InfoSpace Teams up with Bell Mobility Investments, a Canadian Corporate Venture Company, to Enhance Speech Recognition Technologies and Voice Activated Dialing -VAD- Application R&D Project Focused On Delivering Enhanced Wireless VAD Application In VoiceXML
BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 6, 2001-- InfoSpace, Inc. (Nasdaq:INSP - news), a provider of wireless and Internet software and application services, today announced a research and development (R&D) initiative under which Bell Mobility Investments (BMI), a Canadian corporate venture company created by BCE and Bell Mobility, will fund a portion of InfoSpace's R&D activities and provide technical support, expertise and market knowledge.
The R&D activities are related to wireless telecommunications, more specifically to a VoiceXML-based voice activated dialing (VAD) application.
The aim of the research is to enhance the overall user experience of the VAD application by improving the performance of speech recognition technology in wireless environments. Using a speaker independent speech recognition technology, the planned service will support simultaneous recognition of both English and French languages.
VAD as a speech application offers users the ability to access large directories of contact information stored in an individual's e-mail and Personal Information Manager (i.e., Calendar, Address Book and To-Do List) at any time, from any place.
``We are thrilled at the opportunity to work with Canada's leading wireless carrier to innovate and deliver value-added wireless services,'' said Naveen Jain, chairman and CEO of InfoSpace, Inc. ``The key to applications, such as VAD, is to deliver a multi-modal experience to wireless subscribers. Speech is an ideal input and/or query differentiator offering users additional benefits, including personal safety and quick access.''
``We believe that voice-enabled applications hold significant potential for both consumers and businesses,'' said Ted Maksimowski, president of BMI. ``By teaming with a leading-edge developer in VoiceXML applications, BMI can contribute to the advancement of wireless solutions.''
About BMI
Bell Mobility Investments, a Canadian corporate venture capital player, created by Bell Canada's wireless division, Bell Mobility, and BCE, makes strategic equity investments and provides R&D funding to innovative companies developing and delivering wireless Internet and data products and services. Bell Mobility and Bell Mobility Investments have provided funding to 21 different companies. More information can be obtained at www.bellmobility.ca/bmi. Bell Canada, Canada's national leader for communications in the Internet world, provides connectivity to residential and business customers through wired and wireless voice and data communications, high speed and wireless Internet access, IP-broadband services, e-business solutions, local and long distance phone and directory services. Bell Canada is owned by BCE Inc. of Montreal (80%) and by SBC Communications Inc. of San Antonio, Texas (20%). For more information please visit www.bell.ca. |
