Speech Technology eWeekly - September 01, 2005

Q & A

Daniel Hong, Senior Analyst, Datamonitor

Daniel Hong, senior analyst for Datamonitor's technology practice, explains that "by 2009, spending on hosted speech services will more than double to reach over $840 million in North America."

Speech Technology News

Skype Acquisition by eBay Points to New End Game in e-commerce,

London, ON - Info-Tech Research Group says that eBay's $2.6 billion buyout of IP telephony company, Skype, lays the groundwork for enriched e-commerce applications and services.

Vocal Laboratories Releases Express Feedback Service

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - Vocal Laboratories released Express Feedback.

Philips and Citrix Partner to Enable Speech Recognition and Digital Dictation

VIENNA, Austria - Royal Philips Electronics released an enhancement to the document creation platform SpeechMagic™ enabling speech recognition in Citrix environments.

King's College Hospital Selects ScanSoft Speech Recognition Technology

King's College Hospital has reduced diagnostic reporting times by about 50 percent in a recent cancer treatment trial using Dragon NaturallySpeaking software from ScanSoft and training from Hands Free Computing.

Skype Launches Its Voice Services Program

LUXEMBOURG - Skype, a global Internet communications company, which offers free phone calls to anyone with an Internet connection, announced the further development of its strategy, creating business opportunities for its community of developers and partners by launching its Voice Services Program for third party content providers.

Springdoo Selects MAP Telecom to Host Service in the UK and the US

MONACO - Phone users in the US and the UK are now able to record messages on any phone and send them directly to an e-mail address or group of addresses, thanks to a new talking e-mail service provided by New Zealand based Springdoo Limited, hosted by MAP Telecom and developed by TeleMessenger Solutions Limited.

AssistiveWare Selects Acapela to Voice Enable Proloquo

AssistiveWare has chosen Acapela text-to-speech to voice enable its new software Proloquo, a solution for multilingual pronunciation for Mac OS X.

Philips Releases Hungarian Speech Recognition Software for Lawyers

VIENNA, Austria - Royal Philips Electronics released a Hungarian legal ConText for its document creation platform SpeechMagic.

NCT's Echo Cancellation Technology Gets Approval From Texas Instruments

NCT's ClearSpeech Acoustic Echo Cancellation products for both hands-free and hand-held devices have passed the Texas Instruments (TI) TMS320 DSP Algorithm Compliance Tests for the C55 architecture and have been accepted into TI's eXpressDSP program.

Syntellect to Acquire Apropos

MARKHAM, Ontario, PHOENIX and OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill. - Syntellect Inc. and Apropos Technology, Inc. have signed a definitive merger agreement in which Syntellect has agreed to acquire Apropos for $2.76 per share of Apropos outstanding common stock, or approximately $50 million.

Avaya Forges Alliance with Equant

PARIS and FRANKFURT, Germany - Equant selected Avaya as a key partner to fulfill the company's multi-vendor strategy for voice services.

I Am OK System Comes Online to Help Potential Victims of Hurricane Rita and Other Disasters

LONG ISLAND, N.Y. - National Next of Kin Registry selects text-to-speech solution from Rovenet and Invores to connect hurricane victims to their families.

Empirix Meets Quality Standards of Siebel Systems' Customer Experience Blueprint

BEDFORD, Mass. - Empirix's software solutions met the standards established in Siebel's new Customer Experience Blueprint (CEB).

Taylor Cadillac and Taylor Kia Launch bridgeSpeak AR

MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich. - Both Taylor Automotive stores, Taylor Cadillac and Taylor Kia, have gone live with its bridgeSpeak AR communication system.

Knowles Acoustics Introduces Its Digital MEMS-based SMD Microphone

ITASCA, Ill. - Knowles Acoustics released its new "Digital" series of SiSonic SMD microphones.

VoiceSignal Releases VSuite 3.0

WOBURN, Mass. - VoiceSignal released VSuite 3.0, a speech application for mobile phones that supports "over the air" downloadable language modules.

FEMA Contacts MicroAutomation to Deploy Emergency Solution in New Orleans

MANASSAS, Va. - The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has contacted MicroAutomation and Siemens to deploy an emergency response solution in the New Orleans area.

bridgeSpeak Receives Microsoft Certified Partner Status

bridgeSpeak has achieved recognition as a Microsoft Certified Partner with an ISV/Software Solutions competency.

Genesys Receives "Most Scalable, Distributed IP Contact Center" Award

Genesys Telecommunications Laboratories received the "Most Scalable, Distributed IP Contact Center" Award for its Genesys 7 contact center suite.

OC3 Entertainment's FaceFX Product to Use Fonix VoiceIn Technology

MORRISVILLE, N.C. - OC3 Entertainment will use Fonix VoiceIn™ speech recognition technology in the FaceFX product.

Tech S2 Releases CaseScribe Wireless Dictation and Transcription Service

LANSING, N.Y. - Tech S2, Inc. released CaseScribe, a wireless dictation and Web-based transcription service combining speech recognition and the Internet in a wireless dictation and transcription solution.

VoiceGenie and Brooktrout Partner

BOSTON - VoiceGenie Technologies Inc. and Brooktrout Technology have partnered to deliver enabling technologies for carrier enhanced services within the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) framework.

GFT Group Enables Voice Control of DVD and Media Playback on PC

GFT Group Inc. released the Petrana Voice Commands for DVD 1.1.

Mobile Speak Pocket From Code Factory Features Fonix Text-to-Speech Technology

SALT LAKE CITY - The Fonix Speech Group released Fonix DECtalk text-to-speech (TTS) on screen reading software by Code Factory, a producer of software for handheld devices in the European and Asian assistive markets.

Dolphin Computer Access Limited Partners With Wizzard Software

PITTSBURGH - Dolphin Computer Access Limited has again chosen Wizzard Software's IBM ViaVoice Text-To-Speech Engine offering for use in a variety of their assistive products.

Datria Integrates Its Voice-Enabled Ticket Management Software Applications with VoiceObjects' Voice Application Management System

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. and COLOGNE, Germany - Datria has integrated its voice-driven applications with VoiceObjects X5, the VAMS from VoiceObjects.

NCT Solution Enhances Formats for Speech Solutions

NCT released its Voice Recognition Enhancer technology in x86 library format for Pocket PCs, Smartphones, PC-based dictation systems and automotive voice dialing and command and control applications.

Skype Selects Voxeo

ORLANDO, Fla. - Skype, a global Internet communications company, selected Voxeo to connect Skype callers and Skype Credit accounts to enhanced voice services running on Voxeo's VoiceCenter Hosted IVR Voice Application Platforms through Skype's Voice Services Program.

Nortel and Witness Systems Partner; Nortel Introduces 'Expert Anywhere' Contact Solution

TORONTO - Nortel has teamed with Witness Systems to deliver improved capabilities to Nortel's contact center solution.

Acapela Group Develops Its Linux Range and Partners with AssistiveWare

Acapela Group released its speech technology for telecom, mobile and embedded applications. Proloquo uses Acapela's speech feedback to provide accessibility for the visually, audibly or mobility impaired.

Avaya Introduces Multi-Tenant Blade Server Solution for Delivery of Hosted Communications Applications

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. - Avaya released a new platform for Avaya Hosted Solutions based on IBM Blade Server.

Hasbro's New FURBY Uses Sensory's Chip

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Hasbro, Inc.'s Tiger Electronics division has developed an all-new FURBY creature that has been engineered with Sensory's RSC-4128 microcontroller providing the brains for its many new functions including speech recognition.

Intelligent Voice Limited Launches VoiceXML Hosting Service

COVENTRY, England - Intelligent Voice Limited launched its VoiceXML Hosting Service. The service is built on a VoiceXML 2.0 compliant platform from Plum Voice Portals and features text-to-speech and speech recognition software.

CTBC Selects Voice Partners and LM Sistemas

PALO ALTO, Calif. - Brazilian telecommunication's CTBC selected LM Sistemas and Voice Partners for speech-enablement.

ScanSoft Launches Series of SYSTRAN Desktop Products

PARIS - ScanSoft, Inc. has agreed to distribute a series of co-branded SYSTRAN desktop products tailored for ScanSoft's productivity applications suite in Europe.

Diamelle Technologies Releases Identity Management Suite

Diamelle Technologies has added support for the J2EE 1.4 application servers from IBM, BEA and JBoss in its Identity Management (IDM). The Diamelle solution offers an add-on module that allows users to interact with the system using the phone and voice.

Telephony@Work Introduces CallCenterAnywhere Enterprise Edition v.8.0

Telephony@Work launched CallCenterAnywhere Enterprise Edition Version 8.0, a multi-channel IP Contact Center solution that is integrated-by-design.

VoiceObjects Partners With TSC and Datria

BOSTON and CHICAGO - VoiceObjects and Technology Solutions Company (TSC) agreed to cooperatively deliver voice-driven solutions to the market. Datria has integrated its voice-driven applications with VoiceObjects X5, the VAMS from VoiceObjects.

Hurricane Relief Teams Use MIR3's Notification

Five Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (DMAT) and ImpactWeather, a Houston-based provider of weather forecasting services, used MIR3's text-to-speech system in order to alert customers about the severity of Hurricane Katrina, or in DMAT's case, to gather, assemble and give deployment orders to DMAT members.

Convergys Names Dave Dougherty President and Chief Operating Officer

CINCINNATI - Convergys Corporation has named David F. Dougherty to president and chief operating officer (COO) of Convergys.

Image Matters, Broadstrokes Enter Joint Marketing Agreement that Combines Voice and Geospatial Technologies

Image Matters, a provider in geospatial information technology solutions and Broadstrokes, an XML Web service for data and voice communication, have signed a joint marketing agreement through which both companies will work together to increase market reach and attract new customers.

Loquendo Presents New Expressive Portuguese Voice

Loquendo presents Eusebio, the new expressive voice for the Portuguese language.

PhotoTLC Selects Voxify Automated Agents to Handle Calls

PhotoTLC selected Voxify Automated Agents.

Philips Releases SpeechExec and SpeechMike

ATLANTA - Royal Philips Electronics released its new dictation and transcription software, SpeechExec, that processes dictation voice files from recording to archiving and can be configured according to each user's preferences.

Carrius Names John McNamara Senior Vice President of Worldwide Sales

RICHARDSON, TX - Carrius Technologies, Inc. appointed John McNamara as its new senior vice president of worldwide sales.

Grammy Thailand Mobile Subscribers Use Speech to Access Multimedia Entertainment

Grammy Thailand, a creator of multimedia entertainment content, is using the Contarra speech solution.

VoxGen Awarded Speech Technology Patent

The UK Patent Office has awarded speech recognition specialist, VoxGen, a patent for speech systems that incorporate conversations that are synchronized with any other user interface, such as a graphical user interface.

FunkTrans Fleet Management System Selects Acapela

FunkTrans Termintransport GmbH has chosen the digital disposition and fleet management system from UniDiCom, which is speech-enabled by Acapela.

Skype's Voice Services Program Receives Support From MAP Telecom

MONACO - MAP Telecom is helping Skype enable application developers and content providers create new revenue streams by offering their voice services to the global Skype community of more than 52 million users.

Edify Announces 'Voice Studio' Enabling Speech Development

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Edify Corporation released Edify Voice Studio™.

AVST Adds 30 New Resellers

FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif. - Applied Voice & Speech Technologies, Inc. (AVST) has added 30 new resellers to its channel program this year, giving the company a total of more than 200 channel partners worldwide.

iVoice Announces Digital Telephony Solutions for Siemens Platforms

MATAWAN, NJ - iVoice Inc. announced a digitalcommunication solution that incorporates its Speech EnabledAutoAttendant, Voicemail and Unified Messaging applications for SiemensHicom 300 H, Hicom 300 International, Hicom 150 H, and Rolm 9751, PrivateBranch Exchange (PBX) switches.

The Citizens of Barcelona and Turin Select Loquendo Technology to Power Services

The Municipality of Barcelona's "Large Object Collection" service and the Municipality of Turin's "Cultural Agenda" information service, developed in the context of the EU-funded HOPS IST project, are leveraging Loquendo's speech technology and natural language dialogue.

Avaya Acquires Nimcat Networks

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. - Avaya Inc. has acquired Nimcat Networks, a developer of embedded, peer-to-peer IP (Internet Protocol) communications applications software.

Voxware Releases VoxBrowser and VoxManager 1.0

Voxware released its VoiceXML browser technology, VoxBrowser as well as VoxManager 1.0, a Web-based program that configures user access and administers the voice-enabled units powered by Voxware.

XO Interactive Deploys Convedia Media Servers for VoIP-Enabled Interactive Voice Response Solutions

BOSTON, Mass. - XO Interactive has deployed Convedia's CMS-6000 media servers in its nationwide Voice over IP (VOIP) network.

Empirix Receives Frost & Sullivan Customer Contact Center Testing Award

Empirix has won the 2005 Customer Contact Center Testing & Management Technology Leadership of the Year Award from research firm Frost & Sullivan. The award recognizes Empirix's Hammer Contact Center testing system and OneSight monitoring and management system.

Motorola Licenses Fonix Speech Interface for Mobile Phones

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - Motorola has entered a licensing agreement with The Fonix Speech Group to use Fonix DECtalk® text-to-speech (TTS) technology on upcoming mobile phones.

MacSpeech Reaches out to Hurricane Victims

SALEM, N.H. - MacSpeech will donate two percent of its profits for the month of September to the Red Cross to benefit victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Aculab Adds Third Party Call Control for Prosody X

MILTON KEYES, U.K. - Aculab released the Aculab SIP Bridge, for third party call control, with its next generation media processing resources platform - Prosody X.

Voice Print International Continues European Expansion

CAMARILLO, Calif. - Voice Print International has officially opened its new European headquarters located in London, England.

Fluency Appoints David Johnson to Head Professional Services Team

Fluency Voice Technology appointed David Johnson as vice president of professional services.

Eicon Networks Becomes Tenant in tekVizion Labs

Eicon Networks has entered into an agreement with tekVizion PVS to become a Premier Tenant in tekVizion Labs.

American Contact Centers Losing Ground in the Global Outsourcing Market

Outsourced call center agent positions in the United States are losing their share of the global market, according to new research by independent market analysis firm Datamonitor.

Witness Systems Launches Impact 360 Solution

Witness Systems introduced its new workforce optimization solution - Impact 360.

Adherence Technologies Selects Envox 6 to Power Speech and VoIP Solutions

Adherence Technologies has selected Envox 6 to power its AccuNurse product.

Acapela Releases New Arabic Speech Solutions

MONS, Belgium and TOULOUSE, France - Acapela Group has created Youssef, a male Arabic voice; released its Arabic speech synthesis for Linux; and made its virtual recording studio, Virtual Speaker, available to the Arabic speaking market.

Avaya Releases New Contact Center Solution

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. - Avaya Inc. released Avaya Proactive Contact 3.0, which can call customers, detect a live connection, and then ensure the right agent is connected to the customer.

NICE Named Industry Leader by Independent Analyst Firm Frost & Sullivan

RA'ANANA, Israel - In the recent 2005 study by Frost & Sullivan entitled World Agent Performance Optimization Market, NICE Systems ranked first in the global quality monitoring market.

Globestar Systems and Loquendo Sign Worldwide Partnership Agreement

Globestar Systems, a provider of integrated wireless business solutions, has entered into an agreement which enables GlobeStar to incorporate the Loquendo TTS synthetic speech engine as part of its ConnexALL.

NMS Communications Partners with Interactive Media and Netcentrex

BOSTON - Interactive Media is using the NMS Communications' Vision Video Transcoder to provide telecom operators with a new 3G-324M solution; and Netcentrex is using the NMS Communications' multimedia products to create and deploy new 3G voice and video solutions.

BeVocal Recognized for Speech-Enabled Solutions

Frost & Sullivan presented the 2005 Speech Application & Technology Customer Value Enhancement Award to BeVocal.

Borland Software Selects Angel.com's Virtual Call Center

MCLEAN, Va. - Borland Software Corporation has deployed Angel.coms Virtual Call Center solution.