IBM to equip K6-2/333&K6-2/350 home PCs w/ speech recognition&DVD
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Sept 23 (Reuters)
- IBM (NYSE:IBM - news) said on Wednesday that it will equip new models of its consumer
line of personal computers with speech recognition technology that allows users to control PCs
using voice commands.
The company unveiled four new Aptiva consumer PC models, three of which include the
ViaVoice speech technology that takes dictation from a user and automatically translates it into
computer text.
With its ViaVoice speech-to-text technology and other features designed to make PCs easier to
use, IBM is redoubling efforts to set itself apart in a field where there is often little difference
between products from rival computermakers.
The three speech-enabled computers are priced between $1,099 and $1,799. The fourth model
starts at $899.
''IBM Aptiva has long been recognized for delivering outstanding multimedia technology to
consumers,'' Brian Connors, vice president of the IBM Aptiva line, said in a statement.
''By incorporating the power of IBM's ViaVoice technology into three of these new Aptiva
models, we are providing our customers with technology unmatched by the competition,'' he
said.
Eventually, all IBM Aptiva computers will include the speech recognition technology, a
spokesman added.
The top two models also offer a Rapid Access Keyboard, with pre-programmed buttons for
quick Internet access, and ScrollPoint Mouse, with additional screen navigation features, both
developed to make the PC as easy to use as possible.
All four models come loaded with Lotus SmartSuite software.
The $899 model runs on an Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NYSE:AMD - news) K6-2 333
megahertz speed processor.
The three ViaVoice-equipped computers include a $1,099 model with a 350 megahertz AMD
processor, a $1,399 PC running an Intel Corp. (Nasdaq:INTC - news) 350 megahertz Pentium
II chip and the $1,799 PC running an Intel 400 megahertz Pentium II, with a digital video disk
player and additional software titles. |
