Microsoft talks up Pocket PC voice interface

Microsoft has released software that allows users to control a Pocket PC using voice commands.

Voice Command for the Pocket PC brings applications normally found on mobile phones to PDAs running Windows Mobile 2003. These include voice tag dialling, speech controlled navigation between menus, and application shortcuts such as asking: 'What's my calendar?' to get the day's schedule read out loud.

"Voice Command provides a significant improvement in speech software that is dramatically changing the way people will use their mobile devices," said Pieter Knook, senior vice president for mobile and embedded devices at Microsoft.

"The product is a great example of how we are driving synergies between our platforms and devices business to create more powerful mobile experiences for our customers."

Microsoft claims that the software can handle over 13 regional dialects, including Glaswegian, and that the software requires no training before recognising the user's speech, a problem that bedevilled early voice recognition technology.

The software is being sold for a recommended retail price of £19.99 and is available from Handango.