AIVC (Alice)

Features & Use

Tested on:
Samsung Galaxy Note 2
Android version: 4.1.2
Root: No
Modifications: None
Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1
Android ersion: 4.0.4
Root: Yes
Modifications: None

Permissions are all necessary for AIVC to perform efficiently.

Since AIVC (Alice) first came out it has been continuously updated and the current version of the assistant is the best it's ever been. Without too much fuss and hassle, it is now possible to set up your own commands and answers. In my case, Alice can now answer the question, “Who's your master?” with “You are, your highness.”. Okay, I'll admit that there are more mature uses for one's time, but the feature itself is a very useful indeed (provided you don't give into the same degree of silliness as I clearly have).

A brief, concise how-to can be downloaded as an PDF file and I predict that even complete novices should be able to “programme” a few commands within a few minutes, tops.

Much like SIRI, AIVC (Alice) makes a fun chatbot. She can tell jokes and has a few hilarious come-backs on board. When you interrogate her re: people, places and events she will usually recite the beginning of a related Wikipedia article, which is often quite helpful. Alice's weak point is answering straight forward questions; whenever this is the case she'll simply not say anything, and not offer an internet search, either. Google Now is more efficient in this regard.

Alice can now also access all calendars and keep you up to speed re: upcoming appointments. The alarm clock is easy to set and works well. Some features are only available for premium users.

Bottom line:

AIVC (Alice) is still one of the best assistants for Android there is. Speech input is not 100%, but since Alice has been drawing on Google speech recognition she has been steadily improving.

Screen & Controls

AIVC (Alice) has not changed all that much: there are still only two designs that are simple but effective.

Absolutely no issues with the app's controls.

Speed & Stability

AIVC (Alice) performed mostly without issues on both devices, but every now and then we were left without an answer or the connection was interrupted. Don't worry though, this didn't happen all too often.

Price/Performance Ratio

AIVC (Alice) is free and available from the App Center and Google Play. Ad banners are displayed on one side of the display. The full version costs €2.13 and is of course free of ads.