Say your reading instead of setting it

If setting the sliders is awkward for you, you can say the numbers from your monitor instead. The app fills them in; you check them and save. Voice entry is free. The app itself calls it experimental, so always check the values before you save.

What you need

• The Dictate button is on the Data tab, under Manual blood pressure measurement. It only appears when your phone has a speech recognition service, such as the one from Google. Phones without Google services usually have none, and then the button is not shown.
• An internet connection. On most phones, speech is turned into text online.

Say your reading

1. Measure your blood pressure with your monitor.

2. In the app, open the Data tab and tap Dictate.

3. The first time, the app shows a short note with examples of what to say. Tap OK.

4. Android asks whether the app may use the microphone. Allow it, then tap Dictate again.

5. When the title changes to Listening…, say the three numbers in this order: systolic, diastolic, pulse. For example: "120 on 80 on 70". The field that will be filled next is highlighted.

6. The app stops listening when it has all three numbers, or after a few seconds of silence.

7. Check the sliders Sys., Dia. and Pul.. Correct any value on its slider.

8. Tap Add to save the reading. Nothing is saved until you do.

What the app understands

• Only numbers. Each number you say goes into the next field: first Systolic, then Diastolic, then Pulse. Words in between, such as "on" or "over", are ignored.
• You can also name each value, for example "systolic 120 diastolic 80 pulse 70". The app recognises the words Systolic, Diastolic, Pulse and Heart Rate, and the short forms Sys., Dia. and Pul.. It looks for these words in the language the app is shown in. To be safe, say the values in order even when you name them.
• Tags, notes, weight and the date cannot be spoken. Set them on the screen.

Which languages work

The app does not choose a language for speech. Your phone listens in its own speech recognition language, usually the language of the phone. Numbers work in any language, as long as your phone writes them as digits. The words for systolic, diastolic and pulse only work in the language the app is shown in, so if the phone and the app use different languages, say the numbers only.

What to check if it does not work

• There is no Dictate button. Your phone has no speech recognition service, or the Data tab shows the smaller input screen without the row of buttons. See Add a reading: date, time and values for how to switch the input screen.
• Nothing happens when you tap Dictate. The app may not have access to the microphone. Open the phone's Settings, then Apps, find the app, and allow the microphone.
• The app shows Internet connection is required to process speech.. Connect to Wi-Fi or mobile data and try again.
• The app shows Couldn't start speech service. Please check if speech service is enabled in your system settings.. Check in the phone's settings that a speech recognition service is installed and switched on.
• A value is missing. The app shows what to say next for a moment, for example Say: Pulse 65. Tap Dictate again and say all three numbers, or set the missing value on its slider.
• A number lands in the wrong field. Set it on the slider, or tap Dictate and say all three numbers again, in order.