Introducing CrocusContact, a new iOS app that enables you to use just your voice to create a Contact

By Peter D, 10 May, 2016

Forum

iOS and iPadOS

CrocusContact is an new iPhone app which enables iPhone users to just use their voice to quickly create a Contact entry. CrocusContact uses speech-to-text technology to convert what you say into a contact, which you can then tell Siri to dial. CrocusContact uses audio to prompt you for the first name, last name, business name if applicable, and phone number. It then just creates the new contact information, and that's all. Out of respect for your privacy CrocusContact doesn't read any other information on your phone including your existing Contact entries! CrocusContact would rather create a duplicate Contact's entry than go through your existing Contact's entries. CrocusContact is a thin app that puts the power of your voice back into you controlling your iPhone! I created CrocusContact after a relative with low-visibility asked my advice for the suitability of her replacing her flip-type cellphone with an iPhone. We went through and listed all the tasks she wanted her cellphone to do. She was able to accomplish everything by using Siri except to create a contact. After checking new iOS release after new iOS release, I created CrocusContact because I felt bad she still couldn't use Siri to create a contact . . . the only item left on her must have list. Though to Apple's credit they have created an ability for clients of state agencies that provides services to the blind, and handicapped, to download the CrocusContact and no-charge. For the rest of us, CrocusContact is less than a buck (which helps offset the no-charge downloads). Being new to this site I understand that it would be helpful if somebody who downloads the app would add it to the site’s App Directory. Direct link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/crocuscontact/id1045986423?mt=8

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Comments

Need Peter's contact

Hi Peter. Thanks for this app. I'd like to contact you about issues before posting here. The contact link in the Apple Store isn't working.

CrocusContact's contact email

Hello, please feel free to contact the developer of CrocusContact at CrocusContactApp@gmail.com

Prompting chord must finish playing before you speak

CrocusContact plays a chord to indicate when it is ready to listen to you speak. The chord duration is less than a second, but it does quietly taper off. To prevent audio feedback the microphone isn't turned on until after the chord is completely played. In order to get the best results please wait until after the chord has completely played. It's a nice chord. Can anyone guess which note it is?

5-11-16's Complementary CrocusContact download codes

CrocusContact's direct link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/crocuscontact/id1045986423?mt=8

AppleVis is a great site operated by very conscientious people, and has a large community of excellent contributors and visitors. To give thanks to the contributors and visitors, for the next few days I'll be posting two no-charge download codes for CrocusContact I'll post an additional two codes each day if the two people who use that day's original codes post a note indicating they used a code. Due to Apple's respectful privacy policies there is no way to determine if these codes have been used.

To redeem the Promo codes open the App Store app on that iOS device, choose the Featured icon at the bottom of the window, navigate all the way to the bottom of that screen, select the Redeem button in the third row from the bottom, follow Apple's instruction and enter either of the following codes:
XP4PT443HKNY
EP9KRRWJPJ6L

Alternately, you can follow Apple's directions for redeeming a "Promo Code".
See direct link: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201209#iOS

thank you

thank you so much for this. It could be a very usefull app when pressed for time, or when connecting with people on the fly. Also, is that note a G?

awesome app idea!

I always wanted something like this, that'd allow me to create a contact easily and immediately. It'll be good for adding tons of contacts quickly as well! Hopefully I'll snag one of those codes! Unfortunately they've already been redeemed. Keep up the great work man!

5-12-16's Complementary CrocusContact download codes

CrocusContact's direct link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/crocuscontact/id1045986423?mt=8

As I mentioned before, AppleVis is a great site operated by very conscientious people, and has a large community of excellent contributors and visitors. To give thanks to the contributors and visitors, for the next few days I'll be posting two no-charge download codes for CrocusContact I'll post an additional two codes each day if the two people who use that day's original codes post a note indicating they used a code. Due to Apple's respectful privacy policies there is no way to determine if these codes have been used.

Alternately, you can follow Apple's directions for redeeming a "Promo Code".
See direct link: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201209#iOS

I have redeemed the first code!

I have redeemed the first code; What's the next step? Do I just go to the apps store and download your app or what? Marc Baillargeon.

Marc Baillargeon
Edmonton, Alberta

Email:

boogins@telus.net

I've Redeemed The Second Code

I've redeemed the second code, and am now just waiting for the app to install. Looking forward to using it.

Thanks.

Kelly

Having Problems Using This App

I finally got Crocus Contact installed, and have allowed it to access the microphone and my contacts, but I'm not sure what to do next. All I get is a screen with an unlabeled button that, when pressed, crashes the app and sends me back to the Home screen, and a blank area (I guess) that VoiceOver doesn't speak. The first time I ran the app, there was a text field with nothing in it, but I haven't seen it since.
I'm using this with a 5th Generation iPod Touch. Has anyone else experienced these problems?

Follow-up to your comment

Kelly,

After the privacy disclaimer, which is suppressed after eight CrocusContact launches, the app articulates what it will do. CrocusContact verbalizes the following “CrocusContact will now ask you some questions to create a contact for you…”. It then goes on and says “Shall we get started? After the tone Say Okay”. At this point you just say “Okay”. CrocusContact then continues to ask you questions needed to create a contact. After all the necessary information is spoken, a contact is created and the app closes.

Still Not Working

Hi Peter,

I tried uninstalling and reinstalling the app, but it didn't make any difference. I hear the privacy notice, the tone, and then the screen with the button and edit box pops up. The app doesn't ask any questions. I even tried disabling VoiceOver, but that didn't help.

ALSO HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES AS YOU DESCRIBED!

I have the latest IOS installed on my IPhone 6 and am experiencing similar issues as to what you described Kelly. I even ddeleted and reinstalled the app, hoping that it was a bad download or something. Upon opening the app I got the message to that the app would need to have access to the microphone and to my contacts which I ensured both were enabled and after the music got the same screen as you with the text field and a similar button which crashed the app. Even tried turning voiceover off and using Siri to open the app and got the same screen anyway. No luck as of yet to get this app going!

Marc Baillargeon
Edmonton, Alberta

RECIEVED THE SAME INSTRUCTIONS IN AN EMAIL FROM PETER PRIOR TO P

Hey Peter:

I don't think its us! Kelly and I are having similar issues on two different devices. What are you using that's making it work for you? Hopefully you can get this resolved??? Thanks.

Marc Baillargeon
Edmonton, Alberta Canada

NOTHING LIKE THAT ATTACHMENT PETER SENT KELLY AND I ON MY PHONE!

I get the intro screen, the music and then nothing; with a similar screen as Kelly described--this is on an IPhone 6 running the latest IOS.

marc Baillargeon
Edmonton, Alberta Canada

2nd set of 5-12-16's Complementary CrocusContact download codes

CrocusContact's direct link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/crocuscontact/id1045986423?mt=8

Alternately, you can follow Apple's directions for redeeming a "Promo Code".
See direct link: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201209#iOS

Code FKAJLHE36LY7 is used

Hello,
I have redeemed the code mentioned above in the subject line.

Regards,
Greg Wocher

code P73E7M34F4XW is now used

second code is now used, thanks for that, this may help with some of my students. the app worked fine for me on an iPhone 6s running VoiceOver and IOS 9.3.1, after I made sure the mute switch was not enabled. only crashed once.

5-13-16's Complementary CrocusContact download codes

CrocusContact's direct link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/crocuscontact/id1045986423?mt=8

Alternately, you can follow Apple's directions for redeeming a "Promo Code".
See direct link: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201209#iOS

Y4N4NLFRY4W6 Has been used

Y4N4NLFRY4W6 Has been used thanks!

5-14-16's Complementary CrocusContact download codes

CrocusContact's direct link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/crocuscontact/id1045986423?mt=8

Alternately, you can follow Apple's directions for redeeming a "Promo Code".
See direct link: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201209#iOS

Could the note be a . . .

Music Fairy, absolutely correct! The prompting sound is a naturally struck G note. The sound decays naturally, so the CrocusContact user needs to wait for the sound to end before speaking.

Yay got 3AJXHPEN7PTF!

Finally got one! downloading now. Thanks!!!!!!

App installed, a couple things.

Ok everything installed perfectly. I ran the app, and first time I ran it, I didn't get any prompts. I just got an unlabeled button and an edit box. I clicked button, and app crashed. Second time everything worked fine and my contact was created. Button and edit box are still there, but I did get the voice prompts. Dev mentioned the program won't ask you for permission to access your contacts, however it asked me the first time I ran it, not sure if that was supposed to happen or if I misunderstood. I don't mind either way so it's fine for me, just thought I'd toss that out there. I also noticed there's some stuttering going on with this program. the voice and the note that plays before speaking do this. It could be that I'm running an older iphone though, anyone else experience this? Great little program you have there sir, congrats! A suggestion: the ability to skip the long voice prompts in future update, maybe by double tapping anywhere on the screen? that'll definitely speed things up if one already knows how the program works. keep up the great work!

used 2nd code

As the subject line says, I have just installed the app with the 2nd code. Looking forward to trying it out.

using the app

I have just downloaded the app and am trying to get to grips with it. When I first opened it it asked for access to my contacts and microphone which I agreed to. I then heard the chord and from reading messages on hear I tried both saying okay and clicking on the unlabled button. Clicking on the button crashed the app and when I tried saying okay instead it just kept playing the chord sound. Wondering if anyone can help?

2nd set of 5-14-16's Complementary CrocusContact download codes

CrocusContact's direct link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/crocuscontact/id1045986423?mt=8

Alternately, you can follow Apple's directions for redeeming a "Promo Code".
See direct link: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201209#iOS

5-15-16's Complementary CrocusContact download codes

CrocusContact's direct link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/crocuscontact/id1045986423?mt=8

Alternately, you can follow Apple's directions for redeeming a "Promo Code".
See direct link: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201209#iOS

Code YAHKP4LJPMW4 is Used

As I stated in the subject line, this code has been used. I just used it to redeem the app.

5-18-16's Complementary CrocusContact download codes

CrocusContact's direct link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/crocuscontact/id1045986423?mt=8

Alternately, you can follow Apple's directions for redeeming a "Promo Code".
See direct link: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201209#iOS

In need of an App Directory entry

It would be really appreciated if somebody who has grabbed this app would please submit it to the site’s App Directory. Thanks!

I have had real problems with this app

Hi all,
Just looking for people that have had the same problems that I've had with this app.
I did not get one of the codes but I just paid as I figured that less than a pound wasn't a bad deal.
However, I'm not sure that this app is working correctly. I followed the instructions given at the top of this string and gave permissions for microphone, contacts etc. and then tried to use the app. I can hear the tone but there are no spoken prompts whatever I do. Like others, I've deleted the app and reloaded but without success.
The other thing I've noticed is that the volume (that I have set to around 50 percent) really reduces to almost nothing without headphones and it is very difficult to hear the tone. Never mind though, without spoken prompts before the tone means this app is not useable.
I've now deleted it, although I might reload and wait for some updates which might make it better?
I do notice though that the developer is very interested in giving away codes but doesn't much like answering problems from users! Sorry about that but reading though this string does support what I'm saying.

Steve.

What's going on when you just hear the prompt chord

What's going on when you just hear the prompt chord . . . CrocusContact uses a network based third-party speech-to-text server, like Siri. When you just hear the prompt chord, typically it means the third-party speech-to-text server is hasn't responded to CrocusContact's request to verbalize the question that precedes the prompt chord you hear. The speech-to-text server is a high capacity, high volume shared server. It does not have a 100% uptime guarantee. Except for the disclaimers you hear the first eight times CrocusContact launches, everything spoken in CrocusContact is fetched from the Internet.

To answer your question . . .

Steve, thank you for your comments. Much troubleshooting and diagnostic activity has taken place outside this forum so as to not blend one-off activity with general information. Because the question of "What's going on when you just hear the prompt chord " has come up in more than a few posts a general answer has been posted.

Best,
Peter D

Answer to your question Peter

Hi Peter,
Icannot really articulate an answer to your question because I do not really know what is going on here. If I feel around the screen, VO tells me that there is an edit box but that is all. When I launch the app, I get the tone almost straight away but nothing else at all. As I say, the volume is much redced, so I have to wear headphones and when I try to add a contact name for example, after he tone has finished nothing then happens and I have to close the app.
As a blind person, I am lost as I do not know what to do next. That is why I deleted the app.
One question though, why use an internet based TTS? Would not VO be just as good?

Steve.

No luck with this app at all

I have had no luck getting this app to work at all. I have tried everything I can think of. I have uninstalled and reinstalled it, I have rebooted my phone, I have even done a reset of my phone and still no luck. I am in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and I have heard from other Canadians that they can't get it to work either. Hopefully a future update will fix this app so that those of us that can't use it will be able to use it eventually. It is a great concept and I would love to be able to use this app.

What's going on . . . with the button and screen reader?

CrocusContact is designed for those with no-to-low visibility. The user interface was designed specifically for this community and streamlined to point of eliminating a visual interface. A distribution partner, whose prime contact is sighted, couldn't completely appreciate the concept that an app for those who have no-to-low visibility didn't need a GUI. So in deference to him and to expedite their forward movement with our request of them. The original interface, a black screen, was modified to add a button. The button's label is the app's name, an it's function is to provide an emergency exit from the app. CrocusContact is a voice driven app that purposely has the most minimalist GUI possible. CrocusContact invites it's user to just use their voice and nothing else to accomplish the task at hand.

No voice prompts

I understand the button being an emergency way to exit the app. However, I am confused that so many of us aren't receiving the voice prompts at all no matter what we do. Is there some reason that this app will not function in Canada? It seems like a lot of us are having problems with this app. I would just like to know what is going on.

Issue with using CrocusContact when iOS region isn't set to U.S.

Yes. An issue with using CrocusContact with an iPhone that has its iOS region set to other than United States has been identified. CrocusContact passed a series of thorough language tests. Because so many languages are spoken within the United States, the region code was never changed. A discrepancy has been identified between the ISO standard country codes that iOS uses and the country codes the third-party Speech-to-Text provider would like. These two sets of country codes overlap when the region is United States, but diverge for Canada, UK, and other country codes. An updated version of CrocusContact will be released within two weeks to overcome this issue.

Poor performance

I was able to add contacts after significant attempts were needed. This ap didn't cost much, but I'm considering requesting a refund, because I believe an ap should perform as promised.

CrocusContact, updated to work in countries other than U.S.

CrocusContact's direct link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/crocuscontact/id1045986423?mt=8

CrocusContact has been updated to better support an undocumented feature. The ability to use CrocusContact in countries other than the United States. You should use your iPhone App Store app to find and download this update.

We are glad to let everyone know the updated CrocusContact now functions the same for everyone outside the U.S. and it has for those within the U.S. The reach of those who visit AppleVis.com is expansive! Those in this forum who expressed experiencing the problem the update corrected received as a courtesy a heads-up earlier in their local workday time zone.

Our third-party partners worked quickly to enable us to modify and update CrocusContact within the original two-week estimate.

Still not working

Hi.
I have just installed the app in the uk and like others here I get no speech prompts after the chord.

Working in Canada

I am happy to report that the app is finally working in Canada. I have used it the other day with no problems at all. I know of another Canadian that has also used it with no problems either. Keep up the great work!

6-1-16's Complementary CrocusContact download codes

CrocusContact's direct link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/crocuscontact/id1045986423?mt=8

AppleVis is a great site operated by very conscientious people, and has a worldwide community of excellent contributors and visitors. To give thanks to the contributors and visitors, for the next few days I'll be posting two no-charge download codes for the worldwide version of CrocusContact I'll post an additional two codes each day if the two people who use that day's original codes post a note indicating they used a code. Due to Apple's respectful privacy policies there is no way to determine if these codes have been used.

NFWJRP6AYXET code used, thanks for that

Thanks for the code, I wanted to post something to let you know that I used the code. I know it'll be a great app.

German voice?

For some reason, when I was finally able to activate the app, my iPhone started using what sounds like a German TTS. It's kind of hard to understand. Also, the tone seems very quiet to me, is it high pitched? If so, you may wish to consider using another tone for hard of hearing people and also consider making whatever TTS is being used work based on the regional settings. I hope this feedback helps.

Identify the cause of what sounds like the German language

We have been trying to identify the cause of what sounds like the German language being spoken by the app. If anyone who encounters this unexpectedly can make an audio recording of it, and send it to the developers. It would be very helpful and appreciated! Their email is CrocusContactApp(at)gmail.com

Recording

I'm guessing which ever TTS is being spoken is probably whatever language is set by the delurfers. I'm not able to do a recording until Monday, as I'm out of town for the weekend. Maybe someone will beat me to it. I did not use a promo code, but purchased the app thinking it would be helpful, but I cannot understand exactly what the TTS is asking of me. I was hoping to use this with some of my clients who have trouble with text input, but who having hearing impairments on-top of being visual impaired, so the TTS bug is a significant one for this population of people.

6-4-16's Complementary CrocusContact download codes

CrocusContact's direct link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/crocuscontact/id1045986423?mt=8

As I mentioned before, AppleVis is a great site operated by very conscientious people, and has a worldwide community of excellent contributors and visitors. To give thanks to the contributors and visitors, for the next few days I'll be posting two no-charge download codes for the worldwide version of CrocusContact I'll post an additional two codes each day if the two people who use that day's original codes post a note indicating they used a code. Due to Apple's respectful privacy policies there is no way to determine if these codes have been used.

6-5-16's Complementary CrocusContact download codes

CrocusContact's direct link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/crocuscontact/id1045986423?mt=8