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write-up about what's new in Version 9. This write-up includes screen shots.
Nuance July 18, 2006 Press Release describing Dragon NaturallySpeaking Version
9:
Nuance Introduces Dragon
NaturallySpeaking 9 – Advanced Speech Recognition that Transforms the PC
Experience
Dramatic Accuracy Gains and Eliminating Training
Requirements Create Superior and More Natural PC Experience for Everyone
BURLINGTON, Mass., July 18, 2006
– Nuance Communications (Nasdaq: NUAN), a leading provider of speech and
imaging solutions, today introduced Dragon™ NaturallySpeaking® version 9, a
new release of the world’s best selling speech recognition solution for
Microsoft Windows. The new version promises to transform the way people use
their PCs, moving accuracy levels up to 99% and becoming the first desktop
speech recognition software that truly eliminates the need to train the
software to a user’s voice.
“For more than a decade, industry leaders have forecast
the day that speech recognition would become as valuable as the keyboard and
mouse in using the PC, even becoming a primary way for creating documents
and controlling applications,” said Paul Ricci, chairman and CEO of Nuance
Communications, Inc. “To a great extent, version eight of Dragon
NaturallySpeaking finally delivered the accuracy levels needed to move
speech recognition into the mainstream. Today, with the new release, we have
overcome the final obstacles to adoption and made speech as seamless as the
keyboard and mouse, creating a superior, more productive experience that
will introduce new generations of users to speech recognition.”
Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 allows people to perform nearly
any computing task by speaking with their PC. This innovative software
supports almost all Windows applications and instantly turns the natural
voice into text or commands at speeds up to 160 words per minute with
accuracy levels that can reach 99 percent – which is faster and more precise
than typing. Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 delivers significant improvements
for existing users, as well as new features designed to expand the use of
speech recognition beyond the millions of professionals, enthusiasts and
people with disabilities who already use the software.
Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 delivers on what matters most
in recognition products, providing accuracy levels that are unrivaled in
desktop speech recognition, 20 percent higher than the previous release.
Dragon NaturallySpeaking users gain the added benefit of avoiding spelling
errors and typing mistakes, making speech a more natural and satisfying
experience.
The new release also removes one of the most significant
issues that has caused many people to resist even trying speech recognition
– “training” or “enrollment.” In historical implementations of speech
recognition, users were faced with the time-consuming requirement of reading
specific scripts, allowing the speech recognition to “learn” the voice of
the user. Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 is the first-ever desktop speech
recognition product to eliminate training while still delivering highly
accurate results.
Dragon NaturallySpeaking also improves its accuracy as it
is used, learning and honing its precision with every dictated word. By
removing the need to specifically train the product users can start
realizing the benefits of Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 more quickly than ever
before. Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 includes a full library of re-designed
on-screen tutorials that significantly reduce the time it takes to become an
every-day user of the software. Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 also includes
support for Bluetooth® headsets and microphones, as well as Tablet PCs and a
number of new mobile devices, giving people the freedom to dictate
wirelessly or on-the-go with a PDA or digital recorder.
A Breakthrough in Speech Recognition for Microsoft
Windows
Dragon NaturallySpeaking makes speech recognition
available for every user, from the novice to the PC expert. The Dragon
NaturallySpeaking family includes different versions specifically designed
for varying levels of PC user: Dragon NaturallySpeaking Professional for
busy corporate professionals or organizations; Dragon NaturallySpeaking
Preferred for the PC enthusiast or home office worker; and Dragon
NaturallySpeaking Standard for the casual home PC user.
To help users achieve an increased level of productivity
and unparalleled levels of accuracy, Nuance has added a number of key
capabilities to Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9:
Key Benefits
-
Most Accurate Ever
– Significant improvements to the Dragon NaturallySpeaking recognition
system have yielded an accuracy improvement of more than 20 percent over
the previous release, and nearly 40 percent over version 7 – resulting
in speech recognition accuracy levels as high as 99 percent.
-
First to Eliminate Training
– Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 is the first desktop speech recognition
solution to truly remove the time need to “train” the software – and
still deliver accurate results.
-
Speech Seamlessly Integrated
– Simply install Dragon NaturallySpeaking and you have added speech
input and control to virtually all of your Microsoft Windows
applications. The new release includes specific integration with
Microsoft® Office, Outlook® and Internet Explorer®, as well as Corel®
WordPerfect™ and Mozilla™ FireFox® and Thunderbird™.
-
New-found Mobility, Portability
– New support for Nuance-approved Bluetooth headsets gives users the
freedom to dictate wirelessly, without being tethered to a PC. In
addition, users can capture dictation with mobile devices such as
digital recorders, Palm® Tungsten™ and Pocket PCs for automatic
transcription by Dragon NaturallySpeaking when synched with the PC.
-
Enterprise Features
– Dragon NaturallySpeaking Professional 9 can be accessed from anywhere
on a network, even thin client Citrix® terminals. Improved network tools
allow administrators to easily manage Dragon NaturallySpeaking
deployments over a network to multiple clients.
Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 is also Section 508 certified
to allow hands-free use of the PC for those with disabilities and to assist
people with carpal tunnel syndrome or other repetitive stress injuries.
Dragon NaturallySpeaking has been shown to reduce temporary labor costs and
insurance premiums by reducing repetitive stress injuries and worker
compensation claims. The enterprise features in this new release will make
deploying Dragon NaturallySpeaking to multiple users in a corporate
environment even easier and more cost-effective.
The latest release of Dragon NaturallySpeaking comes from
the world’s expert in speech recognition – Nuance. Nuance speech technology
touches millions of people every day as they interact with their bank or
airline reservation system by voice, dial by voice from their cell phone, or
interact with their car’s navigation system.
Nuance, the Nuance logo, Dragon and
NaturallySpeaking are trademarks or registered trademarks of Nuance
Communications, Inc. or its affiliates in the United States and/or other
countries. All other trademarks referenced herein are the property of their
respective owners.
The statements in this press release
that relate to future plans, events or performance are forward-looking
statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including risks associated
with market trends, competitive factors, and other risks identified in
Nuance’s SEC filings. Actual results, events and performance may differ
materially. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date hereof.
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Availability of
Version 9 Products and How to Order
Version 9 was announced on July 18, 2006 and is scheduled
to be available as described. Estimated First Ship Dates from Nuance
-- add 2-4 days for distribution time-in-transit:
