X

College student wins XML contest

IBM announced on Monday the winner of its "Cool Blue VoiceXML Challenge." VoiceXML is a new Extensible Markup Language standard for using voice to browse online information. Brent Metz, a 21-year-old originally from Fairfax, Va., and a student at Virginia Tech University, won the $25,000 grand prize for his creation of a nutrition planning application that helps people plan their diets by phone. Wei Wang, who won first prize, is a post-graduate student at Leeds Metropolitan University. He created an astrology application using original sounds and voice prompts. People answer voice prompts to hear about their Chinese, Eastern or Western sign and to receive advice on their Zodiac sign. Wang won a trip for two to a final championship sports game.

Natalie Weinstein Former Senior Editor / News
I spent a decade as a reporter and editor before joining the CNET News staff as a copy editor in 2000, right before the dot-com bust.
Expertise Copy editing. Curating, editing and reading newsletters of all stripes. Playing any word-related game, specifically Scrabble, Wordle and Boggle. Credentials
  • I've been a journalist for more than three decades. I was a finalist in the 2021 Digiday Media Award for Best Newsletter.
See full bio
Natalie Weinstein
IBM announced on Monday the winner of its "Cool Blue VoiceXML Challenge." VoiceXML is a new Extensible Markup Language standard for using voice to browse online information. Brent Metz, a 21-year-old originally from Fairfax, Va., and a student at Virginia Tech University, won the $25,000 grand prize for his creation of a nutrition planning application that helps people plan their diets by phone.

Wei Wang, who won first prize, is a post-graduate student at Leeds Metropolitan University. He created an astrology application using original sounds and voice prompts. People answer voice prompts to hear about their Chinese, Eastern or Western sign and to receive advice on their Zodiac sign. Wang won a trip for two to a final championship sports game.