Microsoft Adds Voice Support To Pocket PCs

The software giant Monday announced voice-controlled software for the Windows Mobile 2003 operating system that runs on the Pocket PC and Pocket PC Phone Edition.

The voice software, dubbed Voice Command, will allow users to have hands-free interaction with contacts, calendar, phone and music data stored on their PDAs and cell phones, according to Microsoft. Several phones based on Microsoft technology are being prepped for debut next quarter.

For example, a user's voice would be able to access and dial phone numbers, query for calendar appointments, launch other Pocket PC applications and select music hands free while driving their cars.

Voice Command, which requires Windows Mobile 2003, ActiveSync 3.7 and Windows XP, 2000, Millenium Edition or Windows 98 SE, is available for about $39.95 on Handango.com and PocketPC.com.

Microsoft also is tinkering with the notion of supporting interoperable digital ink for the Windows Mobile and Windows Tablet PC operating systems. The Pocket PC currently supports a version of digital ink that's different from that on the Tablet PC.

"There is a project underway for porting ink to the Pocket PC," said David Jones, lead program manager of Tablet PCs at Microsoft, to an audience at the company's Professional Developers Conference last week. "People want ink interoperability between their Tablet PC and Pocket PC."

In an e-mail exchange with CRN this week, Jones said Microsoft is investigating ways to make the two operating systems share and edit ink-based work. "It's too early to say what, if anything, will come out of this effort," he said.

Microsoft launched its Mobile Windows brand last June, a category of software that incorporates Pocket PC and smartphone software.