[electromagnetic]

I know my phone (Motorola) is capable of voice dialing, either by number or of a speed-dial, or I can record an input. Why would I need an additional input device when most phones are capable of voice dialing?

Edit: As the iPad is based on the iPhone's OS, it is already capable of handling voice-dial inputs, you just might have to jailbreak it to access it:

http://www.apple.com/iphone/how-to/index.html#phone.voice-di...

[tcdent]

Just out of curiosity, do you use voice commands on your device and find them effective? I find manipulating a touch screen device to be faster and more accurate than dictating by voice.

[electromagnetic]

Well as using a handheld device is illegal while driving here in Ontario, and appears to be rapidly spreading through the other provinces (I know P.E.I. adopted it within the last month), it's rather a moot point for any drivers where I live.

However, personally I found voice commands easier than using the iPhone(1) for dialing while distracted. The lack of tactile response in the iPhone means I can't dial without paying complete attention to the device. I have similar problems with the gel USB keyboards and other devices you can get. I have had similar problems with regular 'key dial' cell phones when they lack proper tactile feel (slippery plastic vs rubber buttons with a clear centre mark on the 5 key).

(1) The iPhone is presently the only fully touchscreen phone that I've been interested in enough to try. The Pre had my attention . . . until I found out it was arriving on Bell (monopoly placed in the majority of Canada due to previously being national, and still price outrageously with very poor service and customer service) here in Canada.