Dial Directions Delivers First Free Voice-Activated 'Directions' Service For All Cell Phones |
Beta Version Launches for the San Francisco Bay Area and the Greater Metro
Areas of New York City and Los Angeles
SAN FRANCISCO, July 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Dial Directions today introduced
the voice-activated phone service "DIR-ECT-IONS" (347-328-4667), which
enables any cell phone user to call and ask for directions to any address
or store destination. The free service asks callers for their start and
destination and instantly sends driving directions by text message.
This first of its kind service was built by a team of industry experts
in voice user interfaces, speech recognition, and navigation; their
breakthrough new work has created a user experience that's easy, quick, and
accurate.
"By dialing DIR-ECT-IONS, anybody can turn their cell phone into a
'free GPS'. Now you can get directions anytime by calling and asking -- no
downloads, special phone, or web plan." said Amit Desai, cofounder and
chief product officer of Dial Directions. "DIR-ECT-IONS opens up
location-based services to all cell phone users, the majority of whom want
something easier and more available than today's complicated 'smart'
phones."
The service has received enthusiastic consumer adoption in private
trials in the greater metro areas of the San Francisco Bay Area, New York
City, and Los Angeles. It plans to expand its coverage nationwide soon.
To date, mobile voice-activated search has been restricted almost
entirely to basic directory assistance, a $4.1 billion annual industry.
Opus Research, however, reports that by 2010 the market will expand beyond
411 services and grow to $7.2 billion, as people begin to demand more
functionality from their average cell phones.
"Dial Directions is today's best platform for voice-activated
location-based services. Our vision is to continue enabling all cell phone
users, and also offering unique mobile options to our online and industry
partners," said Desai. "DIR-ECT-IONS is the first to rollout
voice-activated directions and store locator services, and we'll be adding
more services in the coming months."
How it Works
Any cell phone user can dial DIR-ECT-IONS, which is 347-328-4667, and
say where they are and where they'd like to go -- the service understands
and texts back turn-by-turn directions. Users can give a specific
destination address or intersection ("DirectMe"), or just ask for the
closest location of any chain store, like Starbucks or Borders ("NearMe").
About Dial Directions
Dial Directions provides the industry's best platform for
voice-activated location-based services. Dial Directions' first of a kind
phone service "DIR-ECT-IONS" (347-328-4667) enables any cell phone user to
call and ask for directions to any address or store destination, and
receive directions by text message instantly. Now available in beta version
in the San Francisco Bay Area, New York, and Los Angeles metros, the free
service bridges the gap for consumers between the online and mobile worlds
for location-based services. The company is privately-funded and made up of
a team of industry experts in voice interfaces, speech recognition, and
navigation. For more information, visit http://www.dialdirections.com.
SOURCE Dial Directions
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CONTACT:
Michelle Sabolich of Atomic Public Relations,
+1-415-402-0230, michelle.sabolich@atomicpr.com, for Dial
Directions
