Mark,
I believe you had a question in the past about MOT's VoxML. As a layman, I believe I understand the basic technology concerning accessing the internet by voice thru VoxML. What I don't understand, is how will GMGC be able to access the web by voice without a program such as VoxML. My only uneducated case is that prior to utilizing GMGC's VUI (with the internet), the programmer must write the program specifically for voice access. I would seem to me that this would take a long time for widespread use.
If you or anyone else has any guesses let me know:)
Take care,
Kurt
mot.com
voxml.motorola.com
Motorola Introduces Voice Browser Technology for Accessing Web Content from Telephones
New VoxML™ Voice Markup Language Brings Voice Applications to Web, Enables Developers to Easily Extend Online Content to Mobile Users
Naperville, Ill. — September 30, 1998 — Motorola, Inc.'s Internet and Connectivity Services Division (ICSD) today introduced VoxML™
Voice Markup Language, a powerful new technology that extends the reach of the Internet and intranets by enabling access to online content from
any telephone. VoxML is an industry-leading, flexible application programming language that allows software developers and Internet content
providers to write voice applications to help users access the growing amounts of content on the Web using natural voice dialogue. Fifty-four percent
of U.S. businesses now have Web sites that provide information to their customers, according to Simmons Market Research Bureau.
"The VoxML platform is a leading example of applying Motorola technology to the Internet and communications markets," said Merle Gilmore,
President, Motorola Communications Enterprise. "This initiative demonstrates our commitment to enabling new service businesses. VoxML
provides the means for exciting consumer services – allowing people to access the Web using their voice."
Applications utilizing VoxML will allow people to access online information such as personal banking information, weather forecasts, sports scores,
stock quotes and internal company information over wireless phones, wireline phones or computers using natural voice commands. Building
consumer offerings using VoxML will help accelerate the emerging speech-enabled services market – an industry expected to grow to $3.4 billion by
2003, according to industry studies.
"VoxML will revolutionize the way people access online information and Web content," said Maria Martinez, Motorola ICSD general manager and
vice president. "This language enables developers to leverage their existing Web application skills to tap into new distribution channels and reach
emerging markets and revenue streams. Motorola is committed to developing an open voice application platform for services that will help consumers
more easily access information and simplify their lives."
Content Provider Benefits
Several content providers, including The Weather Channel, CBS MarketWatch.com, Traffic Station Group, Biztravel.com, astrology.net and
SmartRoute, have already embraced VoxML as the ideal method of extending the reach of their content services. These companies have been able to
write voice applications, in a matter of days, leveraging their existing skills to bring their customized content from the Web to the mobile user.
A voice-activated flight status service is one example of a VoxML application that provides convenient access to timely information. A user calling in
to access airline information simply says, "Is the ABC Airline's flight from Washington, D.C., on time?" The airline's VoxML application interprets
the voice request and translates it to a Web request. The application locates and publishes the requested information in VoxML, which is then
translated from text into speech and delivered back to the user. In the future, VoxML will enhance the user interfaces for many similar applications
that simplify users' lives and make them more productive when mobile.
VoxML Development
Motorola developed VoxML because of the difficulties in creating a user-friendly voice application using only the style sheets associated with the
Web development language HTML. In contrast, using VoxML, developers can connect two different worlds, the human voice and the Internet, by
employing easy-to-use tools to create an intelligent, intuitive link to specific information found on the Web.
"Motorola's VoxML helps eliminate a real bottleneck to the growth of speech-enabled applications. It leverages the work done in gathering
information at Web sites by making it much easier to access that information by phone," said Bill Meisel, President of TMA Associates. "Wireless
and landline telephones can become a convenient way of getting information from the Internet no matter where you are."
VoxML applications may interface with encapsulated dialogue components such as SpeechObjects from Nuance Communications, the leader in
speech recognition for self-service transactions. SpeechObjects are reusable speech components that incorporate the potentially complex dialogue and
vocabulary that may be used in speech applications. "VoxML adds enormous potential to the development of speech applications by increasing the
reach of voice-enabled services," said Ronald Croen, President and CEO of Nuance Communications. "Now with the power of voice, access to vital
Web-based information is within anyone's reach."
Developers familiar with HTML will find VoxML programming language easy to learn and implement because HTML programming experience
transfers well to building VoxML voice applications. In addition, VoxML helps content providers obtain greater return on their Internet investments
by providing another distribution channel through which they can reach customers.
"We are pleased to work with Motorola to bring our real-time financial news and data to a voice platform," said Larry Kramer, President and CEO of
CBS MarketWatch.com. "Voice delivery will help us to reach our users with breaking news when they don't have access to data screens or our
traditional Web news pages. Motorola's software development kit (SDK) allowed us to take our existing databased HTML content and, with limited
additional work, deliver it dynamically with VoxML."
Interested developers can obtain a software development kit (SDK) – which includes a VoxML language specification, a VoxML simulator for
applications development and several example applications – from Motorola by downloading it from voxml.motorola.com.
About ICSD
Motorola Internet and Connectivity Services Division, a unit of the Internet and Networking Group, develops and markets value-added solutions to
simplify consumers' lives by integrating communications for connectivity and access to people, information and services. Motorola is a global leader
in advanced electronic systems and services. It liberates the power of technology by creating software-enhanced products that provide integrated
customer solutions and Internet access via wireless and satellite communications, as well as computing, networking, and automotive electronics.
Motorola also provides essential digital building blocks in the form of embedded semiconductors, controls and systems. Sales in 1997 were $29.8
billion. For further information, please visit Motorola's Web site at mot.com. |
