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Technology Stocks : Compaq -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Andreas who wrote (90541)	3/30/2001 10:58:24 PM
From: Captain Jack	Respond to of 97611

Andreas-- ya gotta admit the avg IQ at the zoo is probably in the single digits. That alone is almost (but not quite) enough reason to go there for laughs. Most of those there are very easy to agitate--- some of those there will bite at anything..

To: Andreas who wrote (90541)	3/31/2001 10:51:03 PM
From: Elwood P. Dowd	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 97611

Wireless Hears Call of Voice Recognition Software Saturday March 31 5:45 PM ET Wireless Hears Call of Voice Recognition Software By Cyntia Barrera Diaz NEW YORK (Reuters) - Buying or dumping stocks while driving to a ski resort? Looking for a map to guide you to the nearest diner on your first visit to a new city? With just one voice command on your cellphone? The next generation of wireless infrastructure based on voice recognition will bring more user-friendly applications to every-day devices like cellphones and handheld computers on what many are already dubbing the next Internet-like revolution. ``All these devices (and) there's one clear problem: There's no room for a keyboard in them,'' said Michael Phillips, chief technology officer and co-founder of SpeechWorks International Inc. (NasdaqNM:SPWX - news), a leading maker of voice-recognition software, in a recent interview with Reuters. ``Speech as an output and input modality makes a lot of sense. The key is to use speech in conjunction with other modalities at the same time: Speak and get a map, for example,'' he said. The Spoken Web Speechworks, with funding from the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), responsible for the development of the principles of the Internet, has been working on the research of speech-based multimodal access to content on wireless devices over the last six months, Phillips said. The company is currently working with Compaq Computer Corp. (NYSE:CPQ - news), the No. 1 PC maker, on how to extend the capabilities of its iPAQ pocket PC. SpeechWorks has also joined efforts with Auvo Technologies and LOBBY7, both developers of software for wireless Internet access. ``Before there's a widespread commercial adoption (of the new technology) there may be commercial applications in more limited areas, like a telematics device in a car,'' Phillips said referring to the integration of in-car computer services with satellite navigation and mobile phone networks. ``This new generation of wireless devices is going to start to increase the interest and demand for speech as an interphase,'' or communication vehicle between the user and his or her PDA or cellphone, he added. SpeechWorks is not alone in the race for developing the fastest and easiest-to-use voice-operated technology that runs over Internet-protocol. Putting Voice Everywhere Rival Nuance Communications Inc. (NasdaqNM:NUAN - news) is also developing new applications that will help companies get tighter control of internal and external communications, as well as to reduce costs. Last week, Nuance announced an agreement with Cisco Systems Inc. (NasdaqNM:CSCO - news) that will incorporate its software into the networking giant's AVVID products, expected to launch in the second quarter of 2001. AVVID -- short for architecture for voice, video and integrated data -- provides companies with software for Internet telephony, and network security control and management. ``Think about the implications from the enterprise perspective -- dial by voice, access voice mail without having to touchstone, have access to portal services,'' said Steve Ehrlich, Nuance's vice president of marketing. ``The speech recognition market is where the Internet was maybe 12 years ago,'' he said. ``The growth potential is really significant: at the minimum, what you are trying to do is to replace every touchstone system out there.'' Soft Economy Tones Down Impact Despite the promising future of this sophisticated technology, analysts said it may be a while before this has a strong impact on SpeechWorks and Nuance results, given the U.S. economic slowdown that is leading technology companies to delay investment decisions. ``Over time, voice will get layered by almost everything that touches the Internet,'' said John Corcoran, an analyst with CIBC World Markets. ``But in this economic environment ... business is under pressure and the picture is uncertain.'' Nuance shares have recently been battered on the market. Losses were particularly heavy two weeks ago after the Menlo Park, Calif-based company warned of disappointing first-quarter earnings. On March 16, Nuance set a fresh year-low, dragging SpeechWorks lower in its fall. ``If it's raining, everyone gets a little wet,'' Corcoran said. ''At the end of the day (voice-recognition wireless access) will gain significant penetration. It's just that, with the economy slowing, that adoption curve will take longer.''