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Technology Stocks : Voice recognition... is utter nonsense in computing -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: stak who wrote (38)	11/3/1998 1:23:00 AM
From: stak	Respond to of 112

True global wireless! MONTREAL, Nov. 2 /CNW/ - Iridium, the world's first truly global telephone company, launched commercial service on November 1. Thanks to Iridium's constellation of 66 low earth orbit satellites, Canadians and others around the world now have the ability to communicate anytime, anywhere using a handheld phone. ''The system is ready for business,'' said Maurice Rompré, president, Iridium Canada Communications Inc. ''After 11 years of design, development, implementation and testing, Canadians now have access to the ultimate mobile communications solution, with unprecedented freedom, convenience, flexibility and reliability.'' Through its distribution partners, Iridium Canada will initially offer both satellite voice service and calling card service. Iridium World Paging Service will be available in Canada on December 1 and cellular roaming services will be offered in January. According to Maurice Rompré, Canadian interest in the Iridium system has been strong. ''More than 100 organizations in Canada have committed to purchasing the Iridium system and staff are busy qualifying other prospective customers that have come forward through global marketing and advertising initiatives,'' he said. Iridium pricing will range from approximately $2.50/minute for calls within North America whereas the cost for calls to other regions will range from approximately $2/minute to $13/minute. The rate varies depending from where the call is placed and where it ends. The Iridium satellite phones, manufactured by Motorola and Kyocera, will retail for approximately $5,000, though actual pricing may vary depending on package deals and service offerings provided by Iridium's service providers. In Canada, Iridium service is provided through service providers and roaming partners such as Infosat Telecommunications, PageNet, Microcell and Mobility Canada. Iridium products are the first commercial products to carry the newly approved International Telecommunications Union GMPCS-MoU registry mark, intended to enable subscribers to carry Iridium products into, and out of, countries without restriction. This mark will enhance the company's ability to deliver on its promise to provide global communications services. More than 120 countries and territories have licensed the Iridium service, collectively accounting for more than 75 per cent of Iridium's anticipated market. Service availability is expected in as many as 200 countries by year end, representing 95 per cent of the business plan. Distribution agreements have been negotiated with more than 270 partners. These include some 165 service provider and 155 roaming partner agreements, providing Iridium access to more than 105 million wireless telephone subscribers in 125 countries. Iridium Canada has set up a 1-888-IRIDIUM information line to provide potential Iridium subscribers with further information and direct them to the appropriate service provider. Iridium Canada, formed in 1993 by BCE Mobile Communications, Bell Canada International and Motorola Canada Inc., is an investor in Iridium LLC, the global consortium that is developing and commercializing the $7.5 billion Iridium system. In Canada, service will be offered through Montreal-based Iridium Canada Communications Inc., which manages and operates Iridium services and markets them in partnership with service providers such as Infosat Telecommunications and PageNet and roaming partners such as Mobility Canada and Microcell.

To: stak who wrote (38)	11/3/1998 1:32:00 AM
From: stak	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 112

FURBY, You heard it here first. Geez what's next in toys??? I'm gonna smuggle some into the States!! <grin> FURBY : The Toy Phenom of '98 - Grand Toys to distribute hot new toy exclusively in Canada MONTREAL, Nov. 2 /CNW/ - After creating a buzz with its debut at this year's Toy Fair, ''Furby could be the first of an entire race of artificially intelligent special feature plush toys'', according to Wired Magazine (September, '98). Furby, the cuddly standalone animatronic pet, interacts with the environment through sight, touch, hearing and physical orientation. Each animated electronic plush toy is unique, intelligent and equipped with a singular personality and name. Furby can move and dance. Other motion includes eyes that open and close, ears that wiggle and a mouth that moves when speaking. Furby has its own language, ''Furbish'', but learns to speak English through positive reinforcement, Furbys communicate with each other via infrared signals, and can teach each other tricks and songs. They can also catch one another's colds. The electronics are fully integrated into each pet; no additional equipment or computer is required. Insert batteries and Furby is ready for play. When turned on for the first time, Furby will say his name. Although Furby will initially speak only Furbish, as with any intelligent being in a New World, he will begin to ''learn'' English and be able to communicate using English words. Furby has a vocabulary of nearly 200 Furbish and English words and sounds. In all Furby is able to ''say'' more than 800 phrases. Ultimately, Furby will use both Furbish and English to communicate. These toys, selling for around $40.00 each, will also seem to adapt to their environment so that they will not respond to any particular stimulus the same way twice. Toys like Furby, which exhibit rudimentary artificial intelligence, use technology that is increasingly invisible : no instruction manual is necessary. They're paving the way for the future and are distributed exclusively in Canada by Grand Toys. Grand Toys is Canada's leading independent distributor and marketer of innovative toys.

To: stak who wrote (38)	11/3/1998 1:44:00 AM
From: stak	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 112

"MIPPS" is that Conehead stuff. Are they from Remulak in the South of France? Anyway I could use wireless 3 MEGABYTES/sec. But for how much? MIPPSNet Online Inc. 1998 - Fractional 3MBps high speed wireless Internet access now available TORONTO, Nov. 2 /CNW/ - MIPPSNet Online Inc. (1998) (MNO) has once again delivered on its promise to continually provide new and innovative Internet solutions for the business customer: Fractional high speed wireless access. Until now, the only wireless generally available through MNO was a dedicated 3MBps wireless link. Due to overwhelming customer requests, MIPPSNet Online has now implemented its new service: AirT1+. This new leading edge service will provide business customers with a communications link that will still be faster than current T1 leased lines. AirT1+ is for the corporate client who does not require a full 3MBps Internet link but still wants a cost effective high speed internet access solution. The AirT1+ is extremely affordable and cost effective at almost 25% less expensive than current telco 512K leased line rates. As the only leading Wireless Internet Service Provider in the GTA and surrounding regions, MNO continues its aggressive service expansion. MNO features offerings such as unlimited online time, 250 e-mail accounts, provision of all necessary equipment and 24 x 7 services and support all included in the flat monthly rate. True plug and play simplicity. Testimonials from MNO clients illustrate a high level of satisfaction with the type and level of service they have been receiving. ''When we went shopping for a provider, we were looking for value. There is nothing else in the market place today that even comes close to the performance value of Internet services that we are receiving from MIPPSNet Online,'' says Irv Fisher, President of API Alarms. In its continuing efforts to provide advanced, industry leading Internet Access in a cost efficient manner, MNO is field testing a new 10MBps Internet access solution that it plans to offer in the very near future. MIPPS*Net Online Inc. (1998) was established in 1996 and is part of the multi million dollar MIPPS group of Companies. Through this affiliation, MNO is able to build upon years of Networking experience with top Fortune 500 clients, as well as enhanced customer service and 24 hr. on call technical support. For further information, you can visit their web site at mipps.net or e-mail info@mipps.net or call (905) 763-2222.

To: stak who wrote (38)	11/3/1998 4:42:00 AM
From: Savant	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 112

If I remember correctly NCII is working on one, check the thread, and their news releases within the last month, I believe they mention the name of the group working with voice apps. That's one, but I would think any voice app would help quite a lot. If there is a particular area you are interested in, let me know. I will watch for more. Best, Savant

To: stak who wrote (38)	11/3/1998 5:57:00 AM
From: Savant	Respond to of 112

ADAMLAB is a subsidiary of Wayne County, Michigan, Regional Educational Service Agency chartered to provide Voice Output Communication Aids (VOCAs) at very competitive prices. ADAMLAB puts VOCA devices into the financial reach of students who are severely challenged. Message 5866107 These folks would be able to direct you to other apps, I would think. Still looking, Savant