IBM Introduces ViaVoice for Windows
SOMERS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 29, 2000--IBM today
announced its new ViaVoice for Windows, a new family of voice
recognition software that can make talking to your computer easier,
faster and more accurate than ever before.
ViaVoice for Windows, Release 8.0 includes four products designed to
meet the needs of the most advanced to first-time computer users. New
enhancements include: a USB connectivity noise-cancelling microphone;
faster set-up time; improved correction capabilities and expanded
command and control features for voice-navigation of the desktop.
According to internal tests performed by IBM, these enhancements
combine to make ViaVoice for Windows the most accurate IBM voice
recognition product to date.
In addition, a new voice template tool, called ViaVoice Documents, can
make it faster and easier to dictate into e-mail, forms, memos, briefs and
fax templates. Voice Marks, a new text-to-speech feature, allows users
to save time and keep working while ViaVoice confirms that the macros
a user has chosen are completed.
According to Roper Starch Worldwide, the PC is today's most
ubiquitous device for computing, with 30 percentage of the world's
population owning a computer.
"We believe that voice will transform the way that humans interact with
technology, from the computer to the telephone and Internet. The first
place to effect this transformation is by making the device that people
use most -- the personal computer -- more friendly to use and more
productive," said Krishna Nathan, director of IBM Consumer Voice
Systems. "By offering a ViaVoice for Windows solution for the most
advanced to the newest computer user and making that solution more
accurate and easier to use than ever before, we are building the
foundation for interacting with all types of future devices and
technologies more naturally."
"There is no doubt that voice will be the next interface between humans
and machines," said Dr. Judith Markowitz, president of J. Markowitz,
Consultants. "Computing power and voice recognition accuracy rates
have already improved to the extent where voice is now a viable
alternative to typing text for a growing number of people. Anyone who
working with computers in the 1980s remembers how the graphical user
interface (GUI) completely changed the way that people used
computers. We expect voice technology to be part of an every greater
transformation of the user interface -- one in which voice, touch, and
other modes of interaction enable a person to communicate with
machines in the most natural and effective way possible."
The ViaVoice for Windows, Release 8.0 Product Family
ViaVoice for Windows, Release 8.0 includes four offerings -- Pro,
Advanced, Standard and Personal.
Features of each include:
ViaVoice for Windows, Pro Edition offers the greatest power for
maximum efficiency and productivity. It includes a digital USB adapter
and microphone that can provide users with enhanced audio quality and
improved recognition and accuracy.
Users can choose the input channel they prefer: an analog connection to
a standard sound card port or a pathway to an available USB port.
Additional capabilities include the new ViaVoice Documents feature that
can help users dictate into established templates to make repetitive tasks
and text entry quick and easy, and ViaVoice Marks, which uses
Text-to-Speech technology or pre-recorded audio to playback
acknowledgment of the user's simple closing and address macro
formatting. ViaVoice for Windows, Pro Edition also includes support for
Windows NT, Me, 2000, 98 and 95.
ViaVoice for Windows, Advanced Edition also offers a USB digital
microphone adapter for digitized or analog USB connectivity, making it
a powerful USB speech solution. The Advanced Edition also provides
Natural Language Commands for control over voice recognition
dictation as well as command and control for easy navigation of the
desktop and the Web. Now, users can surf the Internet, create e-mail
and conduct voice chats with ViaVoice for Windows, Advanced Edition
while enjoying the high quality of USB audio. ViaVoice for Windows,
Advanced Edition also includes support for Windows Me, 98 and 95.
ViaVoice for Windows, Standard Edition is ideal for the user who is
primarily interested in dictating text into Microsoft Word or ViaVoice
SpeakPad, IBM's speech-enabled word processor. The Standard Edition
offers all the enhancements and improvements to the voice engine for
improved accuracy found in the Advanced and Pro Edition products, as
well as Direct Dictation into Microsoft Word 97 and 2000. ViaVoice for
Windows, Standard Edition also includes support for Windows Me, 98
and 95.
ViaVoice for Windows, Personal Edition is IBM's entry-level
speech recognition solution, perfect for beginners or entry-level users. It
features improved accuracy and performance and includes a headset
microphone, as well as Direct Dictation into Microsoft
Word 97 and 2000. ViaVoice for Windows, Personal Edition also
includes support for Windows Me, 98 and 95.
Pricing and Availability
Beginning on September 5, 2000, ViaVoice for Windows, Release 8.0
will be sold through major retail and office supply stores throughout the
U.S., ShopIBM (www.ibm.com/shop), other select online vendors, mail
order catalogs and additional distribution channels. U.K. English, Italian,
German, French, Spanish, Japanese, simplified Chinese and traditional
Chinese languages are planned for availability in late 2000. The
suggested retail price of ViaVoice for Windows, Personal Edition is
$29.95; ViaVoice for Windows, Standard Edition is $59.95; ViaVoice
for Windows, Advanced Edition is $99.95; and ViaVoice for Windows
Pro Edition is $199.95.
About IBM Voice Systems
IBM voice recognition technology is based on 30 years of speech
recognition research and development. With a portfolio of more than
100 patents, an established R&D business that included researchers
worldwide and a robust, proven speech technology available in many
languages, IBM is a leader in speech recognition. IBM is the global
leader in providing access to data through end-to-end voice integrated
solutions that enable organizational effectiveness for e-business
development. For more information about IBM Voice Systems, visit the
World Wide Web at ibm.com. |
