IN-DEPTH

In this issue the focus is on mixed-language capabilities for Text-To-Speech systems a new feature recently introduced in the Loquendo TTS product. This is the starting point for an introduction to the field of speech synthesis processing. The article is rich of examples and practical tests (follows the links).

>> Go to the article.

STANDARDS CORNER

• SSML 1.0 reaches W3C Proposed Recommendation
  July 15, 2004
  The Speech Synthesis Markup Language (SSML 1.0) Specification has moved to the Proposed Recommendation stage. This is the last step before W3C Recommendation. Loquendo is active in the development of this specification and Loquendo TTS is one of the firsts product to implement it. If you want to test SSML, click here.
• Interview with Dr. T.V Raman (IBM) on VoiceXML Italian User Group
  July 3, 2004
  The Italian site of the VoiceXML community includes an interesting interview with Dr. T.V. Raman, IBM, who is one of the inventors of the multimodal XHTML+VoicexML (X+V) language. He is an expert on integrating speech into Web applications.
  
• VoiceXML Application Developer Program
  June 1, 2004
  VoiceXML Forum has launched the VoiceXML Application Developer Program. You can become a "Certified VoiceXML developer", if you pass the exam at a Thompson Prometric center (there are thousands of sites all over the world). The exam covers not only VoiceXML 2.0 and related specifications (SRGS 1.0, SSML 1.0) but also CCXML 1.0, Semantic Interpretation, and ECMA 262.
  The VoiceXML Forum site lists the certified VoiceXML application developers and lists training organizations that offer courses in developing speech applications using VoiceXML. See the certification page.
• CCXML 1.0 is W3C Last Call Working Draft
  April 30, 2004
  The "Voice Browser Call Control: CCXML Version 1.0" is now declared to be stable from the W3C Voice Browser Working Group. This standard language will allow programming of call control features (transfer call, conference call, etc.) in a Web based language. CCXML is designed to be interoperable with VoiceXML applications and also is designed to be usable with other languages, such as the SALT language.

LOQUENDO Products

• Loquendo Technology selected by CNIB Library of Toronto
  July 15, 2004
  Loquendo text-to-speech was selected by the CNIB (Canadian National Institute for the Blind) Library of Toronto. The Loquendo software will enable the Library's Audio and Electronic Publishing units to explore the potential for clear, human-like speech, eventually allowing clients to access material in talking book format. >> More
• Loquendo Releases Loquendo ASR 6.3 Technology
  July 5, 2004
  Loquendo ASR 6.3 includes important enhancements: optimized neural engine which further improves the runtime performance, reduced compilation time for very large grammars, and powerful grammar semantic software. Two new languages are available: Mexican and Portuguese. >> More
• Loquendo Vocal Technology presents Loquendo SDS
  June 21, 2004
  Loquendo presents its latest development in the world of vocal technologies: Loquendo Spoken Dialog System (SDS), which is a dialog management system that extends the power of VoiceXML-based services by enabling more sophisticated dialog capabilities. >> More
• Loquendo Launches Loquendo Audio Mixer
  June 17, 2004
  Loquendo presents the latest development for Loquendo TTS technology: the new audio mixer feature. Using simple command tags embedded in the text (such as Mix, Play, Stop, Pause, Resume, Loop and Fade), users can now reproduce audio files and music synchronized with the words pronounced by synthetic voices. >> More
• Loquendo TTS new voices released!
  Year 2004 appears to be full of rich novelties that trigger off the opening of new communication channels with Europe. From the first months of the year Loquendo TTS speaks a range of new voices: Jorge is the new male Castilian Spanish, Jordi the brand new Catalan male voice, Amalia the new female persona for the Portuguese, Katrin the brand new German female voice, and Matteo is the new bubbly male voice for the Italian language. >> More

LOQUENDO News

• Loquendo Announces the Appointment of Marco Romagnoli as Managing Director and CEO
  April 26, 2004
  The Board of Directors of Loquendo has appointed Mr. Marco Romagnoli as its new CEO effective April 8th, 2004. He will also assume the role of Managing Director. The broad management experience that Marco brings to Loquendo will be of particular value in growing the Company's technological leadership and empowering its commercial reach. >> More

Clients & Partners

• Loquendo Technology Powers LARTEC Home-Domotic Solutions
  June 9, 2004
  Loquendo and LARTEC, Spain's leading player in Home Domotics development - signed a VAR Agreement whereby Loquendo's high-quality multilingual Text-To Speech will be offered within LARTEC's state-of-the-art solutions. Within the context of this agreement Lartec is releasing the first home automation system, which talks in any language and enables one of its principal attractions: the ability to communicate interactively with users. >> More
• Nortel Networks signs agreement with Loquendo to enhance speech technology offerings
  May 27, 2004
  Loquendo and Nortel Networks have announced a reseller agreement to market and distribute the Loquendo text-to-speech product alongside the Nortel Networks Interactive Voice Response (IVR) Media Processing Server (MPS) 500/1000, Voice Processing Series Information Server (VPS/is) platforms as a total solution package. >> More
• Loquendo and VoiceWeb SA sign VAR Agreement
  May 25, 2004
  Loquendo and VoiceWeb SA, the Greek premier speech technology integrator a nd speech ASP, announced today that they have established a partnership, whereby VoiceWeb will exclusively distribute Loquendo’s products in Greece and Cyprus as a value added reseller. >> More
• Loquendo and MET France realize the CRM voice portal for Marionnaud perfumeries chain
  April 30, 2004
  Loquendo and its partner MET SA, French company part of the Business & Decision group, announced the launch of the CRM voice application for Marionnaud, the European chain of perfumeries, headquartered in France. >> More
• Loquendo Technology Powers INOV Platform Solutions
  April 28, 2004
  Loquendo and INOV, Portugal’s leading player in Voice Platform development - signed a Value Added Reseller Agreement whereby Loquendo's high-quality multilingual TTS and Automatic Speech Recognition engines will be offered within INOV's state-of-the-art platform. >> More

Events

• SpeechTEK 2004,
  New York Marriott Marquis, 13 - 16 September 2004
  Meet Loquendo at BOOTH # 509