Voice Command Allows Pocket PC Devices to Obey Spoken Commands

Microsoft has released Voice Command for Pocket PC 2003 devices. This allows users to control common functions such as the Media Player and the program launcher with simple spoken commands.

Features include the ability to dial contacts by saying "Call Bob Smith" or request that a certain phone number be dialed. Voice Command uses phonetic speech recognition technology, which allows natural language to be used instead of requring particular learned word sequences.

This software offers the ability to use a Pocket PC smartphone as a completely hands-free phone, as well as voice-controlled calendar lookup that allows the user to get a listing of the day's appointments by issuing a simple command. Windows Media Player and the application launcher can also be controlled by voice commands, allowing the user's voice to serve as a virtual remote control for their digital music player and to launch applications by name.

Voice Command is intended to make using a Pocket PC easier and safer, especially while driving or in the car.

The application is currently available for $39.95 from Handango and PocketPC.com. A Windows Mobile 2003 device is required, as well as ActiveSync 3.7 and Windows 98, 2000, or XP on a desktop computer.

For more information, visit the Microsoft web site.

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