Samantha and Jack V 2.40 ... now up to V 2.50

 

10/19/16: Garmin Express updated my 3597LMTHD today with Samantha 2.40. Previous version was 2.30.

12/13/16: Samantha and Jack are now up to V 2.50.

--
Alan - Android Auto, DriveLuxe 51LMT-S, DriveLuxe 50LMTHD, Nuvi 3597LMTHD, Oregon 550T, Nuvi 855, Nuvi 755T, Lowrance Endura Sierra, Bosch Nyon

Voice updates

I have Samantha and Jack installed on my Nuvi 2597. WebUpdater offered updated for both.

--
Charlie. Nuvi 265 WT and Nuvi 2597 LMT. MapFactor Navigator - Offline Maps & GPS.

Thanks

Thanks. Time to update a faq for both TTS3 Samantha and Jack.

Change History

Changes made from version 2.30 to 2.40:

Pronunciation and grammar improvements

Interesting ...

I have Jack installed on my 3597 also, but neither Express or WebUpdater offered to update Jack, only Samantha which is my active voice. So I changed the 3597 to make Jack the active voice, shut down and restarted Express, and sure enough, there was the update for Jack to version 2.40.

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Alan - Android Auto, DriveLuxe 51LMT-S, DriveLuxe 50LMTHD, Nuvi 3597LMTHD, Oregon 550T, Nuvi 855, Nuvi 755T, Lowrance Endura Sierra, Bosch Nyon

Very interesting

alandb wrote:

I have Jack installed on my 3597 also, but neither Express or WebUpdater offered to update Jack, only Samantha which is my active voice. So I changed the 3597 to make Jack the active voice, shut down and restarted Express, and sure enough, there was the update for Jack to version 2.40.

Very interesting. Could it be that both GE and WUD both only offer voice updates to the active voice on a device? This is worth following.

Don't think so ...

as it offered both updates to Charlie. It seems the Garmin software (both Express and Web Updater) have never been very reliable for detecting voice updates ... not only unreliable, but inconsistent. It makes me wonder if any of the other English voices I have installed might have pending updates.

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Alan - Android Auto, DriveLuxe 51LMT-S, DriveLuxe 50LMTHD, Nuvi 3597LMTHD, Oregon 550T, Nuvi 855, Nuvi 755T, Lowrance Endura Sierra, Bosch Nyon

Map update for 660

When I went to check on a voice update for my 660, GE informed me that there was also a "Mexico" map update for the 660.

Unfortunately, I'll have to reload both the lower 48 to the 660 and Alaska, Mexico, Canada, Hawaii, etc. to the memory card. Bummer!

--
Metricman DriveSmart 76 Williamsburg, VA

Voice updates

alandb wrote:

as it offered both updates to Charlie. It seems the Garmin software (both Express and Web Updater) have never been very reliable for detecting voice updates ... not only unreliable, but inconsistent. It makes me wonder if any of the other English voices I have installed might have pending updates.

That is correct both installed voices were offered the update . Same thing for past voice updates. Only confirming this on Web Updater my preferred method.

--
Charlie. Nuvi 265 WT and Nuvi 2597 LMT. MapFactor Navigator - Offline Maps & GPS.

Updates

I had two updates today.
New voices and a map update. This is the second map update in a short period of time.
I guess they wanted to add to the last map update.

--
Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things!

Ditto for Garmin Express

alandb wrote:

I have Jack installed on my 3597 also, but neither Express or WebUpdater offered to update Jack, only Samantha which is my active voice. So I changed the 3597 to make Jack the active voice, shut down and restarted Express, and sure enough, there was the update for Jack to version 2.40.

On Garnin Express, the update was offered only for the active voice. I updated Samantha and, then, Jack. I did not try WebUpdater for either voice.

I also have the AE-Michelle voice installed. There was no update available.

--
Garmin nüvi 3597LMTHD, 3760 LMT, & 255LMT, - "Those who wish for fairness without first protecting freedom will end up with neither freedom nor fairness." - Milton Friedman

Solved-Garmin Express Voice Updates-Reliability and Consistency

selfruler wrote:
alandb wrote:

I have Jack installed on my 3597 also, but neither Express or WebUpdater offered to update Jack, only Samantha which is my active voice. So I changed the 3597 to make Jack the active voice, shut down and restarted Express, and sure enough, there was the update for Jack to version 2.40.

On Garmin Express, the update was offered only for the active voice. I updated Samantha and, then, Jack. I did not try WebUpdater for either voice.

I also have the AE-Michelle voice installed. There was no update available.

Aha (I think...more users' info requested!) idea exclaim idea

[Test parameters] Use the latest Garmin Express (v4.1.28.0) with my nuvi 3597 (fully updated in all respects except the two new voice updates) and try to update the two new TTS3 voices (Samantha and Jack, both v2.40 issued today). Update software tested are the two Garmin programs, Garmin Express and WebUpdater.

With 3597 set to use Australian Karen as active voice but with both Jack and Samantha v2.30 installed to 3597: neither v2.40 voice update is offered by Garmin Express for Sam or Jack.

Now set 3597 to active voice of Samantha (2.30) and with Jack 2.30 installed: Garmin Express offers Samantha 2.40 update but not Jack.

Now set 3597 to active voice of Jack (2.30) with Sam 2.30 installed: Garmin Express now offers Jack 2.40 but not Sam 2.40.

Now reset to my active voice of Karen with the older v2.30 Jack and Sam installed: WebUpdater offers both Jack and Sam 2.40 updates (and at this point, I finally installed the two voice updates).

If others can confirm this, it means the newer Garmin devices (at least the 3597) are only offered an available voice update with Garmin Express for the active voice. TTS3 voices installed but not the active voice selected on the nuvi will not be offered available updates. This may well explain why some folks in the past have stated that Garmin Express offered no voice updates, or one voice update (but different users report the offered voice update varies). It all may depend on the active voice each user has selected when looking for new updates.

It also confirms past reports that WebUpdater does offer all available voice updates whether the active voice or not.

Although not part of this experiment, note that past tests strongly suggest that with the newer Garmin devices, WebUpdater won't offer a voice installation or update unless the voice is already installed—and the only current way to install new voices (see http://www.poi-factory.com/node/42708 for all seven TTS3 voices available) is with Garmin Express. Today's test shows that the only way to be sure that all installed TTS3 voices are current in a single update run is to use WebUpdater, not Garmin Express.

If confirmed by others, I have more faq updating to do but I'll wait for a few others to report in. Thanks for your reply above that prompted this experiment, selfruler!

PS: I'm about 98% sure that my faq:

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/42708

lists the current English language version for all Garmin On-The-Road devices that speak directions (and if not, it will be corrected as soon as I'm told that the faq needs an update). My faq gets its info from threads like this reporting a new voice or voice update and also depends very strongly on the wonderful Polish site page referring to voice updates:

http://www.gmaptool.eu/en/content/voice

although as I type this, the site does not yet offer links to these two new October 19, 2017 English language TTS3 voice updates.

...

Thanks for the info!

--
Michael (Nuvi 2639LMT)

Anyone know what changed?

n/t

Go both on one run

I used webupdater and got Jack and Samantha updates for my 2597.

Thanks for the info

Thanks for the info... will be updating soon.

New Voices

Thanks for the tip. I was offered Samantha (who is active on mine) but not Jack. Don't need Jack so I won't pursue that. But where is the fun if all of the mis-pronunciations are fixed? smile

I am also getting a map update, and as was said here in this thread, it hasn't been very long since the last one.

Updates are good though and always appreciated.

Thanks for the notice

on Samantha V 2.40 update. smile

--
Nuvi 2598 | Nuvi 350 | eTrex Vista | eTrex 30x

FAQ

Based upon jjen's and Sixeye's responses, I now feel 99.44% certain that Garmin Express only alerts to voice updates available for an active voice and that WebUpdater offers available voice updates to all installed voices on the new Garmin models so I have updated my Garmin English language voice FAQ to reflect this feeling.

For those who are not Baby Boomers or older, here's a reference for my tongue-in-cheek inclusion of the 99 and 44 one hundredths reference:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivory_(soap) razz

?

What is Samantha 2.40? Sorry... not familiar with this particular... well... I assume it is an app?

It's the latest Version

It's the latest Version update to the Samantha voice on your Garmin GPS. Connect your GPS to Garmin Express on your computer and download the update.

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Frank DriveSmart55 37.322760, -79.511267

More info

phranc wrote:

It's the latest Version update to the Samantha voice on your Garmin GPS. Connect your GPS to Garmin Express on your computer and download the update.

In addition to the above, remember that it's only available to devices that use TTS3 voices, the newer models and higher end slightly older models. Beagle.Fan hasn't stated what device(s) are owned so it's possible that no update exists.

Also, if using Garmin Express, make sure that Samantha is the selected voice for the device before looking for the Samantha update. For those who have added Jack and other additional Garmin TTS3 voices, I suggest using WebUpdater rather than Garmin Express as explained in previous posts in this thread.

http://www8.garmin.com/products/webupdater/howtoinstall.jsp

Samantha 2.40

With the stated improvements in pronunciation and grammar for Samantha 2.40, I thought I'd once again give the voice a try for a day so I sidelined Karen and checked the new Samantha. It lasted for only one day. Here's what I didn't like about the new Sam:

1) The new Sam enunciates very clearly and may be more understandable in a noisy environment or for English as a Second Language folks but I found the fairly frequent short pauses between words annoying and can only imagine my feelings if I was approaching a confusing turn and needed to hear Sam's entire instruction to me. It almosts sounds like "Slow English." Google it or try this link:

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1511/151119-coffee-a.html

2) Three of the most important words spoken by any of the English language voices in a GPS are right, left, and turn. As is also the case for Jill but no other Garmin English language voice, I find the word "left" sounds very odd with Samantha, as if the letter "f" is not being pronounced. This has been the case for me with all nuvis and all Jill and Samantha voices going back many versions. Admittedly I'm not the youngest user here at The Factory and although my hearing is still fine, I'm sure that my age means I'm losing some of the higher frequencies that can easily be heard by our younger members who haven't ruined their hearing early and the unvoiced "th, s, f, k, etc." consonants do have a lot of high frequency components making them harder to hear or distinguish from other consonants. I've mentioned the problem with listening to Jill's "left" before but admit that no one else feels there's a problem with her spoken "left."

I'm now back to using Karen's voice which flows beautifully (as opposed to Slow English) and doesn't annoy me upon hearing her tell me to turn left.

Thanks

phranc wrote:

It's the latest Version update to the Samantha voice on your Garmin GPS. Connect your GPS to Garmin Express on your computer and download the update.

Thanks.

thank you

i needed something to do today.

although as I type this, the

"although as I type this, the site does not yet offer links to these two new October 19, 2017 English language TTS3 voice updates."

that is obviously because you are a little early. Wait for it, only 7 months to go.

Nuvi 65

I used to have Jack, Jill and Samantha on my garmin each having turn by turn directions, but they are all gone now, and I cannot find a way to get them back. I know have Michelle as my only option, and I am not liking her. Is there any way that I can get my original voices back with turn by turn?

--
Ruben Garces

Voice selection

alfandrub wrote:

I used to have Jack, Jill and Samantha on my garmin each having turn by turn directions, but they are all gone now, and I cannot find a way to get them back. I know have Michelle as my only option, and I am not liking her. Is there any way that I can get my original voices back with turn by turn?

Use Garmin Express.
1.Connect GPS to computer.
2=Bring up Garmin Express up on your computer.
3.Select Tools and Content and click on the tab.
4.Find Optional updates.Right in that location you will see languages. Click on it.
5.Now find English and put check mark in it.
6.Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on install now.
6.After installation select the voice you prefer for your device.

You can go back and remove any voices you will not need.

1.Connect GPS unit to computer.
2.Select Garmin Drive.
3.Go to Voice folder and click on it.
4.That will give you access to the Voice files downloaded to your GPS.

Also see https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=pVpun5PDQq0UV8xsPNApz7... For instructions to change voice selection. More info here https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?productID=147609&searchQue...

--
Charlie. Nuvi 265 WT and Nuvi 2597 LMT. MapFactor Navigator - Offline Maps & GPS.

TTS4?

I see that on August 23, 2019, two English language TTS4 voices were updated or added, Zoe and Serena. Does anyone know what Garmin devices use TTS4 voice files?

Might not matter

CraigW wrote:

I see that on August 23, 2019, two English language TTS4 voices were updated or added, Zoe and Serena. Does anyone know what Garmin devices use TTS4 voice files?

According to https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=R6CyRzofQz1EiwU7zSFOb6 the use of TTS4 has been discontinued.

--
John from PA

Darn

John from PA wrote:
CraigW wrote:

I see that on August 23, 2019, two English language TTS4 voices were updated or added, Zoe and Serena. Does anyone know what Garmin devices use TTS4 voice files?

According to https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=R6CyRzofQz1EiwU7zSFOb6 the use of TTS4 has been discontinued.

It appears that Garmin has used the TTS4 abbreviation twice. The one you reference is for "Tacx Trainer Software 4 (TTS4)", a Windows computer app, not its GPS text to speech voices, at least to my reading and guessing from the link. Here's a link to one of the TTS4 voices but it doesn't say what devices use it:

https://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=1461...

Maybe it's used for non-Along The Road GPS devices like fitness trackers, smart watches or whatever. I think it's this, a pretty spiffy indoor cycling trainer app:

https://kylesbikes.com/tacx-trainer-4-advanced-software-8714...

Zoe

CraigW wrote:

I see that on August 23, 2019, two English language TTS4 voices were updated or added, Zoe and Serena. Does anyone know what Garmin devices use TTS4 voice files?

Almost three years later...

Zoe has been found. She is an American English language voice available to the DriveSmart 66 and 76 models for sure. If available on other devices, jet us know.

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/53569