Database Users

Asking for some suggestions

Hey, I'm thinking about getting a xda mini s from ebay, mostly for making voip calls, and rest of the feature looks like bonus for me.
After doing a little bit research about this phone, every one suggest this is a brilliant smart phone. However, something I'm just not sure about is how is the quality of making voip calls.
The problems laying around addressed by most people online are:
1) only can use loudspeaker to make calls.
2) it looks like it's bit slow for skype, the voice quality are not very good, but haven't got anybody talk about sjphone.
3) how is the voice quality of the call over wifi.
If you guys know anything about voip, please let me know. I seriously think to get one, but just not sure I can use to do voip calls.
jian

Fring audio through bluetooth headsets

Anyone Fring users out there able to get caller/mic audio through the headset?
My setup is Blueant Q1 (8.21 firmware) with N1. Google listen and other audio apps play to the headset though the new A2DP support (sweet!). Calls though vodafone also works fine.
Could not find help googling around. Great forum. Thanks for any pointers!

No cigar for you or any other Fring user, including myself.
It is one of the outstanding feature reqs with Fring, along with
removing the uber annoying buzz messaging notification.
They seems to move reaaaaally slow, so it is going to be a while,
I am afraid.

Thanks for this. I can't see this as being a complicated thing to add. People with bluetooth car sets must have the same problem right?
I'd use the N1 supplied headset/mic, but it broke after the second week.
Fring if you are listening.. give me an option to get rid of the stupid test call on my friends list and like everyone else I want to be in control of my audio notifications. For the rest,,, great work.

A new Fring software update and still no bluetooth/headset or speakerphone support..... anyone care to venture a guess as to why this is such a difficult feature to add in?

Well,
an app that outputs audio, should not be concerned with just how that audio ends up getting delivered - over built-in jack or BT. All an app should do for that to work is to declare it wants to use BT when it is available.
Unfortunately, the Android doesn't work like that. Enabling app for BT seems to be a fairly involved affair, way too complicated.
As for speaker, same thinking should apply, except we lack a HW speaker button, so app needs to provide a toggle via its own UI.
And like I mentioned, Fring is a very weird app in how its been maintained, with updates barely trickling through, one every few months - which is way too slow.

Microphone levels VERY low

I have tried a number of different times to use Gtalk video chat - yet each time I've tried the people on the other end of the call say that they cannot hear me.
I've tried a number of different solutions..Cupping my hand behind the mic, repositioning the Xoom, yelling. Unfortunately the only one that works is YELLING. I still haven't tested with a bluetooth headset - that's my next move.
Has anyone else had this issue?

Yes
Ive used the microphone but not for voip.
I used'the microphone for the talking tomcat application, it worked fine but I did have to be fairly close to the microphone to get the best result, however I did not need to cup. And he would repeat me from a fair distance except it would be quite.
This is why at this point I'd check your connection and try either with more bars or over wifi (if that's not what you were using)
It worked fine for that app which is why I would assume witha good connection it would work fine. But I could be wrong.

Acer A500: Microphone, Skype, Gtalk

Using Skype, Gtalk, etc with A500.
I tried to make a call with Skype (Skype testing service) - the sound quality was poor.
Tried to make a call to another Skype user - I could hear him well, but my voice was muffled.
Solution:
Just plug in a headphone/earpiece (that has NO microphone) into the headset. You can then use the internal mic on the A500 to make your calls over Skype. The sound quality is very good in both skype and gtalk.
I did try my Iphone's earpiece, which has a mic, but the sound was muffled.
Hope this helps.

banksia said:
Using Skype, Gtalk, etc with A500.
I tried to make a call with Skype (Skype testing service) - the sound quality was poor.
Tried to make a call to another Skype user - I could hear him well, but my voice was muffled.
Solution:
Just plug in a headphone/earpiece (that has NO microphone) into the headset. You can then use the internal mic on the A500 to make your calls over Skype. The sound quality is very good in both skype and gtalk.
I did try my Iphone's earpiece, which has a mic, but the sound was muffled.
Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have to do this too, do any others not have to do this?

I spoke with my wife a few minutes ago and asked her how I sounded the other day. I used Gtalk and she did too... she was able to hear me and I was very clear.
Not only that, but I was using 3G with only a single bar. Had poor video quality obviously, but sound was flawless.

Called with video on gTalk, being on WIFI - good quality audio, average video...
Skype working with no problem, too

slavikf said:
Called with video on gTalk, being on WIFI - good quality audio, average video...
Skype working with no problem, too
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
where did you guys find the gtalk and Skype with video

wanderer82680 said:
where did you guys find the gtalk and Skype with video
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uhh gtalk has video with gmail gtalk or other supporting android device.
Skype I think has video only with select Verizon handsets or something like that

wanderer82680 said:
where did you guys find the gtalk and Skype with video
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only GTalk had video calling feature for me. It just was here originally. Called from my Desktop with web-cam to my Acer.
Skype - audio only. No video. (yet? )

ok got you. thanks guys

how did you guys managed to use gtalk with video in canada? Isn't it only available in states ?

Nope It is available everywhere in the world.
If the person you are trying to reach has a video version of gtalk you should see a green camera on the side.
PS for those that do not have a video version of gtalk on their android phone you can use a free app called vtok which allows videoconferencing with gtalk client
That is what i have been using on my HTC DHD and it works great.
Sent from my A500 using XDA Premium App

Where is the microphone located ? I'm never sure which areas to aim my voice towards when speaking.

Holding the A500 in portrait mode, with the volume control button on the right, look for a small hole on the right side, between the glass and the bezel.
It is about 5 inches from where the power switch is located.
________<----- on/off
| |
| |
| | <---- mic
| |
_________
If you have the Acer case, the mic is cover by the velcro tab (go figure).
Is there a mic for the front camera?
I can't seem to find one.

Thank you. Took me a minute but I found it. Voice to text has been very difficult thus far in comparison to my nexus 1.

is there a software fix to the mic issue?

banksia said:
Using Skype, Gtalk, etc with A500.
I tried to make a call with Skype (Skype testing service) - the sound quality was poor.
Tried to make a call to another Skype user - I could hear him well, but my voice was muffled.
Solution:
Just plug in a headphone/earpiece (that has NO microphone) into the headset. You can then use the internal mic on the A500 to make your calls over Skype. The sound quality is very good in both skype and gtalk.
I did try my Iphone's earpiece, which has a mic, but the sound was muffled.
Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks so just download the skype and you are in business. Is this easy to use sir?

found a fix, you can use an external mic the one built in is good but the software is making it retard. If you plug in a headphone with a mic in it or just a plain old mic it will work great, i have tested it for a good 3 hours, it works. Much much better sound.
google voice search doesn't work for $$$$ no matter how good your mic is. 3.1 was a huge ****up by acer HUGE

Can someone do some modification so that we can use video as people in galaxy s did?

my mcs are worthless can't do anything with them no voice commands work neither will the search or Skype or GT. Absolute bs

My mic works flawlessy for google voice search i have no idea how?

I think the issue is that some folks aren't used to a true noise cancelling mic. It's using a dual analog noise cancelling mic. so it's filtering noise while capturing your voice or capturing your voice 'twice' if you're using it properly/close by.
If you're trying to use the Mic in a noisy area, it may cancel some of your voice as noise unless you speak up or put it somewhat close to your face or speak directly facing it. In other words, picture yourself on a video call. When you set yourself up to be seen by the camera properly, that is ultimately when the Mic will be at it's best.
I imagine people are using it with with a phone's mic in mind but they are unfortunately not the same. A phone's mic is located as close to the mouth as possible without allowing users to blow into it. The mic on the A500 is located away/out of finger reach, primarily and directly facing your mouth.
In the end, I think the best advice for using the mic is telling you to use it like you're on a speakerphone call. Clear, precise vocalization. You can also run the best test with the Voice Recorder to kind of hear how well your voice is picked up from various angles. I found, as I mentioned before...that I am most clear in either portrait or landscape mode with the tablet roughly a foot to 18 inches from my face, similar to how I'd hold it for a web cam. I found that if I spoke as if I were using a speakerphone, I got the best results....even while the TV is on or music is playing. I lost ground however, when I lay the tablet flat on a surface or docked out of line of sight, that is, beside me or elsewhere. I also have no issues with using Google Voice Search.

Amazon Kindle Fire Skype apk

Does anyone have a working Skype apk that works w/ Amazon Kindle Fire?

a1exus said:
Does anyone have a working Skype apk that works w/ Amazon Kindle Fire?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haven't you heard the news?
You can't make audio/video calls on Skype yet, no microphone is supported as of today.
You can only use it for IM.
apk is here

killyy said:
Haven't you heard the news?
You can't make audio/video calls on Skype yet, no microphone is supported as of today.
You can only use it for IM.
apk is here
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i think i saw someone said that if your headset has 3 pins that'd work as mic, i use that headset w/ my android phone all the time, so i should be able to use it w/ kindle

a1exus said:
i think i saw someone said that if your headset has 3 pins that'd work as mic, i use that headset w/ my android phone all the time, so i should be able to use it w/ kindle
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It has been said a lot about those mics in that thread, but the OP made 2 different opinions about using skype. The other users only used those mics with Voice Recording(Tape-a-talk app I think), nobody was able to make a call with skype.
Could you please share your experience with the 3 pins microphone? (I haven't got any of them so I can't try)

killyy said:
It has been said a lot about those mics in that thread, but the OP made 2 different opinions about using skype. The other users only used those mics with Voice Recording(Tape-a-talk app I think), nobody was able to make a call with skype.
Could you please share your experience with the 3 pins microphone? (I haven't got any of them so I can't try)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Crashes for me...
Sent from my ADR6400L using xda premium

killyy said:
It has been said a lot about those mics in that thread, but the OP made 2 different opinions about using skype. The other users only used those mics with Voice Recording(Tape-a-talk app I think), nobody was able to make a call with skype.
Could you please share your experience with the 3 pins microphone? (I haven't got any of them so I can't try)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Crashes for me as well. I was hopeful given the threads about 3 pin mic support. I have extra headsets--if you dm I'll send you one.

I only tried voice calling the Echo / Sound Test Service, and it doesn't crash. However, it does just hang up after it rings.

I was able to launch the Skype apk attached to this thread successfully. It allowed me to make an outgoing call with the Fire and using the Edutige EIM-001 mic, but it disconnected the call a second or two after I picked up the call on my cell. I wasn't able to hear my voice when I called my cell since it disconnected so quickly. Unfortunately this is a mic only with a TRRS connector so the speakers are disconnected when it is plugged in. I am going to do some tests to see if I can rig the mic to work without causing Fire speaker disconnect. I still have to test with Google Voice.

I would be interested to know about it very much. So far I have no luck to make a call using mic

I been working on the mic problem all night. So far I think this tablet is missing something. Skype loads but wen making a call it does not see a mic at all.
Changing settings I have got the mic to work with a recorder for a test done a 20 min voice test no problems at all. But other apps like talking tom so on give error of no mic found.
Still working on this but not seeing what the problem could be.

troydog said:
I been working on the mic problem all night. So far I think this tablet is missing something. Skype loads but wen making a call it does not see a mic at all.
Changing settings I have got the mic to work with a recorder for a test done a 20 min voice test no problems at all. But other apps like talking tom so on give error of no mic found.
Still working on this but not seeing what the problem could be.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a successful call using Google Voice but unfortunately only one direction
I mean I could make a call and the other party could receive this call. The problem is that I could hear what that party talk but I can't get his voice. It looks that it works only incoming direction ... but it looks to me that mic itself is ok.
Anyone has has better experience?

susja said:
I have a successful call using Google Voice but unfortunately only one direction
I mean I could make a call and the other party could receive this call. The problem is that I could hear what that party talk but I can't get his voice. It looks that it works only incoming direction ... but it looks to me that mic itself is ok.
Anyone has has better experience?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What are the changes that you made? Were you using a standard headset mic?
Sounds promising....

I did no changes. I used mic: Universal 3.5mm In-Ear Stereo Headset w/ On-off & Mic for , HTC myTouch 4G Unfortunately I don't have enough technical knowledge to resolve the issue although it sounds promising