PC Users Benefit from Increased Performance and Ease of Use SAN JOSE, CA, February 17, 1999 IBM recently announced its new ViaVoice tools version 1.5 and software runtimes are optimized for the IntelŪ PentiumŪ III processor. The combination of Intel's new processor power combined with IBM's world-class speech technology will provide users with a high-performance speech recognition solution for desktop, enterprise and mobile applications. "Speech technology is the next important user interface and customers are demanding high performance, natural and intuitive solutions," said Patricia McHugh, director of new business development, IBM Speech Systems. "By working with Intel, IBM has designed speech recognition solutions that utilize processor power effectively and deliver industry-leading levels of performance and usability for ViaVoice customers." "With the release of its new tools and runtimes, IBM's ViaVoice is one of the first speech technologies to be optimized for the Pentium III processor," said Rob Sullivan, director of new technologies/businesses for Intel. "Intel is pleased to be working with IBM and to be able to offer developers access to leading-edge speech technology platforms." IBM intends to incorporate the new optimized technology into its speech product offerings. Future versions of IBM's best-selling speech recognition software, ViaVoice, and Lotus SmartSuite Millennium Edition will support the Pentium III processor platform. In addition, IBM's speech software developer kit (SDK) will enable independent software vendors (ISVs) to create the first speech-enabled applications that take advantage of these powerful Intel processors. Available today, ViaVoice SDK V1.5 is Microsoft SAPI 4.0 compliant. In Q199, IBM will extend the ViaVoice SDK to include speaker identification and verification tools so developers have the technology for building standardized e-commerce and transaction-based applications. Working With Intel IBM is working with Intel to ensure that speech recognition is a universal interface for future software applications, devices and communications infrastructures. In addition to providing developers with optimized tools to create applications for the Pentium III processor, IBM is committed to the global adoption of speech-enabled technologies. IBM participated in Intel's recent speech forum in China to demonstrate its commitment to the emerging technology marketplace. Also, IBM participates in industry organizations to help promote the evolution of standardized technologies that are natural, intuitive and effective for users. For example, IBM, as well as Intel and other companies, participated in an industry group to set audio input standards for the PC '99 specification to ensure that audio quality will adequately address speech recognition requirements. "For more information on the Katmai Preview Day, please visit Intel Corporation's virtual press kit." About IBM IBM set the standard for speech recognition software when it launched the VoiceType family of products and expanded this standard in 1997 with the introduction of its ViaVoice family of products. With more than 25 years of research in the field and approximately 100 patents in speech technology, the company has built a team of speech recognition specialists worldwide, dedicated to the development, support, marketing, and sale of IBM speech solutions in many languages. For more information about IBM Speech Systems, visit the World Wide Web at http://www.ibm.com/viavoice. # # #
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