The most exciting new feature to be released on a standing desk in 2019 is voice-controlled operation. You can simply tell Siri to “Stand up” and your desk will start moving to a custom height programmed in the VertDesk v3 app.
While adding the voice control function to your next standing desk is really exciting (we may be a bit bias about the excitement), there are actually quite a few more reasons you should consider it. In this post, we will cover the top six other reasons you should consider adding this function to your new VertDesk v3.
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6 Reasons To Add VertDesk v3 Voice Control
- Less Money Than Programmable Switch
- Four Presets Custom To Your Phone
- Can Remove Switch From Desk
- Improved Safety With Small Children
- Includes Activity Assistant
- Makes Back-End Customization and Troubleshooting Easier
- Bottom Line
VertDesk v3 Voice Control Showcase Video
1. Less Money Than Programmable Switch
Depending on your budget, adding the $59 programmable switch on the VertDesk v3 might already be stretching your budget. While the upgrade to voice control adds $20, it is quite a bit less than the programmable switch, but gives you the same functionality.
While using the app, you’re able to set four preset positions, just like you can with the programmable switch. From the main screen of the app, you’re able to select one of the four presets to make one-touch height adjustments.
With a recent change to the iOS 13 operating system, Apple has made an easier way to save shortcuts to the home screen of your phone. Because the functionality of our presets in the VertDesk app work from shortcuts, this new system allows you to move these to your home screen for easier access.
If you don’t want to voice the command, you won’t have to open the app to make these quick height adjustments on iOS devices. This makes using the presets on your phone even easier than before.
2. Four Presets Custom To Your Phone
If your desk is being used in a shared working environment, saving presets on a programmable controller is somewhat limited. With the industry standard of four presets, a desk shared between two people only leaves you with two presets per person.
The way our VertDesk v3 app works is each phone is able to store its own four preset positions. When you connect to the desk, the presets you have saved in your app will be what is programmed in the control box until a new phone connects. We’ve found this to be most useful with desks in a home office.
3. Can Remove Switch from Desk
If you’re like me, you want to create the sleekest looking desk possible. Having the digital or standard switch on your desk isn’t a deal killer, but after seeing as many desks as I have, going without a switch looks the best.
4. Improved Safety with Small Children
A continuation of the previous reason to add voice control, removing the switch creates a safety perk. Without a switch, there is no way for little kids to accidentally push the up or down one-touch button.
5. Includes Activity Assistant
As you set up your app for the VertDesk, one of the options is to initialize the activity assistant. This was put in place to create reminders to sit and stand. Both positions are equally important, as too much of either can be bad for you.
With the activity assistant, you’re able to set reminders as short as five minutes and as long as four hours. For new standing desk users, we suggest starting with shorter periods of standing and longer periods of sitting. Most will start with five to ten minutes of standing and fifty to fifty-five sitting.
As your body becomes more accustomed to standing, you can increase the standing periods. Eventually, you may find yourself standing as much as you’re sitting. In some cases, you may even enjoy standing longer than sitting. Regardless, the activity assistant will make it easier for you to create a healthy working environment.
6. Makes Back-End Customization and Troubleshooting Easier
The smart control box system used on the VertDesk v3 comes standard with a lot of customization and safety options. While all of these can be accessed via that standard and programmable switch, the VertDesk app makes this process much easier.
You can simply navigate through the menu system to access features such as collision sensitivity, shelf and container stop and turning on/off one-touch functionality. You are able to quickly make changes to these VertDesk functions with a couple of clicks in the app versus multiple button combinations on the standard and programmable buttons.
Bottom Line
While voice control functionality on the VertDesk v3 is the most interesting and notable technology update to our desk, it might not be the most important to you. There are quite a few reasons to consider adding voice control to your next VertDesk v3 purchase. The six additional reasons we cover in this post is really just the beginning. As we move forward, we plan to launch additional features to this version of the VertDesk. Without the Bluetooth control box, you won’t be able to access these features as they are released. If you have additional questions about voice control functionality or Bluetooth technology in the VertDesk v3, please drop us an email or give our sales staff a call.
Valade
What I’d really like to see is a manual override so we can raise/lower the desk when your electronics fail… i.e. attach a 1/4″ or 3/8″ socket extension to the shaft of the motor to operate it by hand (or electric drill).
For example: we purchased a Vertdesk 3 in 2018 and the control system has failed. The desk has been inoperable for over two weeks. When I contacted your service department with our order number, date of purchase, and name –along with the error code and control module version– your CSR response was “we need a video of the blinking ‘0’ so we can process your warranty.” Why do I need to figure out how to make a video and upload it? (no smartphone) I verified our info & purchase order, and you know these LogicData boards are problematic and prone to failure due to the quirky microswitch ‘rocker’ design in the Touch FX.
Frankly, we expected a better response than having to prove how the control unit has failed with a video. In fact, I’d like to know why we didn’t receive email notification of updated (Laing) units being available a few months after our purchase? We were considering another VertDesk 3, but I have put that on hold…
Greg Knighton
Valade,
Thank you for the feedback.
I apologize for the inconvenience on requesting a video. This is common practice for the industry with pictures and videos required to push through warranty requests. All of our manufacturers require these to process warranty requests, including our OEM for the VertDesk. If we do not submit them with the request, we get immediate push back.
The CSR should have asked for more than just a video of a blinking 0, they should ask for the video showing the process of a reset being done properly. I can understand this is frustrating, but we’ve had many instances where this wasn’t done correctly and just resetting the desk properly has resolved the problem.
Customer service will follow up Monday during normal business hours and fix the issue. Your desk is currently under warranty.
Connie Huang
Does this mean if I order a desk that comes with voice control, I will not need any button, including the standard button? I am trying to make a purchase of this particular stand desk that comes with voice control, but it is not allowing me to finalize the purchase without choosing an option for button.
https://www.btod.com/RA-CUSTOMNHWTF.php#tab-4
Greg Knighton
Connie,
The standard button is included at no charge. You don’t have to attach it when assembling the desk. Some of our customers like having it for a back up, but others like to go without.