Speech Technology eWeekly - June 20, 2007

Features

It's a Persona, Not a Personality

In IVR design, it should be about finding the right voice, not the right character.

The Human Factor

The Persona Craze Nears an End

An over-the-top persona could push users over the edge.

Speech Technology News

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Spurs Congressional Action Using Vontoo Phone Messaging Technology

WASHINGTON -- Getting quick Congressional action takes a compelling message, exceptional communication, and a constituent base uniquely motivated to call Capitol Hill. The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) delivered all three by rallying their national network of grassroots advocates with Vontoo Voice Messaging.

GSTA and IP Unity Glenayre Deploy Voice Portal Solution for China Telecom

DULUTH, Ga. -- China Telecom has selected a voice and data portal solution based on the Mereon Media Server and Application Server from IP Unity Glenayre.

W3C Standardizes New Features for VoiceXML, Smarter Speech Recognition

The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) published standards yesterday that enhance the capabilities and interoperability of voice browsers and speech recognition systems.

Nuance and Handmark Announce Distribution Agreement

Under a new strategic distribution agreement, Handmark will distribute Nuance Communications' Nuance Voice Control for BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, and Palm devices.

Denver Health Calls on NetScout During Major VoIP Rollout

DENVER -- Denver Health is expanding its use of the nGenius Performance Management Solution from NetScout Systems.

Orange Dominicana Launches Kodiak Visual Voice SMS

SAN RAMON, Calif. - National telecommunications provider Orange Dominicana has deployed the Kodiak Visual Voice SMS service from Kodiak Networks across the Dominican Republic, making it the first commercial deployment of the Kodiak Networks Visual Voice SMS (VSMS) technology worldwide.

VoiceXML Forum Launches VoiceXML 2.1 Certification Program

PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- The VoiceXML Forum enhanced its Platform Certification Program to include testing for VoiceXML 2.1, SISR 1.0 and key features of other languages in the World Wide Web Consortium's Speech Interface Framework.

Serotek Chooses Fonix Text-to-Speech for SA To Go

Fonix Speech announces Fonix text-to-speech software on a new Web application called SA To Go (System Access To Go), the first product to make Web 2.0 accessible to the blind.

Nuance to Power Verizon Directory Assistance

Nuance Communications will provide Verizon with its Nuance Voice Search for future directory assistance (DA) services.

Comverse Launches New Version of MyCall Converged Communications

Comverse released a new version of MyCall Converged Communications, an integrated fixed and mobile communication solution for seamless consumer services over fixed broadband and mobile networks.

LumenVox Speech Engine Now Supports UK English

LumenVox released a new United Kingdom (UK) English Acoustic Model for use with the LumenVox Speech Engine v7.5.

FreedomVOICE Systems Turn Phone Calls into Podcasts

FreedomVOICE Systems launched PodFone, a service that allows voicemail messages and other recorded phone calls to become available for automatic download by iPods and other portable audio devices.

Crane Plumbing Installs CallXpress Unified Communications

FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif.—Crane Plumbing replaced its aging voicemail system with the CallXpress unified communications solution from AVST.

Foonz Free Group Messaging Offers Confirmed Delivery

A new service by Foonz, a unit of RPM Communications, allows anyone to leave voice messages for a group of people and confirm who heard it.

LiveVox Offers Multisite Capabilities in a Hosted Contact Center Solution

LiveVox's new Voice Portal 2.0 is a multisite contact center management offering with built-in agent presence and role-based security.