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Microsoft and IBM Announce Technology Agreement
Microsoft Corp. today announced that it has entered into a semiconductor technology agreement with IBM Corp. Under the agreement, Microsoft has licensed leading-edge semiconductor processor technology from IBM for use in future Xbox® products and services to be announced at a later date.

"Microsoft is already developing the software and services that will drive the Digital Decade," said Robbie Bach, senior vice president of the Home & Entertainment Division at Microsoft. "By combining our vision, software experience and R&D resources with IBM's computer and semiconductor technologies, we plan to deliver unprecedented and unparalleled entertainment experiences to consumers while creating new engines of growth for the technology and entertainment industries."

According to Bernie Meyerson, IBM Fellow and chief technologist for IBM's Technology Group, the new Xbox technologies will be based on the latest in IBM's family of state-of-the-art processors.

"IBM's advanced chip technologies are in demand across a wide range of industries and applications," Meyerson said. "We're excited to be working on a project of this magnitude and that Microsoft has chosen IBM to provide technologies that will power future consumer devices and expand the boundaries of what's possible in entertainment."

View: The full press release
News source: MS Presspass

The following key features are provided in Voice Command:

Voice-controlled hands-free phone. Whether in the car, at the airport or walking down the street, people will enjoy true hands-free phone conversations without ever having to manually dial a number. They can simply say any name from their contact list. For example, they might say "Call Bob Smith," or they could give a number, saying for example, "Dial 555-1212."
Voice-controlled calendar lookup. Checking appointments has never been easier. Regardless of location, consumers can simply ask their Pocket PC, "What's my next appointment?" or "What's my calendar?" and the time, subject and location of each entry will be read aloud.
Voice-controlled Windows Media® Player. Now voice commands can be used as a virtual remote control to select and play music by album, artist or genre so people won't be fumbling for CDs or scrolling through a long list of songs. Consumers can also simply say, "Play music," using Voice Command as their personal disc jockey.
Voice-controlled application launcher. Consumers can open Pocket PC applications with ease using natural voice cues to launch any program, including Internet Explorer, Outlook® Calendar, Contacts and Tasks, games and Calculator. For example, a consumer can say "Start Solitaire," and let the games begin.
"Voice Command provides a significant improvement in speech software that is dramatically changing the way people will forever use their mobile devices," said Pieter Knook, corporate vice president for Mobile and Embedded Devices and Network Service Providers at Microsoft. "The product is a great example of how we're driving synergies between our platforms and devices business to create more powerful mobile experiences for our customers."

Automotive Business Unit Turns Up the Volume on Voice-Controlled Software

Microsoft's Automotive Business Unit developed Voice Command to address consumers' need to be safely connected while on the go. People want access to their personalized information, regardless of location, and research supports this trend. A recent survey revealed that 85 percent of U.S. cell phone owners and 50 percent of PDA owners use their devices while in the car.*

"We've been focused on providing improved communication, entertainment and information to drivers and passengers for the past decade," said Dick Brass, corporate vice president of Automotive Technologies at Microsoft. "No other company has the expertise and technical tools to provide a simple solution like Voice Command to the thousands who need safer, more convenient access to their personalized information both inside and outside the car."

Availability and System Requirements

Available for $39.95 (U.S.) on Handango.com and PocketPC.com, Voice Command is not only an affordable way to enhance a Pocket PC but is simple to install for consumers whose systems meet the following minimum requirements:

Windows Mobile 2003 software for Pocket PC or Pocket PC Phone Edition
Microsoft ActiveSync® 3.7 technology
Microsoft Windows® XP, Windows 2000, Windows Millennium Edition or Windows 98 Second Edition operating system
CD-ROM drive
About the Automotive Business Unit

Since 1995, Microsoft's Automotive Business Unit has worked collaboratively with the auto industry to deliver technology designed for advanced in-car information, navigation and entertainment systems. By extending the company's knowledge of software for use in the car to

Windows Mobile-based Pocket PCs, Microsoft is able to deliver the easiest, most convenient and productive software designed specifically to help people take their connected lifestyle with them wherever they go. In addition to offering consumers an alternative means to experience in-car connectivity, Microsoft will continue to provide the automotive industry with its advanced telematics platform, Windows Automotive. Microsoft technology is on the road today in 17 car models from eight manufacturers: BMW, Citroën, Fiat, Honda, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Toyota and Volvo.