Speech Technology eWeekly - November 01, 2002

Features

SALT Hopes to Reinvigorate Mobile Computing

SALT, a technology that allows multimodal communications such as speech as an input and data as an output, is trying to open up new applications and business possibilities.

Q & A

Paul Donnelly, Chief technology Officer, BlueChip Technologies

Dr. Paul Donnelly is the CTO of BlueChip Technologies. In a Q&A with NewsBlast, Dr. Donnelly discusses BlueChip's background, as well as some of the company's product offerings. He also gives us some insight into what he considers successsful deployments of speech technology, and what are some of the limiting factors of the technology.

Raymond Gunn, President and CEO, Clarity

In a Q&A with the editors of NewsBlast, Ray Gunn, president and CEO of Clarity, states, "...consumers do not know how much they will love having speech in their cars." Ray also discusses his thoughts on the future of speech technology and gives insight into what is effecting the industry today.

Ken Stockman, CEO, NewportWorks; and Sunil Soares, Director of Product Marketing, IBM Pervasive Technologies

Recently IBM and NewportWorks launched a speech-enabled solution intended to help increase the productivity of real state agents in the field. In a Q&A with the editors of NewsBlast, Ken Stockman, CEO, NewportWorks, and Sunil Soares, director of product management, IBM Pervasive Computing, speak in detail about this solution and give us insight into the need for such a service.

Dale Hartzell, Vice President of Marketing, SandCherry

Dale Hartzell is the vice president of marketing for SandCherry Inc. In a Q&A with NewsBlast, Dale talks a little about SandCherry's background and product offerings, as well as gives us his thoughts on the growing speech technology industry.

Talking Tech

Introducing Miller's Law

Last issue we made the somewhat radical suggestion that if (perceived) hardware expense was slowing down your voice application sales cycle, just get rid of the hardware. This led into a discussion of hosted scenarios, including hybrid "borderless" cases where existing customer premises equipment (CPE) could interwork with in-network hosted speech resources using IP and VoiceXML.

Speech Technology News

IBM and Sharp Team on New Enterprise Linux Handheld

ARMONK, NY and OSAKA, JAPAN - IBM and Sharp Corporation announced that they will bring together IBM software and Sharp technologies in a Linux-based mobile solution that intends to make it easier for businesses to extend enterprise applications to mobile workers.

Comverse and Nuance Provide Voice Dialing Capability for AT&T Wireless

MENLO PARK, CA and WOODBURY, NY - AT&T Wireless subscribers are now able to dial #121 on their mobile phone, say the name of the person they want to reach, for example "call Mom at work," and be connected.

Dspfactory's BelaSigna Processors Improve Sound Clarity in Portable Audio Devices

WATERLOO, ONTARIO - Dspfactory Ltd. launched the second generation of its BelaSigna chip.

Genesys Achieves 152 Customer Wins in Q3

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Genesys Telecommunications Laboratories Inc., a subsidiary of Alcate, announced it achieved 152 customer wins in the third quarter of 2003.

Edify & RAC Earn Kinetic Vision Award

SANTA CLARA, CA - Edify Corporation announced that its customer RAC Motoring Services has received the sixth annual Kinetic Information Vision Award for its implementation of Edify's multi-channel CRM platform.

Voice Web Solutions Introduces Advanced Speech Capabilities for Dreamweaver MX

Voice Web Studio accelerates the adoption of speech enabled documents and Web content by providing an integrated development environment directly within Dreamweaver MX.

Speech Recognition in Orion "Phone Home" Device Control System

A South Australian speech recognition software center, i2Net, has developed a voice controlled home system.

Loquendo TTS Powers Frequentis' ATIS System

TURIN, ITALY - Loquendo's text-to-speech engine has been chosen by Frequentis to power the ATIS (Automatic Terminal Information Service) systems they are creating for Deutsche Flugsicherung, the German Air Traffic Service Provider.

Voice Partners Gives Consumer Brands a Voice Over the Phone

Experts in entertainment, advertising and speech recognition join forces to assist companies in delivering new conversational, voice-based services that allow consumers to interact directly with their brand over the phone.

Computer Talk Technology and SpeechWorks Support The Canadian National Institute for the Blind

TORONTO, ONTARIO - Computer Talk Technology Inc. has partnered with Boston-based SpeechWorks International Inc. to deliver a text-to-speech conversion program for The Canadian National Institute for the Blind Library, based in Toronto.

ART and SVOX Introduce Speech Interface for the Symbian Platform

ATLANTA, GA and ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - ART Advanced Recognition Technologies Inc. and SVOX AG announced the expansion of their existing cooperation with the launch of a new unified speech interface solution for use on the Symbian based platforms.

Nuance Unveils Complete Speech Solutions Approach

Nuance unveiled new products and services aimed at increasing the business value of voice for customers worldwide.

Broca Networks, Synavant Ally to Deploy Speech-Driven Call Reporting

Broca Networks and SYNAVANT have developed an alliance to launch a speech-driven voice call reporting service, branded SynVocall.

TEMIC Announces Opening of US Office in Farmington Hills, MI

FARMINGTON HILLS, MI - Temic SDS announces the opening of its US office in the Detroit area in Farmington Hills, Michigan.

Generic Spoken Vocabulary Command ETSI Standard Approved

After a strong Yes vote in the ETSI membership approval process(0% NO votes) an approved and published ETSI Standard, ES 202 076, nowupdated to version 1.1.2 (some typos corrected), is downloadable from the ETSIWeb.

SPIRIT Releases New Version of its G.723.1

SPIRIT, the DSP software developer for TI platform in continental Europe, has released a new version of its G.723.1 vocoder algorithm for TI's TMS320C62x platform.

Loquendo TTS Integrated By InfoSpeech Into Services For Blind Users

TURINO, ITALY - Loquendo TTS will power services provided by ONCE - Spain's National Organization for the Blind - in the organization's educational centers for blind and visually impaired users located throughout the country.

Parlance Includes Additional Functionality with Its NameConnector

MEDFORD, MA - Parlance Corporation announced the enhancementof its standard NameConnector Service offering.

CheckFree Launches WebPay Service

ATLANTA, GA - CheckFree Corporation announced the general availability of the latest version of its CheckFree WebPay service.

Vodafone Malta Launches Next-Generation Communications Services

ATLANTA, GA - Glenayre Technologies Inc. announced that Vodafone Malta has deployed its firstnext-generation messaging solution based on Glenayre's Versera Messagingplatform, Versera Unified Communications and Versera Voice Services suites.

IBM Licenses ScanSoft RealSpeak Text-to-Speech

PEABODY, MA - ScanSoft Inc. announced that IBM has selected ScanSoft RealSpeak text-to-speech to extend the language capabilities of the IBM WebSphere Voice Server.

iVoice Installs Store Locator IVR for Perfumania

MATAWAN, NJ - iVoice Inc. announced the installation of an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) Store Locator system at Perfumania Inc.

Telisma, SVOX, D-Link and Voice Robots Launch Off-the-shelf Speech Server

ZURICH - D-Link, SVOX, voice robots and Telisma announce the launch of a Speech Server, a new voice platform for the enterprise market.

Prologix Software Solutions Launches Indian Language TTS

LUCKNOW, INDIA - Prologix Software Solutions Pvt. Ltd.has developed a Pan-Indian Text-to-Speech Software.

Syntellect and speechvantage Partner

HORSHAM, PA - Syntellect and speechvantage announced a strategic relationship to sell VoiceXML-based speech solutions to enterprise customers.

Unisys Builds ROI Tool to Help Carriers See Subscriber Service Revenue

BLUE BELL, PA - Unisys Corporation has developed a planning tool that helps network service providers (NSPs) measure the potential financial impact of offering voice services such as voice portal and speech solutions to their subscribers.

Fonix DECtalk Drives New Type-to-Talk Product from ZYGO

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - Fonix Corporation announced its leading DECtalk text-to-speech technology has been integrated into the latest type-to-talk product from ZYGO a leader in providing such augmentative communication systems to physically disabled people.

Glenayre Provides Versera Platform To Dallas-based MetroPCS

ATLANTA, GA - Glenayre Technologies Inc. announced that MetroPCS will integrate Glenayre's Versera Large Solution platform into its Miami market.

Kurzweil Educational to Offer Customizable Test-Taking Technology

BEDFORD, MA - Kurzweil Educational Systems, developer of reading technology products for individuals with learning and visual disabilities, announced the new Kurzweil 3000 Version 7.

VeCommerce Announces Contract with the Woodbine Entertainment Group

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - VeCommerce Limited has announced that it has been awarded a contract to provide its e-commerce solutions to Canada's Woodbine Entertainment Group.

Interactive Intelligence, Loquendo Sign OEM Agreement

An original equipment manufacturer agreement was signed this week that enables Interactive Intelligence to integrate Loquendo's multi-lingual text-to-speech engine into its customer interaction management software for contact centers and enterprises.

Real-Time Monitoring of Election Day Activities Nationwide

VoterLink Data Systems is using Convergys' advanced speech recognition (ASR) solution aspart of VoterLink's Vote411.net, a speech-enabled Web site designed to helpt he Democratic National Committee (DNC) capture and monitor information about Election Day voter turnout and possible voting irregularities nationwide.

Verascape Launches VeraServ 2.0 VXML Platform

Verascape announced the release of VeraServ 2.0, the latest version of its VoiceXML speech platform. It has been enhanced to offer further benefits to enterprise customers, service providers and voice ASPs.

Verizon Wireless to License HeyAnita Voice Technology

BEDMINSTER, NJ and LOS ANGELES, CA - Verizon Wireless has licensed technology from HeyAnita to support Voice Gear, Verizon Wireless' suite of voice-enabled services that include voice-activated dialing, voice browsing and corporate e-mail browsing.

Rapid Deployment of Multimodal Speech Applications with the StarRec Dialog Development System

ULM, GERMANY - The StarRec Dialog Development System (DDS) is a development kit for the implementation and testing of speech dialog applications for each type of run-time platform.

Eckoh Technologies and BT Create Exclusive Alliance

UNITED KINGDOM - Eckoh Technologies plc ("Eckoh") and BT announced the formation of an exclusivealliance to provide BT's customers with advanced speech recognitiontechnology.

United Airlines Japan and SpeechWorks Deploy Bilingual Speech-enabled Flight Information Service

TOKYO, JAPAN - United Airlines and SpeechWorks Japan K.K. announced the deployment of a new speech-enabled service that offers United Airlines customers access to flight information through a toll-free number.

MobiVoice Enhances BlackBerry PDA for Special Voice Applications

ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND - Cybernetics InfoTech Inc. (CYBIT) announced the availability of its MobiVoice enhancement for the RIM BlackBerry PDA to serve special vertical markets.

LumenVox Releases SRE v3.0 for Linux

SAN DIEGO, CA - LumenVox announced their new SpeechRecognition Engine (SRE) v3.0 for Linux, continuing their multi-platformsupport of advanced speech recognition technology.

Ectaco Reports Development and Supply of Localization Software Series

NEW YORK, NY - Ectaco Inc. and Toshiba Europe haveentered into a collaboration agreement. In accordance with the agreementEctaco Development Center has created a series of localization software -Ectaco Language Support for Toshiba Pocket PCs e310 and e740.

Speaker Verification for SAS Employees

Scandinavian IT Group and Voice Provider have developed a speech recognition service for internal verification and password handling for SAS, which aims to increase security and at the same time reduce the costs when members of staff have forgotten their passwords.

Language and Computing New Appointments Support Expansion

ZONNEGEM, BELGIUM and PHILADELPHIA, PA - Language and Computing (L&C) announced new key appointments to support the further expansion of its worldwide activities.

Brooktrout Technology, Loquendo and Netcom Team up to Deliver Speech-Enabled Applications; Brooktrout Technology and Philips Speech Processing Partner

NEW YORK, NY - Loquendo TTS text-to-speech software and Loquendo ASR automatic speechrecognition software has been integrated by Netcom on Brooktrout's TR1000media resource platform.

SPIRIT Announces New Vocoders

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - SPIRIT offers new 1000 bps and 2000 bps proprietary vocoders, closely related to SPIRIT's 1200 bps and 2400 bps vocoder algorithms.

United States Postal Service Enters into Contract with Wizzard

PITTSBURGH, PA - Wizzard Software announced that it has been awarded a speech recognition software development contract by the United States Postal Service (USPS) to participate in their Bank Secrecy Act initiative.

Wavemakers Announces Telematics Collaboration

VANCOUVER, BC - Wavemakers Inc. announced its collaboration with Johnson Controls on the company's BlueConnect telematics system.

iVoice Installs Dealer Locator IVR for Cellular Network Communications Group

MATAWAN, NJ - iVoice Inc. announced the installation of an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) Store Locator system for Cellular Network Communications Group.

Rhetorical Selected to Provide Voice Synthesis For Air Traffic Control Program

BOSTON, MA and MONTREAL, CANADA - Rhetorical announced that Adacel Inc. has licensed its rVoice text-to-speech technology for several air traffic control training programs.

The U.S. District Court of Florida to Implement SpeechWorks Speaker Verification

Frank Solutions has been selected by the U.S. District Court in South Florida to provide the TelePath Voice Recognition platform for its Parolee and Probation Division.

Intervoice Signs Managed Services Contract

DALLAS, TX - Intervoice Inc. announced a channel partnership with Precision Response Corporation to flexibly deliver and manage voice applications to PRC's customer base.

Glenayre Completes Move of Messaging Suite to Intel And Linux-Based Platforms

ATLANTA, GA - Glenayre Technologies Inc. announced plans to move its complete Versera Solution portfolio to Intel and Linux-based solution platforms.

Fast-Talk and VorTecs Offer Call Centers Audio Search Capabilities

ATLANTA, Ga. - Fast-Talk announced a licensing agreement with VorTecs. VorTecs has integrated Fast-Talk's phonetic search engine into its Spot It! and Mine It! software applications.

SpeechWorks Customers Reach New Call Volume Milestones with Speech

BOSTON, MA - SpeechWorks International Inc. announced twenty of its customers have achieved and in many cases surpassed a new milestone; servicing over one million calls with their speech recognition systems.

Elix Integrates VoiceXML into Its Interactive Voice Response Platform

MONTREAL, QUEBEC - Elix announces that Elix IVS for Windows 2000, itsinteractive voice response platform, now supports VXML 2.0.

Weblicon and Voxpilot Form Partnership

DUBLIN, IRELAND and BERLIN, GERMANY - Weblicon and Voxpilot have teamed up to make Weblicon's multilingual communications solutions available all over Europe.

Voice Signal Develops Speech Solution for Nokia Smartphone

Voice Signal Technologies and Nokia demonstrated Voice Signal's multilingual speech solution for Nokia's Series 60 smartphone platform.

Phonetic Systems Wins the "Most Innovative Solution" Award at SpeechTEK

BEDFORD, MA and HELSINKI, FINLAND - Phonetic Systems announced that their completelyvoice automated directory assistance deployment with Fonecta (Finland) wasawarded to be the most innovative solution brought to the marketplace by thereaders of Speech Technology Magazine at the annual SpeechTEK event in NewYork.

Audiopoint Launches Wireless Voice Terminal Service for End-Users

FAIRFAX, VA - Audiopoint announced the launch of its enhanced e-mail Voice Terminal Service (VTS) for end-users.

IBM Announces Expanded Availability of ViaVoice Dictation Software in Europe

LONDON, UK - IBM announced an agreement with London-based MediaGold UK Ltd. to broaden the availability of IBM's ViaVoice dictation software in selected European countries.

iVoice Signs Letter of Intent to Purchase Profitable Company

MATAWAN, NJ - iVoice Inc. announced it has signed a Letter of Intent to purchase substantially all of the assets of a leading food equipment maintenance contractor located in New Jersey.

European Union Supports UK-led Consortium with Technology Research Grant

LONDON, UK - A UK-led consortium has been awarded a research grant by the European Union (EU) for the development of human language technologies.

VoiceObjects Factory 1.1 Extends Speech Platform Support and Functions

COLOGNE, GERMANY - With the new 1.1 version of VoiceObjects Factory, VoiceObjects is presenting the newest version of its Voice Applications Server.

iVoice Releases Speech Software Developers Kit Version 3.0

MATAWAN, NJ - iVoice Inc. announced the release of the latest version of its Speech Software Developers Kit (SDK).