That maybe the reason, however the award from that Magazine is an old one, least I be mistaken. My money for the stock rise is on SFE, although, I was reading through tomorrow's paper and came upon this:
investors.com
(Investor's Business Daily)
Will Your Voice Be A Passport Into PCs?
Date: 1/15/99
Author: Michael Tarsala
It's a ''Star Trek'' lover's dream - logging on to a computer by the sound of your voice. Think it's science fiction? Think again. Software that grants personal computer access via voice is on store shelves for less than $60. Such software for PCs hit the market only recently, says Christopher Tomes, chief executive of Veritel Corp. of Chicago, makers of Voicecrypt, a voice-verification program. But he claims well-known PC makers are considering packaging voice-verification software with new computers. ''It's something that's needed at the desktop,'' Tomes said. ''I consider my (electronic) mail very proprietary. Without a product like Voicecrypt, anyone can walk up to my computer and read my e-mail.''
Of course, limiting computer access can be done with a simple password. Fancier security systems use cards as well as passwords. But both cards and passwords can be stolen or forgotten, Tomes says. Except for occasional laryngitis, a person's voice rarely is lost.
''We're basically getting rid of passwords,'' said Clint Fuller, chief operating officer of Tampa, Fla.-based Saflink Corp., maker of SaftyLatch voice-verification software. Fuller says consumer voice- recognition software is expected to grow to a $1 billion market by '01 from $25 million in '98.
Voice verification is known in computer lingo as a ''biometric'' - a unique, measurable trait of someone, such as a fingerprint.
Supporters say personal verification via voice could find a mass market. Voice technology may have an advantage over other biometrics such as fingerprint readers, which require added hardware.
''Our software adds 50 cents to $1 per PC shipped,'' Tomes said. ''Do you really think PC companies are going to include readers that cost $30 or $40 per PC shipped?'' Dave Harper, biometrics program manager for Reston, Va.-based software tester ICSA Inc., says voice verification is not necessary for many. Passwords still are an effective way to safeguard computers, he adds.
''I wish I could say voice verification was catching on like crazy,'' Harper said. ''People seem more interested in voice recognition - the ability to interpret words - as opposed to identifying the speaker.'' Harper, though, considers the software a ''reasonable tool'' for keeping data thieves out of PCs and laptops.
Voice-verification software works only with PCs that have sound cards. It usually comes with a microphone. At each computer log-on, the speaker says, ''My voice is my password.'' The live speech sample is compared with a previously recorded sample taken when the software is installed. The software also can lock up file folders on a computer hard drive. Folders are given an icon to show they are protected. The software encrypts and decrpyts data, making it difficult for hackers to see scrambled files.
There are some bugs, however. Voice-verification software has trouble working with too many loud voices in a room. It also won't work with a loud fan nearby. But it will work when a person has a cold, software makers say. On the market two months, Voicecrypt sells for $49.95. Veritel plans to ship a network version of Voicecrypt by April. Veritel also plans to give away voice-activated screen-saver software from its Web site. The software is supposed to keep data from view at unattended computers until owners give a voice command to lift the screen saver.
Saflink started shipping SaftyLatch last week, which retails for $59.95. In addition to voice, SaftyLatch works with a developing biometric industry standard that might be used with other types of biometrics. Should fingerprint readers or even face scanners prove popular in the future, SaftyLatch will work with them, Saflink's Fuller says. ''There are several markets for this product,'' Fuller said.
(C) Copyright 1999 Investors Business Daily, Inc.
Regards,
Bob "Research" Jordan |
