Over the years we have covered this topic a few times. That does not stop new users from asking me on a regular basis how to kill Voice Activated Dialing on their BlackBerrys. There are quite a few ways to go about this but the simplest is by using a free application called MaxMem from BerryCoder. In no time you will be able to kill that super annoying and utterly useless “Say a Command!” voice dialing application.
MaxMem was released back in July 2008 and still works like a charm. You just install the tiny application on your BlackBerry and click the button that says “Remove VAD.” The program will then prompt you on every installation file it has to delete to remove Voice Activated Dialing. There are 3 files for each language supported on your device so expect a few popups.
NOTE: It is HIGHLY recommended that you backup your BlackBerry to your PC before removing Voice Activated Dialing.
You can download MaxMem onto your BlackBerry by going to www.berrycoder.com from your BlackBerry browser.
Renee Not Registered
Posted: January 26, 2010 at 4:04 PM EST
Does this work on the 9700? I tried removing things and it didn’t work.
CadillacCowboy Not Registered
Posted: January 26, 2010 at 4:09 PM EST from my BlackBerry 9000
Won’t this screw-up one’s device?
I though voice-activated dialing (VAD) was hard-wired into BlackBerry OS?
Heatley Fan Not Registered
Posted: January 26, 2010 at 4:13 PM EST from my BlackBerry 9000
I’ve had this installed on everyone of my BBs. It works great. Even tho I trim all the extras that I don’t need from the OS I still run it to make sure I haven’t forgoten
Ronen Halevy ( View Profile) Senior admin - Posts: 5297
Posted: January 26, 2010 at 4:18 PM EST from my BlackBerry 9700
Works like a charm on my 9700. VAD is built into the os but this app removes it safely.
Amir Saad Not Registered
Posted: January 27, 2010 at 2:32 PM EST
Looks nice, and from the screen image, I can imagine it deletes other stuff too like themes and PTT (God knows I never used that)
artie Not Registered
Posted: January 26, 2010 at 4:49 PM EST
Will it affect Sprint Navigation?
oakie ( View Profile) Newcomer - Posts: 22
Posted: January 27, 2010 at 5:48 AM EST
no. it affects voice activated dialing.
jdy808 Not Registered
Posted: January 26, 2010 at 4:54 PM EST
This works great … thanks Ronen.
kimaguresan Not Registered
Posted: January 26, 2010 at 4:55 PM EST
So…what do you use for handsfree dialing if you have a bluetooth earpiece?
oakie ( View Profile) Newcomer - Posts: 22
Posted: January 27, 2010 at 5:22 AM EST
obviously something other than VAD.
besides, if you use VAD, why would you consider removing it?
blackberry_junkie Not Registered
Posted: January 26, 2010 at 5:36 PM EST from my BlackBerry 8900
Can’t believe people are hating on the VAD. If you’ve got a bluetooth and aren’t near your phone it makes dialing numbers and people (as long as they don’t have crazy names) a cinch.
Crystal Not Registered
Posted: January 26, 2010 at 5:36 PM EST
What’s annoying about the VAD app? I love being able to dial a contact without looking at my phone… especially now that so many areas are making cell phone use while driving illegal without handsfree.
oakie ( View Profile) Newcomer - Posts: 22
Posted: January 27, 2010 at 5:26 AM EST
some of us dont use VAD. with a way to remove it being available, it ends up saving device memory.
as for talking on a cellphone with or without a hands-free device while driving, that’s a whole different can of worms, imo.
CadillacCowboy Not Registered
Posted: January 26, 2010 at 5:48 PM EST from my BlackBerry 9000
The problem with VAD is that often they don’t understand commands, plus one usually has to remember a long list of specific commands… I have found that it is usually easier and faster to just type a name in on the Home screen.
Ronen Halevy ( View Profile) Senior admin - Posts: 5297
Posted: January 26, 2010 at 5:48 PM EST
The most annoying part is that it turns on every time you hold down the left convenience key on accident or accidentally hit the end button twice on your bluetooth headset after a phone call. Yesterday it got even worse and would not close so I had to reboot my 9700 before it would let me play any audio.
It also sucks at voice recognition which makes using it as a voice recognition app useless. Unless the persons name is David or Mark you are out of luck. That makes last names almost impossible. Vlingo is much better at this if you really need voice dialing.
gRider Not Registered
Posted: January 26, 2010 at 6:06 PM EST
Is there any way to just turn it off?
oakie ( View Profile) Newcomer - Posts: 22
Posted: January 27, 2010 at 5:30 AM EST
just remap your left convenience key to a different app in options > screen/keyboard > left side convenience key opens:
Parabola Not Registered
Posted: January 26, 2010 at 8:30 PM EST
I love the VAD, perfect when driving and my BB is linked to my Garmin GPS. I totally didn’t realize there was hate for it … and I’ve never turned it on by accident. I don’t know if I imagine it, but I find that the voice recognition learns after initial uses (like suretype?).
oakie ( View Profile) Newcomer - Posts: 22
Posted: January 27, 2010 at 5:40 AM EST
yes, the VAD app is capable of learning, and you can also train it individually under options > voice dialing > adapt voice
it’s actually quite good. it’s built by Nuance, the guys behind dragon naturally speaking. i just never use it as waiting on voice prompts is often slower for me than just using a shortcut. plus, most people i know dont have anglican surnames, which usually confuses the crap out of it.
scott Not Registered
Posted: January 27, 2010 at 12:48 AM EST
you can always just change it so that your side keys do something else..
like someone mentioned it is quite important to have with handsfree laws..
oakie ( View Profile) Newcomer - Posts: 22
Posted: January 27, 2010 at 5:42 AM EST
or you can remove it, freeing up device memory if the user doesnt use the function, and focus on driving while they’re, ya know, driving.
Carnitos Not Registered
Posted: January 27, 2010 at 5:40 AM EST from my BlackBerry 9700
I love VAD. It works better than any other phone’s VAD that I’ve used. Do the number training wizard in Blackberry Options and it makes it probably 95% accurate.
oakie ( View Profile) Newcomer - Posts: 22
Posted: January 27, 2010 at 5:45 AM EST
i cant believe how many commenters are so concerned with others who may not like or use VAD and would want to remove it.
it’s as if ronen accused your mothers of being whores or something.
Chris Not Registered
Posted: February 18, 2010 at 9:33 AM EST
Good tip, VAD can become very annoying!!!