Microsoft’s Voice Command software ($39.99), is now available to consumers at retail outlets, marking the first time the company is offering stand-alone Pocket PC software on store shelves.
Voice Command lets you access contacts, phone, calendar, media player and more with voice — no training required, claims Microsoft.
“Voice Command is a great add-on to your Pocket PC or Pocket PC Phone Edition,” said Matthew Miller, at PDAGeek.com. “The ability to control a Pocket PC’s key features with reliable voice-recognition software significantly extends the value of the device by making it useful in a greater variety of on-the-go scenarios.”
Microsoft is responding to increased consumer demand for Voice Command, formerly only available through online retailer Handango, by offering the software through retail stores.
A new Entertainment PocketPak ($29.99), is also available. It features 10 popular Pocket PC game titles including blackjack, chess, “Cinco,” “FreeCell,” hearts, “Minesweeper,” “Reversi,” “Sink the Ships,” “Space Defense” and “Taipei.”
Voice Command and the Entertainment PocketPak will work with T-Mobile’s new iPAQ h6315 Pocket PC Phone, the first handheld to combine calling, Internet and Wi-Fi all in one. It can automatically switch between built-in T-Mobile wireless technologies, finding the best-available signal.
Microsoft has a list of Windows Mobile-compatible devices.
NPR tested Voice Command on the BMWi 7 Series using an earlier version Voice Command.
It needed a little work.
Daily Wireless has more on text to speech translation products, natural language input, internet kiosks, talking books and Lip Reading Computers.
