. This is very handy especially when I think of something I want to remember while driving, etc.

I can then sync the voice files with my desktop which copies them as notes into MS Outlook.

Do any of the Blackberry models have this type of voice memo feature? If not, how do people with Blackberry's record fleeting thoughts or ideas while driving or while otherwise unable to key in a message on their device?

Thanks for your help.

Shel

No, no BlackBerry can do voice memos.

A voice memo app would be killer ...

You answered the first part of my question. Blackberries don't have a convenient way to record a quickie voice message.

What about the second part of the question? What do Blackberry users do when they want to record a quick thought about something while driving or generally unable to type messages into their keypads?

Thanks again.

Shel

I am actually not trying to be sarcastic, although I know it will come off that way. I, as a rule, try to remeber it, then write it down/type it in the next time I have a chance. Much like I did before PDAs existed.

Call your home or office and leave a message on the answering machine.

If you have free voice mail you could just leave your self notes on that and it will leave you a little icon saying you have unlistened to voice mail to reminde you

Edit: Doh beeten to it, must podate pages more often

Oh yes... I will give this a thumbs up as well. That, together with a BB OS that will allow tighter integration/functionality with Programs like PocketDay Pro, will indeed promote the BB as a killer PDA.

My cellphone has a voice memo feature as does my HP Ipaq PDA. I was hoping to elimante both those devices and switch to my Blackberry. Maybe someone will come out with a voice memo feature for the Blackberry as I am really spoiled and don't want to give up the feature. There doesn't seem to be any good workaround, other than just remembering what your thought was.

Shel

Maye the 8100 will have it, i mean it has external memory and multimedia functions along with a camera so it should do really. But wev another month or so prolly tilll thats out.

It seems like if the Blackberry has an external button that can launch a designated application, it wouldn't be that hard to develop the software other than it would need some type of microphone and speaker (hardware component) to record and playback the messages.

Shel

But the bb is lacking in memory for any real recordings, like mine has about 8meg free normally, that would get me an hour of voice maybe. but it depends on hardware, as my phone only does adp ring tones it prolly doesnt have any hardware to decode anything else, and im assuming the decoder chip doesnt support encoding and theres definately not the processing power to encode through software.

I would envision the need for recording time to be very small. It's mainly used for noting quick thoughts when you can't conveniently access a keyboard. I suspect a hardware manufacturer will come out with a Blackberry version with a voice memo and people will beat a path to their door.

The Blackberries without a voice feature will become like the last generation PDAs that have no voice feature.

I wouldn't be surprised if the new device is made in India since they seem to be about 15 years ahead of the West in technology skills.

Shel

It seems like it should be a feasible feature to add considering that my bottom-of-the-line Nokia from 2004 had such a feature...

I'm with Shel on this. Voice clips are an incredible productivity tool. I currently use an Olympus DS-2 for short audio clips and a BB 7130c for phone. This should be simple. With something like a cut-down version of the VoiceControl for 7130e reconfigured for the "c" model. Allen

Maybe one of the hardware manufacturers will read this post or possibly it will be acted on by their competitors who can offer this feature to gain a productivity advantage over the Blackberry.

Shel

The right implementation would be (overcoming local storage limitations) to record the voice clip on the device and after finishing the recording upload to the server (like an email attachment). The challenge might be in the implementation of the replay (streaming, storage, etc...). This is just just a guess; there must be a good technical reason why this application is not available.

Zoltan