interesting news.........
Monday May 24, 9:39 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
Lernout & Hauspie Helps Accelerate
Adoption of Speech Recognition
Software
Ships Next Generation of Its Award-Winning L&H Voice Xpress Products
Version 4 Features Faster Setup and Training, Higher Accuracy, and Support
for Microsoft(R) Office(R) 2000; L&H's Advanced NLT Simplifies Command
and Control
BURLINGTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 24, 1999 -- Lernout & Hauspie
(NASDAQ:LHSP - news; EASDAQ:LHSP) (L&H(tm)) today shipped a new version of its L&H
Voice Xpress(tm) family of continuous speech dictation software products that includes
breakthrough features expected to accelerate the deployment of speech recognition among
mainstream users. L&H Voice Xpress, version 4 offers substantially reduced set-up and
''enrollment'' time, a simplified user interface and significantly higher accuracy rates. These new
features, combined with L&H's flexible Natural Language Technology (NLT), allow users to
successfully dictate accurate text shortly after opening the software package. The new version from
L&H also extends support to Microsoft® Office® 2000 and Intel® Pentium® III Processor, and
offers a speech recognition front-end for Microsoft English Query for SQL Server 7.0, the leading
Windows database.
The L&H Voice Xpress family of products, which includes L&H Voice Xpress Professional,
Advanced and Standard versions, improve productivity by enabling users to dictate, edit and format
documents on their PC using continuous speech. L&H Voice Xpress products enable users to
create memos, e-mails, and spreadsheets - even chat on the Internet - by voice. L&H's Voice
Xpress products feature industry-leading Natural Language Technology (NLT(tm)) which enables
users to command and control PC applications and navigate the desktop using a flexible, natural
command language.
''The improvements in version 4, such as the breakthrough in enrollment, are the direct result of
L&H's strong research and development and an extensive evaluation of user needs,'' said Anatoly
Tikhman, President of L&H's Applications Division. ''By enabling the average user to more quickly
deploy our L&H Voice Xpress products, L&H is accelerating the use of speech recognition
technology in the broader market, where it can significantly improve productivity.''
''As the market for PC-based speech recognition continues to surge, successful software
applications must appeal to the less experienced user with improved usability, enhanced features and
higher accuracy,'' said Amy Wohl, publisher of Amy D. Wohl's Opinions newsletter. ''L&H is
building on its pioneering efforts in Natural Language Technology by making speech technology 'user
friendly.' Such products significantly lower the barrier to the adoption of speech by both consumers
and businesses.''
New Features Improve Performance, Usability
Among the improvements included in the new L&H Voice Xpress version 4 are:
-- The fastest and friendliest way to voice productivity. L&H's
XpressStart(tm) technology effectively simplifies and reduces
enrollment time for most users to only 5 - 10 minutes. Users can
choose between sixteen entertaining scripts to "train" the
application quickly and easily. L&H Voice Xpress, version 4 also
includes an improved user interface which makes features more
accessible and intuitive.
-- Maximum accuracy and performance. L&H Voice Xpress version 4
features accuracy improvements, reducing misrecognitions by up to
25% compared to previous versions. The accuracy improvements in
L&H Voice Xpress version 4 are processor-independent and are
incorporated into all versions of the product. Additional
performance and accuracy improvements are available to users of
Intel® Pentium® III and AMD 3Dnow processors.
-- NLT commands for Microsoft® Office® 2000. L&H Voice Xpress
version 4 supports key Microsoft® Office® 2000 and Microsoft
Internet Explorer 5.0 features. L&H's NLT in L&H Voice Xpress
version 4 enables users to issue flexible voice commands to
leverage Microsoft Office 2000 features, such as "E-mail this
document" to e-mail a document directly from Microsoft Word.
-- Meets the needs of the mobile professional. L&H Voice Xpress
version 4 features "true" support for mobile users. With its new
open architecture, the product supports digitally recorded speech
from a variety of mobile handheld devices, including Sony
MiniDisc, Olympus DS-150, Olympus D-1000 and Norcom 2500.
-- Other new features. L&H Voice Xpress version 4 includes L&H's
TalkingTools, a suite of voice-powered accessories that enable
users to quickly obtain information from their PC and the
Internet by voice. Also included is a set of diagnostic tools
that help the user to achieve maximum performance with the
products.
L&H Voice Xpress 4 also extends support for corporate environments by offering a speech
recognition front-end for Microsoft's English Query for SQL Server 7.0, the leading Windows
database. New features in L&H Voice Xpress 4.0 speech recognition software enable the product
to leverage Microsoft's English Query, a feature of Microsoft SQL 7.0 that allows simple English
language questions to query a SQL Server database. For example, a user could retrieve complex
information from a hotel database by simply 'asking' the SQL database: ''Which hotels in New
York City have a pool and rooms for under $250?'' This new feature is expected to grow the
market for speech technology by making L&H Voice Xpress 4 the speech solution of choice for a
large audience of SQL Server users and SQL Server developers.
L&H Voice Xpress 4: Recommended System Requirements, Pricing and Availability
L&H Voice Xpress products require a VGA or better monitor; a 16-bit soundcard from Creative®
Labs or other SoundBlaster®-compatible 16-bit Soundcard; a noise-canceling headset microphone
(included). No soundcard is required if using a USB microphone. Recommended system
requirements for L&H Voice Xpress Standard include processor performance equivalent to Intel®
Pentium® II, 48 MB RAM (Windows® 98/95), 64 MB RAM (Windows® NT 4.0); 160 MB hard
disk space; Recommended system requirements for L&H Voice Xpress Advanced are processor
performance equivalent to Intel Pentium II, with 64 MB RAM (Windows 98/95), 96 MB RAM
(Windows NT 4.0); 160 MB hard disk space; Recommended system requirements for L&H Voice
Xpress Professional are Processor performance equivalent to Intel Pentium II, with 96 MB RAM
(Windows 98/95), 128 MB RAM (Windows NT 4.0).
The estimated prices of L&H Voice Xpress Standard, L&H Voice Xpress Advanced, and L&H
Voice Xpress Professional are $49.99, $79.99 and $149.99, respectively. Each product includes
software on a CD-ROM, documentation, and a noise-canceling microphone. L&H Voice Xpress,
version 4 products are expected to be available in the coming weeks at over 3,500 retail locations in
North America, including but not limited to: Best Buy, CompUSA, Computer City, Fry's, Micro
Center, Office Depot, Office Max and Staples. English, Dutch, German Spanish and French
versions of the product are expected to be available in 1999. Interested parties can get additional
information by visiting the L&H Web site at www.lhsl.com or by calling 800-380-1234.
About Lernout & Hauspie
Lernout & Hauspie (L&H) is a global leader in advanced speech and language solutions for vertical
markets, computers, automobiles, telecommunications, embedded products, consumer goods and
the Internet. The company is making the speech user interface (SUI) the keystone of simple,
convenient interaction between humans and technology, and is using advanced translation technology
to break down language barriers. L&H's products and services originate in four basic areas:
automatic speech recognition (ASR), text-to-speech (TTS), digital speech and music compression
(SMC) and text-to-text (translation). For more information, please visit Lernout & Hauspie on the
World Wide Web at www.lhs.com or www.lhsl.com.
This press release contains forward-looking information. Such statements include, without limitation
but not limited to statements involving L&H's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions regarding
the introduction of the L&H Voice Xpress Version 4. There can be no assurance that actual results
will not be materially different than those anticipated in these forward-looking statements. Readers
are cautioned that such forward- looking statements involve risk and uncertainties, including, with
limitation, the risk that the company or one or more of the companies licensees will not successfully
complete the development of these products on a timely basis, if at all, that the technologies will not
perform as anticipated, and the general risks associated with the intense competition and rapid
technological change characteristic of the speech technology market. The forward-looking
statements are also subject to risks set forth in L&H's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. The forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date of this
Report. L&H expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or
revisions to any such statement to reflect any change in L&H's expectations or any change in events,
conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. All product names and
trademarks mentioned herein are trademarks of L&H, Microsoft or their respective owners.
Contact:
Lernout & Hauspie
Corporate Comm. US
Audrey Pobre, (781) 203-5341
apobre@lhs.com
or
Jim Williams, (781) 203-5103
jwilliams@lhs.com
More Quotes and News:
Lernout En Hauspie Speech Products (Nasdaq:LHSP - news)
Related News Categories: computers
Help
Copyright © 1999 Business Wire. All rights reserved. All the news releases provided by Business Wire are
copyrighted. Any forms of copying other than an individual user's personal reference without express written
permission is prohibited. Further distribution of these materials is strictly forbidden, including but not limited to,
posting, emailing, faxing, archiving ina public database, redistributing via a computer network or in a printed form.
See our Important Disclaimers and Legal Information.
Questions or Comments?
|
