Here is the story. It's good to know I didn't dream the Nuance investment. Product features are nebulous. But, the fact that they are integrating two key components (Starfish and Nuance technology) that GMGC has, makes them a potentially strong competitor.
Their focus is on Telcos/ISP's only it seems, which means the Telcos would have to build the NOC. And, it sounds like they won't even start beta trials until the end of this year - though there were no carrier announcements.
Without more specific info, it's hard to know what advantages GMGC has over MOT. GMGC's claim is their patented VUI and agent technology. Doesn't mean MOT can't develop something just as good though.
The main positive here, is that it validates the business. And, I'm glad GMGC chose resellers first. They have a distinct time advantage.
Motorola Creates New Division To Focus on Integrated Information and
Communication Services for Consumers
(Business Wire 08/04 06:17:00)
Business Editors, Technology Writers
NAPERVILLE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 4, 1998--
Start-Up Division's First Offering is a Speech-Enabled
Communications Service that Supports Customized Applications
Motorola, Inc. announced today the formation of its Internet and
Connectivity Services Division (ICSD), a new start-up services
business focused on developing and providing integrated communication
and information services that will simplify consumers' lives.
Motorola's ICSD is part of the Internet and Networking Group within
Motorola's new Communications Enterprise organization, which was
recently announced by Merle L. Gilmore, president of the
Communications Enterprise.
Motorola ICSD will focus on developing solutions -- as well as
enabling third parties to develop solutions -- that simplify
consumers' communications, including speech-enabled services,
web-based services, content services, in-vehicle services and paging
information services. The creation of ICSD underscores the company's
commitment to creating mobile productivity solutions as well as
helping its carrier partners serve new markets and offer innovative
services.
"Through ICSD, we are developing a services platform that will
help simplify individuals' lifestyles and increase their personal
productivity while solving their complex communication needs," said
Maria Martinez, Motorola ICSD general manager and vice president. "By
tapping into this multibillion dollar market, Motorola is repeating
its history of identifying and solving consumer problems by forging
into new markets the company will help to define."
The U.S. market size for speech-enabled mobile productivity
services will be $3.4 billion by 2003, according to research compiled
from IDC, The McKenna Group, BRG and Motorola. Motorola's commitment
to this market is apparent with its recent acquisition of Starfish
Software, Inc., a maker of technology that synchronizes data among
communications devices, as well as significant investments in Nuance
Communications, a supplier of speech recognition technology for
transaction and network applications.
"Motorola's leadership in advancing the technology that frees
consumers to communicate while being mobile has helped lead to an
abundance of communications networks and devices," said Martinez. "We
are now focusing on ways to simplify communications across multiple
devices from any location through the introduction of new
network-based carrier-class services."
First ICSD Service Offering
The first value-added offering that ICSD will trial later this
year is a speech-enabled service code-named Myosphere, or "my world."
Myosphere will help people manage and control their wireless and
wireline communications from a single point of access using natural
voice commands. The service will enable telephony and ISP carriers to
provide their customers innovative value-added services.
Myosphere is a unique turnkey service solution for carriers, as
Motorola will provide value-added programs that include full marketing
and sales support, customer care solutions, integrated billing and
other back-office solutions. Myosphere's scalable, standard-based
platform allows carriers seamless and expedient integration of the
service into their current infrastructure. This platform-based network
architecture will also enable software developers to build new
applications on top of the platform as the market evolves and becomes
more sophisticated. Motorola is actively working with carriers to
trial Myosphere.
Motorola based its development of Myosphere on survey results
from more than 1,500 business cell phone users and feedback from
multiple focus groups. The research showed that participants would pay
for a service such as Myosphere if it provided faster and easier
solutions to everyday communication activities. Feeling too connected,
they do not want complex ways for people to reach them. Rather, a
simple, easy-to-use service that allows them to control their
communications via simple voice commands would be of value.
Internet and Connectivity Services Division, a unit of the
Internet and Networking Group managed by Senior Vice President Randy
Battat, develops and markets value-added solutions to simplify
consumers' lives by integrating communications for connectivity and
access to people, information and services. Motorola is one of the
world's leading providers of wireless communications, semiconductors,
and advanced electronic systems, components, and services. Major
equipment businesses include paging and data communications, cellular
telephone, two-way radio, personal communications, automotive, defense
and space electronics and computers. Motorola semiconductors power
communication devices, computers and millions of other products.
Motorola's 1997 sales were $29.8 billion. For further information,
please visit Motorola's World Wide Web site at
motorola.com.
--30--ym/cgo*
CONTACT: Motorola ICSD
Colleen Verbiscer, 630/305-4641
QA4548@email.mot.com
or
PR 21
Rowan Benecke, 312/240-2611
rbenecke@edelman.com
KEYWORD: ILLINOIS
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMED COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS
INTERACTIVE/MULTIMEDIA/INTERNET
Today's News On The Net - Business Wire's full file on the Internet
with Hyperlinks to your home page.
URL: businesswire.com
S.BW MOT MTRL MOT. J6686
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