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LOBBY7 Launches x|mode(TM) Embedded Server, The Multimodal Solution for Disconnected Network Environments
x|mode(TM) Embedded Server is Newest Addition to Suite of Products that Enable Simultaneous Speech, Touch and Graphical Interactions
BOSTON, Mass. – Dec 10, 2001 – LOBBY7, Inc., the leader in multimodal technology, today announced expansion of its x|mode multimodal product line to include x|mode Embedded Server, a device-resident micro application server for a disconnected network environment. x|mode Embedded Server joins x|mode Network Server to enable carriers, enterprises and portals to create and deploy robust multimodal applications for field service, mobile sales, city guides, and car navigation systems among others. These applications enhance the customer's experience and loyalty through powerful, easy-to-use interfaces, and improve operational efficiency through rapid data-entry and manipulation capabilities.
x|mode Embedded Server is a lightweight implementation of LOBBY7's flagship application server x|mode Network Server. As an integrated micro-server, x|mode Embedded Server has a small footprint that runs fully on the device or appliance of choice, enabling a multimodal interface without requiring a live network connection.
Multimodal applications blend speech and touch input methods with text, audio and graphics as output methods. Just as "multimedia" signifies the integration of media types (audio, video, text and images), "multimodal" signifies the merging of input and output modes in the user interface of an information appliance (touch-screen, keypad and voice commands for input; images and sound for output). Using a multimodal interface in appliances such as kiosks, mobile phones, PDAs, and car navigation systems, users can request information by voice, receive instantaneous visual feedback, interact with stylus or keypad, or mix any input/output combination based on the task or need at hand.
"The market for multimodal devices is expected to rapidly expand as large software companies and enterprise software vendors supporting mobile field personnel enter this space and extend their marketing reach with multimodal applications. As carriers and enterprises seek integrated solutions that eliminate the need to carry multiple devices for voice and data connectivity, market leadership will help deliver these solutions sooner," said Elizabeth Herrell, Research Director at Giga Information Group ("New Multimodal Server Enables Voice, Text and Graphic on Smart Phones and PDAs," October 29, 2001).
"As mobile workers and customers continue to struggle with constrained interfaces on their devices, x|mode Embedded Server offers a low-cost, plug-in solution for environments without a wireless connection," said Mykolas Rambus, President of LOBBY7. "In particular, x|mode Embedded Server is an excellent option for enterprise workforces who often have a small set of tasks that need to be accomplished repeatedly and quickly. With the assistance of an x|mode-powered multimodal interface, users can 'command-and-control' their applications with their voice or touch and simply dock their devices for upload when convenient."
x|mode Embedded Server enables a variety of applications for mobile users in a networkdisconnected environment, shaving minutes off every task that requires information input and manipulation. A mobile sales agent, for example, will use voice to perform otherwise timeconsuming form-filling functions simply by speaking the information into the fields on the screen. The agent will also be able to navigate a complex tree of any forms, files, or information from local databases by simply issuing voice commands.
"LOBBY7's x|mode Embedded multimodal technology is an excellent complement to its x|mode Network technology and provides a viable alternative for customers looking for a small footprint, multimodal application for local devices," said Mike Phillips, CTO of SpeechWorks International, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPWX), a global leader in speech recognition and text-to-speech technologies and services. "As a valued partner of SpeechWorks' newly created, Automotive & Mobile Device Customer Focus Unit, LOBBY7 will help create an excellent user experience for device customers."
Technology and Components
x|mode Embedded Server is an integrated micro application server with a small footprint and runs fully on the device or appliance of choice, enabling a multimodal interface without requiring a live network connection.
At the core of x|mode Embedded Server resides LOBBY7's patent-pending active state management and modality management engines. These components seamlessly integrate data input via voice, keypad or stylus, with output in voice, audio or graphical formats, enabling interactions via multiple simultaneous modalities.
Multimodal authoring for applications powered by x|mode Embedded Server is done using the same methodology and tools that are part of LOBBY7's network-based application server suite, leveraging existing standards such as XHTML, WML, VoiceXML 2.0 and the efforts of standards organizations such as the SALT Forum and W3C. These authoring tools help minimize timeto- market of a multimodal application by facilitating rapid application development, testing and deployment.
x|mode Embedded Server runs in a wide variety of embedded software environments, including Windows CE, Pocket PC and Tablet PC with upcoming support for Linux. x|mode Embedded Server utilizes SpeechWorks' Speech2Go™ embedded speech recognition engine and ETI-Eloquence™ embedded TTS engine in addition to other embedded speech software.
Pricing is available upon request.
About LOBBY7
LOBBY7's x|mode(TM) Network Server and x|mode(TM) Embedded Server enable a new breed of applications that deliver simple, powerful user interactions across a wide range of information appliances. This breakthrough technology enables simultaneous blending of speech, touch and graphics, so that users have fluid, efficient access to information systems through voice commands, touch controls, or both at the same time. x|mode(TM) allows carriers, enterprises, and portals to extract new value from existing systems – or generate new offerings altogether – that streamline work processes and improve customer access and reach. For more information, visit www.lobby7.com.
x|mode(TM) multimodal product line, x|mode(TM) Network Server and x|mode(TM) Embedded Server are trademarks of LOBBY7. Speech2Go and ETI-Eloquence are trademarks of SpeechWorks International, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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