Speech Technologies

The Only Way Google can be Successful in Consumer Electronics

February 10, 2012

Yesterday I detailed how Google IS the tech news of the day and folks, this search leader is ambitious – more so than Microsoft ever was. In addition to a Dropbox killer and massive Google+ growth I outlined in this recent post, the company is also getting into the home entertainment business through its Motorola Mobility acquisition. Specifically Google will release a self-branded line of consumer electronics allowing you to stream music throughout your home.

Google already has a cloud-based music service so obviously there is synergy there but the only way I see this strategy working is by Google doing things differently.

My loyal readers know I am a fan of Sonos – they sell an in-home audio streaming service which integrates with Slacker, Pandora, Sirius/XM, Spotify and even integrates with iOS devices and iTunes libraries stored on computers. In-short, you have access to all your music and favorite radio from any room.

Posted in 4G, Amazon, Android, Apple, Blackberry, Broadband, Consumer Electronics, FCC, Facebook, Gadget, Google, HD Voice, Microsoft, Social Networking, Speech Technologies, Technology, Twitter, Wireless

Need a New Car? Win a Mustang at ITEXPO in Miami Next Week

January 27, 2012

I think I may have one of the best jobs in the world. I admit it is a bit ADHD-inducing as I get involved in lots of areas from new media to the latest technologies in the market as I run this major media company which is TMC. Not only do I get help influence tens of millions of people online I also get to host live events where I meet many of the readers who frequent my blog and TMCnet - the main web portal of TMC where I am CEO.

But the most exciting part of my job comes twice a year when I give away a car to an unsuspecting attendee at ITEXPO. Next week - Friday Feb 3rd at 1:45 pm at the Miami Beach Convention Center, I get to give the next car away and it will be a Ford Mustang.

Posted in 4G, 4GWE, AT&T, Amazon, Android, Apple, Avaya, Blackberry, Broadband, CRM, Call Center, Cisco, Cloud Computing, Communications Developer, Conference, Conferencing, Consumer Electronics, E-Commerce, FCC, Fax, HD Voice, IP Communications, ITEXPO, M2M, MSP, Microsoft, Open Source, SIP, Skype, Speech Technologies, Super WiFi, TMC Team, Technology, Unified Communications, Verizon, Video, VoIP, Wireless

ITEXPO East 2012 Miami Schedule

January 25, 2012

One of the most frequent question I get regarding TMC’s ITEXPO which takes place next week in Miami – is with all that is going on – how do you make a decision as to which parts of the show to attend. Truth be told I believe the event and its collocated conferences and educational sessions rivals just about any other tech show in terms of education.

Some of the hot topics to be discussed include not only general communications and technology but 4G wireless, mobility, Asterisk, open source, business video, the channel, cloud computing and communications, HTML5, Mobile Latin America communications, M2M, technology patents, the MSP market, Super WiFi/white spaces and much more.

The following is a list of important details you will need to help navigate ITEXPO East 2012 Miami. I warn you – this is a subset of what is happening. To keep you posted on not only these items but other important events at the show please follow @itexpo on Twitter and turn on mobile notifications – it is pretty simple – just follow the menu below.

Posted in 4G, Avaya, Blackberry, Broadband, Call Center, Cisco, Cloud Computing, Communications Developer, FCC, Google, IP Communications, ITEXPO, M2M, SIP, SaaS, Skype, Speech Technologies, Super WiFi, Technology, Twitter, Video, VoIP, Wireless

Is That a Personal Assistant in Your Ear?

January 4, 2012

I really like loud music and while I believe my hearing is good now, I imagine at some point in the future the collective damage of music played on various gadgets coupled with concerts by the likes of Ozzy Osbourne, Def Leppard, Rush, The Police, Joan Jett and others have done some damage which I will have to overcome with – I can’t bring myself to write it… A hearing aid. Ouch… Does that hurt. Did I mention I refuse to acknowledge the aging process is taking place?

So I have this hope that if the time comes when – ehhh, what did you say??? – I may need one of these devices, they will be considered normal… Everyone will be wearing them.

Well it seems like we may be headed in that direction as Panasonic has its new R1-W digital hearing instrument which the company says is designed to fit discreetly behind the ear. But what caught my attention was the device’s ability to record up to five 2-minute and 40-second recorded files for voice memos, phone numbers, etc.

Moreover it comes with a Hearing Hub, a device which allows you to manage the hearing aid so as to connect it to your TV audio or your cellphone via bluetooth.

Posted in Consumer Electronics, Gadget, Speech Technologies, Technology, Wireless

Quad-Core Galaxy S III Rumored to be at MWC

December 29, 2011

It isn't like quad-core smartphones are unexpected but it is still amazing that the power of four processors can be sandwiched between thin pieces of glass - communicating over 4G networks and doing what a supercomputer of just over a decade or so ago could do.

This past November I wrote a piece equating the absolutely ferocious pace of advancements in the Android space to the same situation back in the eighties where the PC slaughtered Apple in the price/performance wars. The core of my argument was the Samsung Galaxy S II a sleek smartphone sporting a dual core 1.5 GHz processor, 4G and a 4.5 inch Super AMOLED Plus display. It is a brilliant device and immediately gave me Android envy. The story which is repeating itself is an entire industry will be competing, coming out with faster and better devices while Apple will have fewer product rollouts.

Posted in 4G, AT&T, Android, Apple, Broadband, Consumer Electronics, Gadget, Google, Speech Technologies, Technology, Unified Communications, Verizon, Wireless, iPad

Avaya's Top Communication Trends in 2012

December 16, 2011

Recently I had a chance to have an in-depth conversation with Avaya about the trends they see for 2012 in the communications space. In particular I spoke with George Humphrey a Director and Line of Business Owner at Avaya and Diane Royer, Senior Marketing Services Manager.

The trends below are at times augmented or enhanced with my thoughts.

1) Mobility raises the expectation of availability

Voice is morphing in the enterprise and becoming more consumer-driven and as a result everyone is connected at all times and moreover everyone wants immediate action. Consumers want to know right away if that widget on the website is compatible with European power or if the red color of the lamp online is closer to burgundy, beet or pomegranate.

Consumers are walking around with smartphones today that are the computing equivalent of supercomputers of a few decades back. This means we not only can do anything anywhere from a voice and data perspective, we will need to in order to maintain our customers and jobs.

Posted in 4G, AT&T, Amazon, Android, Apple, Avaya, Blackberry, Broadband, CRM, Call Center, Cisco, Cloud Computing, Communications Developer, Conference, Consumer Electronics, FCC, Facebook, Financial, Gadget, Google, IP Communications, ITEXPO, Microsoft, SIP, Speech Technologies, Technology, Twitter, Unified Communications, Video, Virtual Worlds, VoIP, Wireless, iPad

Google Currents Crashes Newsreader Party

December 9, 2011

Flipboard calls itself the pocket-sized social magazine and this is an apt description for a social newsreader so popular that this week when it launched an iPhone edition, it was overwhelmed with traffic and crashed. Obviously there is tremendous interest in this category which explains why in April of this year the company raised $50M at a $200M valuation.

Another player in the space Yahoo! has Livestand, an app which has improved over the months but still has a somewhat non-intuitive user interface. And there is Zite… Acquired by CNN this past August, this app is more like Flipboard with a solid UI and available on the iPhone this week as well.

As with any emerging space, Google often throws its hat in. And thus, this week Google Currents was launched and it is a solid entry into a crowded space.

Posted in Amazon, Android, Apple, Broadband, Consumer Electronics, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Social Networking, Speech Technologies, Technology, Twitter, Yahoo

Mood Detection Software Coming

November 29, 2011

If you haven't subscribed to TMC's week-daily Techfast newsletter fusing together the best of the day's early morning tech news and a recipe of the day, you might want to check it out.

Reading it today I learned about new software which detects your mood through voice analysis as well as challenges Groupon is facing with its stock price and the fact that 150 counterfeit websites were seized on Cyber Monday. Hope I didn't shop on one of them accidentally.

Additional resources:
Today's issue Subscribe

Posted in Consumer Electronics, E-Commerce, Security, Speech Technologies, Technology

I Use Google and You Siri are no Google Killer

November 14, 2011

I worry more it will kill the public’s interest in speech rec

I have been reading with great interest all of the back and forth chatter on the web regarding Apple’s Siri and its merit as a Google killer and as I read these articles I wonder if many of the people writing these stories have followed the speech technology space these past decades. In 2000, I ran a show called Communications Solutions and on stage I did a live demo of General Magic’s Portico calling it a killer app – the next big thing. It was incredible to me and it worked pretty similarly to Siri. Sure, Apple’s speech rec “wizard” Siri has enhanced functionality allowing you to do information searches but in a decade you would expect such advancements, right?

But one has to wonder why is Siri the Google killer and why now? After all, those of us in the tech space in the mid-nineties remember voice recognition phenomena Wildfire, one of the hottest pre-Internet startups that flamed out as spectacularly as it launched.

These general purpose speech technology companies seem to be the fastest rising and falling companies I’ve seen in just about any industry.

The point is voice rec and associated technology has been around for decades in call centers where the technology can save a company millions and in many cases hundreds of millions of dollars per year.

Posted in 4G, AT&T, Apple, Broadband, Cloud Computing, Consumer Electronics, Gadget, Google, Networking, Social Networking, Speech Technologies, Technology, Unified Communications, Verizon, VoIP, Wireless

iPhone 4S Review with Help from Duran Duran

October 27, 2011

Two days ago I happened upon a new iPhone 4S as a replacement for my current 4 model. On the same day, I had an opportunity to go to Madison Square Garden and watch a Duran Duran concert where I was able to put this state of the art phone through its paces. I found it ironic that Simon Le Bon, the lead singer of the group said he was first in the Garden 30 years ago – and that was around the time I was introduced to PCs and programming in general. Now, here I was using the new phone as a camera in what has to be one of the harshest environments ever in which to shoot photos and videos.

Posted in 4G, AT&T, Apple, Broadband, Cloud Computing, FCC, IP Communications, Speech Technologies, Super WiFi, Technology, Verizon, Video, Wireless

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