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The future of voice recognition on Windows Mobile devices

Many feel that robust voice recognition will provide the key to broad acceptance of smart mobile devices by eliminating the hassles of input on these tiny handhelds. Microsoft recently announced their new Voice Command product for the Pocket PC. This first group of questions relates to that product.

 

Q: Please describe Microsoft’s new Voice Command product.

 A: Voice Command is Microsoft’s first voice-controlled software that allows Windows Mobile 2003-based Pocket PC or Pocket PC Phone Edition users to experience voice interaction with Phone, Contacts, Calendar, Windows Media Player, and other applications. Key features include:

Advanced voice technology. Voice Command recognizes what the user is saying without any training, which results in effortless, hands-free communication.

Voice-controlled hands-free phone. People can enjoy true hands-free phone conversations in which they never have to dial a number. They can simply say any name from their contact list—for example, “Call Mom”—or any number—for example, “Dial 555-1212.”

Voice-controlled Calendar lookup. People can simply ask their Pocket PCs about their next appointment to have the time, subject, and location read aloud.

Voice-controlled Windows Media Player. Voice commands can be used to select and play music by the name of the artist or album, or by genre, so people won’t need to fumble for CDs or scroll through a long list of songs.

Voice-controlled application launcher. Users can open Pocket PC applications with ease, using voice commands to launch any application under the Start menu.

: How much storage space does it take?

A: Voice Command for 2003 Pocket PCs and Pocket PC Phone Editions requires just 3 MB of storage.

Q: Will it be built into future Windows Mobile devices?

A: Currently, Microsoft does not have plans to implement this product as a standard part of the OS. Microsoft felt it was important to allow consumers to decide if the product is right for them.

Q: How and where does one purchase it, and what is the cost?

A: Voice Command will be available for download through Handango.com, and the MSRP is $39.95.

 

Q: How strong is Microsoft’s new Voice Command product?

A: Voice Command uses Microsoft’s next-generation phonetic voice-recognition technology, the result of 10 years of research, to make speech interaction simple, intuitive, and practical. While most voice-controlled applications today require people to deliver unnatural, scripted verbal commands, Voice Command allows them to use natural language. Voice Command provides a significant improvement in speech software, dramatically changing the way people can use their mobile devices.

Upgrading to Windows Mobile 2003

By far, most of the questions Pocket PC magazine receives from both current and potential owners concern the upgradeability of Windows Mobile devices. The following are two such questions:

Q: Which, if any, of the Windows Mobile 2002 Smartphones will be upgradeable?

A: As of November 2003, no specific announcements have been made about upgrades to Windows Mobile Smartphones. However, any Windows Mobile 2002-based device can be updated from a technical/software standpoint. Availability of a software upgrade for a specific model is up to the manufacturer. For varying reasons, some manufacturers may decide not to offer upgrades for all phones in all languages. Device owners should check the Microsoft Web site (http://www.microsoft.com) for the most current information.

Q: What are the upgrade options for Pocket PC 2002 devices?