Mobile Voice Search Product to Ship Embedded in Phones from Top Tier OEMs
Worldwide
BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- INFONXX, the world's premier
provider of directory enquiry and enhanced information services, and
VoiceSignal, the global leader in mobile voice technology solutions,
announced today "VSearch", the world's first embedded handset-server
application that offers to carriers the choice of automated voice enabled
directory enquiries and local search by either specific listing or category
keywords. VoiceSignal will provide the speech recognition and application
software and INFONXX will provide content and search support. The product
will deliver to consumers a wide range of innovative information services
including access to traffic, weather information, cinema times, stock
quotes, horoscopes and sports scores. These information services and the
delivery of mapping technology are an attractive play for advertisers
targeting mobile delivery, enabling the opportunity for free delivery of
VSearch to consumers. The technology will be embedded into mass market
handsets made by the world's leading OEMs, with Samsung Electronics
positioned to be first to market in Europe with the revolutionary new
platform. The platform will enable voice searching for mobile content such
as ringtones, wallpapers, and games, and will allow mobile operators to
provide additional content and applications. VSearch will be ad- supported
and thus free to the end user, but requires an applicable mobile data
service plan.
How VSearch Works
VSearch is activated via a button on the handset and prompts the user
to speak the location and name or category of a business. The system sends
the processed audio information to the VSearch server via the mobile data
network where the user's query is converted into text by the VSearch speech
recognition engine or a highly trained INFONXX directory enquiry operator.
This unique combination aims to offer the highest accuracy and reliability
in all environments for the consumer. The requested listings along with
relevant, interactive advertisements are sent to the device and displayed
on the screen. The user can review the information, place a call to the
business, and get a map of its location and more.
VSearch Availability
VSearch will be embedded into mass market mobile phones manufactured by
VoiceSignal's strategic partners starting in the second half of 2007. The
specific handset models, OEMs and supported carrier networks will be
announced in mid 2007. In March of 2007 a free downloadable version of
VSearch for Nokia Series 60 devices will be available through http://www.118.com
and http://www.voicesignal.com.
VSearch Changes the Mobile Paradigm
In making this announcement, Daniel Roth, VoiceSignal's Co-Founder and
President said, "There is no easier way to get local information from your
phone, VSearch changes the game. We are extremely excited to be partnering
with industry leader INFONXX to bring this ad-supported, free product to
consumers."
Robert Pines, CEO of INFONXX, commented, "With a billion calls made
each year to our US and European directory assistance services, including
market leaders 118 118 in the UK, 118 218 in France and 18 18 in
Switzerland, it is clear that people are looking for easy, voice driven
access to an even widening range of useful and helpful information. VSearch
brings a new dimension by enabling people to use a technology platform with
a familiar voice interface for rich, interactive information and
unobtrusive and highly relevant advertisements."
About VoiceSignal:
VoiceSignal is the global leader in mobile voice technology. Since 2002
more than 110 million copies of its software in 21 languages have shipped
embedded in devices from the world's top handset manufacturers.
VoiceSignal's unique architecture is compatible with the entire range of
mobile devices, from entry-level to enterprise-class devices and smart
phones. VoiceSignal solutions are preferred by the largest global handset
brands and specified by major operators worldwide. Additional information
about the company is available at http://www.voicesignal.com.
About INFONXX:
INFONXX is the world's premier provider of voice directory transaction
services, answering over 1 billion calls a year from consumers worldwide
and helping telecommunications customers increase revenue and improve
customer satisfaction. INFONXX solutions enable telecommunications
customers to increase revenue, improve customer satisfaction, extend their
brand, provide personalized content, and reduce churn. INFONXX operates the
most reliable speech recognition and network architecture in the industry
and provides innovative, industry-leading products and services including
411 Plus enhanced directory assistance; TeleMas(SM) Spanish-language
services; Text Direct(SM), the industry's first 2-Way SMS directory
assistance listings in the United States; and txt//ad in the United
Kingdom, an innovative Pay-Per-Text ad channel enabling advertisers to
reach potential customers via SMS. INFONXX is the parent company of
significant consumer voice directory services companies including The
Number (UK), Le Numero (France), Die Nummer (Switzerland) and Il Numero
(Italy), Conduit (Ireland), as well as Excell Services (North America). For
more information, please visit http://www.INFONXX.com
SOURCE VoiceSignal
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Related links:
http://www.voicesignal.com
http://www.118.com http://www.INFONXX.com
CONTACT:
Mira Genser of VoiceSignal, +1-781-970-5223,
or mgenser@voicesignal.com; or Josh Van Raalte, +44-1865-725-269,
or josh@brazilagency.com, for INFONXX
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