Well, here's my predictions for 1998:
1. 1998 will be the year voice recognition hits everyone's radar screen.
2. LHSPF will introduce a ton of new products, split 2:1, and end the year at 70.
3. IBM will announce several new partnerships utilizing its Via Voice product in a number of new applications.
4. Dragon Dictate will go public in the most ballyhooed IPO of 1998, taking Seagate's fortunes up with it.
5. Voice recognition will be THE software program to have pre-installed on your new computer, PDA, cellular phone, etc, and will stimulate (along with Windows 98 and the Windows NT update) a new round of computer buying, using fast processors and lots of SDRAM, leading to a big surge in tech stocks in the second half of 98.
6. FONX will finally find someone to license its product, (or buy the whole company) who will find it useful only for the access to the neural network patent, and will develop this eventually (not in 98) into the next level of "intelligent" voice recognition. But lots of others will use neural networks and similar techniques to do the same thing, too.
7. All these stocks will outrun their value and eventually come back down to earth. Those who hold long enough to take advantage of the mania but sell soon enough to avoid to reality jolt will be VERY happy, no matter what the rest of the stock market does.
Now, if it all comes true, I'll be VERY, VERY happy!
Bob |
