Motorola to unveil phone-Net link
The firm will introduce a new technology to let people use phones and simple voice commands to get information from the Net.
The Schaumberg, Illinois-based electronics company hopes to make a new programming language, called VoxML, an industry standard that other companies will also use to write voice-activated software for pulling content from the World Wide Web.
Motorola said VoxML makes it easier for companies to let consumers get information such as personal-banking records, weather forecasts, or internal company information over phones and computers using natural voice commands.
Applications utilizing VoxML will also allow people to access online information such as sports scores, stock quotes, and internal company information over wireless phones or computers using natural voice commands.
"This language enables developers to leverage their existing Web application skills to tap into new distribution channels and reach emerging markets and revenue streams," Maria Martinez, Motorola ICSD general manager and vice president, said in a statement.
Several content providers, including The Weather Channel, CBS MarketWatch.com, Traffic Station Group, Biztravel.com, astrology.net, and SmartRoute, have already embraced VoxML as the ideal method of extending the reach of their content services, the company said.
Developers can obtain a software development kit--which includes a VoxML language specification, a VoxML simulator for applications development, and several example applications--from Motorola by downloading it from the company's Web site.
Reuters contributed to this report.