By now most of you should be able to gather that I like my tools. Offline, I enjoy collecting pocket knives. Each one of these knives serves a unique purpose in my collection. I’ve got business casual, hobby related, and my personal favorite: my black one-handed blade movement. 9 times out of 10 that’s the one knife I’ll have in my pocket. And over in my other pocket? My favorite electronic tool; my iPhone. Just like my knife collection, I have a staggering library of apps that I use and test daily, and one of the gems is Vlingo.

Here’s what their website has to say:

At Vlingo we unlock access to wireless data services. As the inventor of the mobile phone “voice user interface,” Vlingo delivers a voice interface and technology that allows users to instantly access services and content on their device. These services include the ability send text and email messages, call contacts, search the Web, update your Facebook or Twitter status and much more by just speaking into their phone.

Vlingo is available for most current BlackBerry smartphones, Apple’s iPhone, Nokia S60 phones and select Windows Mobile phones.

I’ve used this app daily for the last 60 days. It comes in two flavors: free and paid version. Here’s the commands you say and the things you can do with each version:

Free Version
Maps (ex: “Find coffee shops in Cambridge”)
Social Update (ex: “Facebook update needs coffee right now”)
Web Search (ex: “Search Bonobo apes”)
Voice Dial (ex: “Call Charlie mobile”)

Paid Version
Email (ex: “Email Han, subject Tonight, message Running a bit late!”)
SMS Paste (ex: “Text Kaite, message are you free tonight for dinner?”)

So far I’ve only explored the free feautres of this app. It’s solid, works very well, and understands 90% of my commands the first time through! It has adaptive voice technology, so the more you use it, the better it understands your vocal commands. If you’re connected, on the go, and want a great ally as a communications tool, look no further than Vlingo.