A group of industry heavyweights-headed by Google Inc., T-Mobile, HTC Corp., Qualcomm Inc., and Motorola Inc.-announced a new software platform for cellphones that includes an operating system, middleware, user interface and applications. The alliance said the first phones based on the "Android" platform will...
Microsoft Corp. officially joined the voice-operated search field, unveiling a free directory-assistance service for mobile and fixed-line users.The software giant launched Live Search 411, an offering that delivers local listings as well as weather updates, movie show times and airline information. Users with Internet-enabled...
All that cash being poured into voice-activated search is beginning to look like a good bet.A recent study from Usable Products Co. indicates speechrecognition technology finally may have become user-friendly. The New York-based market research firm tested four mobile search offerings-three text-based services and...
Nuance Communications Inc. said it will provide speech-recognition technology for an ad-sponsored directory assistance service provided by Jingle Networks Inc.Jingle, which powers the 1-800-FREE-411 offering, said it will integrate Nuance's technology to enable users to search for local business listings by voice. Jingle claims...
The speech-to-text playground just got a little more crowded.TravellingWave, a Seattle-based startup, came out of stealth mode touting "breakthrough technology" that transcribes voice into text on mobile devices. The company said it raised an undisclosed amount in a Series A financing round from several...
I spent much of the past week on my phone, browsing mobile content storefronts, accessing local business listings and checking out the latest baseball scores. Surprisingly, though, my thumbs are well-rested-which is a feat, considering all the megabytes of data I accessed. What's my...
Speech-recognition company Nuance Communications Inc. announced it will purchase Tegic Communications Inc., which supplies the popular T9 predictive-text software for cellphones, in a deal worth $265 million. Nuance said the transaction will allow the company to build a "multimodal" input product for cellphones that...
Handset maker Pantech announced a three-year licensing agreement with VoiceSignal. Under the terms of the agreement, Pantech will get access to VoiceSignal's range of speech-recognition products, which allow users to manipulate a variety of handset functions and services using their voice."It is particularly gratifying...
Nuance Communications Inc. continued to thin the speech-recognition herd, snapping up VoiceSignal Technologies Inc. in a deal valued at nearly $300 million.The company said it will fork over 5.8 million Nuance shares as well as $204 million in cash for privately held VoiceSignal, a...
Nuance Communications Inc. continued to help thin the speech-recognition herd, snapping up VoiceSignal Technologies Inc. in a deal valued at nearly $300 million.Nuance said it will fork over 5.8 million Nuance shares as well as $204 million in cash for privately held VoiceSignal, a...
The voice-activated mobile search space continued to heat up as Microsoft Corp. launched a series of services delivering local business information.The free offerings, unveiled by Microsoft subsidiary Tellme Networks Inc., allow users to dial a toll-free number, 1-800-555-TELL, from any phone and say their...
Even in the confusing, clinical world of mobile software terms, the term "speech-recognition technology" draws yawns. Lately, though, it's also drawing a flood of investment money.Speech-recognition developers for years were the Eli Mannings of the wireless world, failing to live up to loads of...
In the healthcare industry, professionals are more likely to be mobile than not: roaming from patient to patient, office to operating room, clinic to hospital. Quick access to patient information and other healthcare professionals can help hospitals and physicians improve patient care, and Sprint...
Nuance Communications Inc. said it will spend $140 million to acquire BeVocal, a fellow developer of speech-recognition software.Nuance announced plans to issue roughly 8.3 million common shares and spend $15 million for BeVocal, which offers speech-based customer care solutions to wireless companies. The Burlington,...
Voice-recognition software developer Promptu pocketed $5.6 million in a round of funding led by existing investors Steelpoint Capital Partners and Lauder Partners L.L.C. Promptu, which was founded as AgileTV in 2000, gained traction working with cable operators and on-demand TV service providers before shifting...
In the world of wireless handset vendors, there's an increasing divide between the haves and the have-nots. In this case, the having or not-having doesn't revolve around bling, but scale. Nokia Corp. and Motorola Inc. have the scale to invest in research and development...
This Halloween, mobile content provider Mixxer.com is offering free mobile content to wireless trick-or-treaters. The company is giving away spooky graphics and sounds, including ringtones from "Halloween," "The Exorcist," "The Addams Family," and "Tales from the Crypt." The company also is offering free Halloween-themed...
LOS ANGELES--Two forces are creating a market for speaker-independent voice services on the handset, according to one player that believes it is poised to dominate that market. The convergence of voice, multimedia and Web browsing on handsets has brought renewed emphasis to the keypad...
Two forces are creating a market for speaker-independent voice services on the handset, according to a player that believes it is poised to dominate the market. RCR @ CTIAClick here for complete coverage of the CTIA Wireless I.T. show. Click here for the latest...
CINCINNATI—MobileVoiceControl Inc. is entering the voice-driven search market with an application for smart phones from Sprint Nextel Corp. The developer launched VoiceControl, which allows users to search for mobile content, local business listings and information from the Internet; users can also give voice commands...
MENLO PARK, Calif.—Voice-recognition software developer Promptu said it closed an $11.6 million round of funding. Steelpoint Capital Partners led the round, and other current investors also participated. Promptu, which was founded as AgileTV in 2000, has gained significant traction by working with cable operators...
MENLO PARK, Calif.—Voice-recognition software developer Promptu said it closed an $11.6 million round of funding. Steelpoint Capital Partners led the round, and other current investors also participated. Promptu, which was founded as AgileTV in 2000, has gained significant traction by working with cable operators...
WASHINGTON—The Senate Commerce Committee passed its sweeping telecommunications-reform bill, including in it two critical bits for the wireless industry: wireless pre-emption with a small caveat and a moratorium on cell-phone taxes. The bill is now headed to the Senate floor. However, Sen. Ron Wyden...
WASHINGTON—The Senate Commerce Committee Wednesday morning muddied the waters on wireless pre-emption by including stringent truth-in-billing requirements that would be determined by the Federal Communications Commission as part of a larger set of consumer protection rules.The action, which passed by voice vote, does not...
