ART and SVOX Introduce Speech Interface for the Symbian Platform

ATLANTA, GA and ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - ART Advanced Recognition Technologies Inc., developer of natural Human Interface solutions for the mobile world, and SVOX AG, the independent provider of text-to-speech (TTS) software, announced the expansion of their existing cooperation with the launch of a new unified speech interface solution for use on the Symbian based platforms. ART's smARTspeak XG, the phonemic-based embedded speaker independent name and continuous digit dialing solution, designed for wireless mobile devices, and SVOX's embedded TTS technology, will be available in a single, fully integrated solution. By implementing SVOX's TTS together with the smARTspeak XG, the device itself now replies when users use Speaker Independent speech activated name dialing of a number in their address book by translating the text entry back into voice for verification. Designed for the entire spectrum of next generation applications, especially those based on the Symbian OS, such as Nokia S60, UIQ, and 9210 platforms, this first joint offering to the market is a comprehensive solution for Nokia Series 60 and 9210 platforms for next generation mobile phones and serves as a basis for future keyboardless, low-cost mobile phones. "By combining ART's phonemic-based speech activation of text data and SVOX's expertise in embedded text-to-speech, we have created an exciting new product that will allow mobile phone manufacturers to offer new value added features, lower manufacturing cost and provide products to new market segments." says Volker Jantzen, CEO of SVOX. "While end users continue to demand ever more simple access and activation of their devices, the technology that drives them is ever more sophisticated," says Eran Aharonson, President of ART. "By integrating these two high-performance speech technologies - especially designed to operate within the demanding environment of cellular devices - ART and SVOX are opening new doors of creative possibilities for OEMs and independent developers of mobile devices."