To: Kurthend who wrote (7409 ) 12/5/1999 9:15:00 PM From: Kurthend Read Replies (1) | Respond to
An interesting article concerning accessing the internet. I guess the big question is whether or not a simple TTS or ASR engine will suffice or will a true VUI (similar to GMGC's technology) be needed.wirelessweek.com However, data applications are being pursued, especially wireless access to the Internet. Several data applications have been developed over the last few years, but in each case they have failed to gain large market acceptance?usually because of the lack of a convenient user interface. Names such as Newton and the Simon phone and pen-based tablets are a few examples of early attempts to bring text-based data to the mobile environment. More recently, Nokia and Palm Computing announced a joint development and licensing agreement to create a new pen-based product category. Using a pen-based interface (which requires two-handed operation) will limit its application in a mobile environment. This lack of ease in using the text-based interface hinders user acceptance. Several attendees at Telecom 99 commented on the small displays on mobile Internet screens. Thus, displaying a few lines of text on a small screen is a major obstacle to user acceptance on a broad scale. Over the last several years, it has been apparent that e-mail is the most popular Internet activity. It is the ?killer app.? Moreover, according to The Gartner Group, the number of e-mail messages will grow at a rate of more than 35 percent per year through 2002. This burgeoning e-mail marketplace is not being translated into the mobile arena. Inconvenient user interfaces, coupled with the poor display of a few lines of text on small screens, impedes the development of a large mobile Internet market. Voice-activated access to the Internet holds the key to unlocking this vast potential market. Voice-recognition technology opens the possibility of not only accessing e-mail but also developing voice portals to deliver the full potential of the Internet. At the onset, an enhanced voice user interface will provide access to all information in an easy and convenient form anyplace at any time. Using their normal wireless or wireline phone, a simple call would deliver password-protected voice access to an individual?s e-mail. Text-to-voice translation equipment and software would provide simple and familiar access to the e-mail and a simple way to respond to messages.
