Cameras
Camcorders
Cell Phones
Components
Desktops
HDTV
Home Theater
GPS
Laptops
Monitors
MP3 Players
Networking &
Printers
Storage
Ultra Hal Assistant
Version: 6.2.24
Downloads Count: 3,789
License Type: Trial
Price: $30
Date Added: Jun 17, 2009
Operating Systems: Windows XP, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows Vista
Requirements: Microphone or headset
File Size: 21801 KB
Author: Zabaware
- WinPatrol 2009 730,953
- Startup Control Panel 427,786
- Vista Transformation Pack 282,332
- Desktop Architect 258,896
- PowerStrip 238,166
Editorial Review of Ultra Hal Assistant
If you're not a Sci-fi buff, you may not recognize the 2001: A Space Odyssey reference here. HAL was the slightly... okay, very dysfunctional computer with the dulcet voice from that famous movie. If you do get the reference, let's hope you also have a sense of humor and will trust Ultra HAL Assistant 6.2 ($30, 31-day free trial) to be your interactive AI pal. Or at the very least, have a couple of conversations with it--something the intelligence engine is said to learn and improve on over time. IMDB factoids aside, HAL is a lot of fun--but also a lot of work to set up and use.
You can interact with HAL by typing in queries and responses, but the program becomes truly useful when you add a microphone and voice recognition software such as IBM's ViaVoice or Nuance's Dragon Naturally Speaking. E.g., it's a lot easier to simply open Paint from the Start Menu than it is to open HAL and type in the request. Note: I had little luck with the mic built into my Webcam. Voice recognition requires a high-quality headset or mic like the Blue Microphones Snowflake I had sitting around.
I found HAL's interface a tad clunky. For instance, when HAL chattered on about something, sometimes the text display didn't scroll along with HAL's monologue. The stock computer-generated voices are occasionally hard to understand, so that scrolling would help. Also, the program would benefit greatly from a graphic redesign. Reallusion (makers of excellent facial animation software such as CrazyTalk Pro), meet Zabaware--you two were made for each other.
You're warned on one of the first screens that training HAL will take about two hours. I did have fun conversing with HAL, but an hour of hands-on proved insufficient to adequately train either Dragon Naturally Speaking or the program--especially for getting HAL to perform actions or remember data. I did, however, have enough success to convince me of the program's probable usefulness.
It's obvious the programmers have a sense of humor, and forgive me, but I had to try the obvious. HAL's response to "Open the pod bay doors..." was "The program "THE POD BAY DOORS" was not found in my database." Then after what probably only seemed like a slight hesitation... "I'm afraid I can't do that, Dave." That alone was worth the download.
--Jon L. Jacobi
People who downloaded this also downloaded:
Sponsored Links
-
Change your start-up screens each time you boot.
-
Control two computers on your home network using the same mouse and keyboard.
-
Calculate your carbon footprint with this easy to use calculator software.
-
Zango Showtimes - get movie info in just one click right from your desktop!
-
Avoid needless repetition in opening files, ejecting CD Rom drives, and restarting your computer.
-
Run rings around your PC with this clever program dock.
-
Geographically challenged? Get this 3D interactive globe for your desktop.
-
System-tray "Tarot cards" let you see what your future holds.
-
Move Outlook Express to the system tray for easy access (or easy ignoring).
-
Turn on your screen saver with a single mouse click.
-
Tweak, change, and customize your desktop experience with this utility.
Dell Fast Track
-
Free Next Day Business Shipping on Dell's Most Popular Systems Over 35% off Dell’s most popular systems. Delivered in 48 hours with free next business day shipping! Ends 12/22 at 3 PM CST
VistaSwitcher a Sight Better Than Vista's Task Window
Replace that boring old alt-tab window with the prettier--and more useful--VistaSwitcher.
Take Control Over Moving and Resizing Windows With WindowSpace
WindowSpace gives you Linux-like abilities to customize windows.
If you have questions about finding, downloading, or opening files in our library, you'll probably find the answers here.
Kaspersky Internet Security 7.0
Premium Protection Against Viruses, Trojans and Worms Spyware, Adware, Rootkits and Keyloggers Phishing and Spam Hacker Attacks, Integrated Personal Firewall Privacy and Parental Controls."/>
- Browse the Downloads Store by Topic
- Security »
- Utilities »
- Graphics & Multimedia »
- Visit the Download Store Home
Most Recent Threads