Sprint V-Enable’s mobile local voice search with FreeMobile411
V-ENABLE has announced the availability of a full-featured downloadable version of FreeMobile411 to Sprint customers.
How does it work?
Well users hold down the talk key of the phone and speak what they are looking for. The results are then displayed on the screen.
What is the value add?
Well. Apparently this voice search is not only for residential and business listings but also for maps, driving directions and what is nearby information.
Is this a browser service?
No. JAVA Client - on device portal.
From the press release
“There are several mobile and voice based services that can help find listings, get maps, driving directions, see what’s nearby. but none of the services bring it all together, with the touch of a live operator,” said Craig Hagopian, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of V-ENABLE Inc.
“With FreeMobile411 we are embracing the blending of man and machine to complete the search experience. We look forward to being available on even more carriers and handsets so all mobile consumers can experience the most complete mobile search solution currently available”.
What we think?
I think that I am going to have to bury my dislike of voice search applications because demand for them is growing. First there was that Microsoft find a contact voice search service. Then Microsoft bought Tell Me. Then Yahoo! invests in Vlingo and Nuance bought Be Vocal and Voice Signal and Medio uses the services of (Yikes I think its Nouvaris or something will have to check) and then Google does 411 and so does everyone else. Um. Does JumpTap have a voice search?
But anyway.
Voice applications are in. But in the introduction of this press release there is a statement saying that consumers use voice search primarily for directory services. I have to say, I think that I agree. I don’t think that I would want to use voice to buy a ringtone. But I wouldn’t mind using it to get fast directions.
I am going to have to have a briefing with V-Enable as I am not sure if the technology needs to be programmed (like VoiceSignal does) to the persons voice or not. More when I find out.
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