InternetSpeech Introduces Version of netECHO for Elderly and Visually Impaired

SAN JOSE - InternetSpeech, a voice Internet technology provider, announced a special version of its Voice Internet technology, netECHO, suitable for the elderly, visually impaired/blind communities. The special new version added special features like a voice-based user guide, voice-based customization of the email address book, volume and speed controls; all critical to making the Internet easier to use for the visually impaired, blind and elderly. Developed and deployed in the U.S. in 2000, netECHO allows users to navigate the Internet and listen to information from any Web site, using voice commands and any telephone. netECHO's patent-pending technology provides content from any Web site in real-time, going beyond traditional voice portal features like news, weather, stock quotes and horoscopes. Customers can also search any word(s) using search engines like Google, Altavista and MSN. "InternetSpeech is devoted to offering true Internet access through a simple telephone interface to everyone," said Dr. Emdad Khan, founder, president and CEO of InternetSpeech. "We realized that the need for Voice Internet access is more pronounced in the over 40 million elderly, visually impaired and blind people in the U.S. and that there are also many more outside the U.S. who could use the service. It is very important to provide the "real" Internet to these people, especially the ones who cannot easily access the Internet otherwise." InternetSpeech's voice Internet service is suitable for a variety of market segments, including: ·Mobile business professionals who need access to data while out of the office;
·Senior citizens who have difficulty in using computers or viewing small screens or using a phone key pad;
·Those with disabilities, particularly the visually-impaired;
·People who don't own a computer, or who don't have one readily available; and
·WAP or other small screen-based phone users who want to hear real Internet content versus reading limited, pre-packaged online information on a tiny screen. Future versions will support Internet radio, on page searches, shopping and form filling among others. netECHO also supports business applications. The technology the voice-enabling process, making web-based content accessible in real-time in an interactive audio format for customers who call from any phone. Depending on the site's content, customers can hear company news, as well as product and pricing information, check their order or account status, purchase products, obtain product support, and more, by using their own voice.