Microsoft released a test version of its new speech-recognition server software, hoping to stake a claim in the market for companies wanting to automate customer service and other functions. Elsewhere, Wading into a debate triggered by a recent Harvard Business Review article, Microsoft’s Paul Flessner says the proffered policy prescription won’t cure what’s really ailing the computer industry.
Microsoft Unveils New Speech Software; Why IT Still Matters
About The Author
Eugenia Loli
Ex-programmer, ex-editor in chief at OSNews.com, now a visual artist/filmmaker.
Follow me on Twitter @EugeniaLoli
“Q&A Microsoft’s Paul Flessner says companies don’t need to outsource to cope with complex technology. They need products that are easier to implement and administer.”
Sounds more like a ringing endorsement to use Apple’s Cumputers.
I remember this. When I first tried it on my old room-mate’s computer I had to train it for an hour only to have it work not much better than it did with the default profile.
Somehow while reading a passage from a magazine during our little test, it spat out the phrase “screaming sonic nazis” three times in a row for no apparent reason. Odd. After laughing for a good three minutes we promptly removed the software.
I think I’m still gonna have to wait for the release before I try it again…
And what makes you think that this is the same software?
Reading their web site
This newer version makes use of the .NET framework, but is largely the same. Evolutionary improvements from what I gathered.
As far as I remember, OS/2 Warp 4 already had speech recognition back in 1996… Well there weren’t many people to say it then, and I doubt anybody remebers that now…
So I think many will call that a revolution…
It might make computers easier to use if you don’t have to type all those commands, but you still have to remember all those commands.
IT will be around for a while. And who do you call to fix your broken speech software?
I think eventually these things will become so annoy nobody wants to use their computers anymore.
Remember when you could buy e-mail clients off the shelves?
Well, soon, when you go to your local CompUSA, you can kiss Dragon and IBM speech software good-bye.
M$ continues to starve the SW market, no wonder people are now doing Apps for free under GPL, there is almost no profit for anyone but M$. Sigh.
Its a basic MS business tactic. “Bundling is the first step towards integration” means release the API, get someone to produce a really nice application, FUD them to death, buy them cheap, and integrate the software into the OS. Presto, no development costs, no maintenance costs. And the competition just conviently disappeared. Add another head on the monopoly beast.
And sites like Osnews are just copying other news sistes without checking it value..nice for the marketing!
First announce a hype, then every (copy)news site spreads it, developers/users a eager to try etc..ah marketing..