IBM and Opera Software Team to Develop Multimodal Browser
IBM and Opera Software Team to Develop Multimodal Browser
XHTML+Voice (X+V) browser allows developers to extend voice, web
applications
Vox 2002, San Francisco, CA & Oslo, Norway. - July 24, 2002 - IBM and Opera
announced that they will jointly develop a multimodal browser based on the
XHTML+Voice (X+V) specification. The beta version of the browser, available
this fall, can allow access to Web and voice information from a single
mobile device.
This project builds upon IBM's and Opera's ongoing relationship. In
2001,IBM, Motorola and Opera submitted the multimodal standard X+V to the
standards body W3C. This mark-up language leverages existing standards,
already familiar to voice and Web developers, so they can use their skills
and resources to extend current applications instead of building new ones
from the ground up.
Multimodal technology allows the interchangeable use of multiple forms of
input and output, such as voice commands, keypads, or stylus -- in the same
interaction. As computing moves away from keyboard-reliant PCs into devices
such as handheld computers and cellular phones, multimodal technology
becomes increasingly important. This technology will allow end-users to
interact with technology in ways that are most suitable to the situation.
For example, multimodal applications bring tremendous benefits to field
force automation. Off-site workers will be able to request inventory
information by voice, for instance, when they're on the factory floor and
need to access information - hands-free. The information can then come
back to them in text, or as graphics.
"IBM and Opera Software are collaborating in developing speech technology
by providing the tools necessary for multimodal applications," says Jon S.
von Tetzchner, CEO, Opera Software ASA. "We look forward to seeing how this
multimodal browser will help shape the evolution of the mobile and wireless
computing as we move into this next phase of e-business."
"As we move further into the pervasive computing model, where our phones,
handhelds and even cars become our gateways to information access, the
ability to interact with technology in the most natural and convenient way
possible will be key," said Rod Adkins, General Manager, IBM Pervasive
Computing Division. "Together with Opera, one of the leading providers of
browser technology, IBM aims to build an interface that will allow
technology to adapt to end-users, rather than forcing them to adapt to
technology."
This is the latest in a series of moves IBM is making in multimodal
technology. Last week, IBM announced its multimodal toolkit for developers
and the planned addition of multimodal capabilities to its recently
announced WebSphere Everyplace Access (WEA). Built on IBM's WebSphere Voice
Toolkit, the multimodal toolkit will contain a multimodal editor, in which
developers can write both XHTML and VoiceXML in the same application;
reusable blocks of X+V code; and a simulator to test the applications.
Additionally, the toolkit adds Eclipse-based plug-ins to a web developer's
existing WebSphere Studio development environment. WEA enables access to
enterprise data and applications from a wide range of mobile devices. The
addition of X+V-based multimodal capability to WEA allows users to access
business applications such as databases and Customer Relationship
Information applications via multimodal devices.
Also in his keynote speech at the Vox conference today, Adkins urged the
voice industry to introduce tools to make voice and multimodal development
easier. "We don't make it easy to develop for voice," he said. "Voice XML
was a good start in standardizing the programming language and tags. Now,
let's go the next step further, and do the same for how we build the user
interface and dialogues."
Adkins added that tools such as reusable dialog components -- chunks of
code that can be used to build applications to different industries-- would
help greatly to ease voice and multimodal development. "A developer should
be able to use the same block of code to build a credit card application
for retail as he'd use for a travel application," he said.
About Opera Software
Opera Software ASA is an industry leader in the development of Web browsers
for the desktop and embedded markets, partnering with companies such as
IBM, AMD, Nokia, Symbian, Canal+ Technologies, Ericsson, Sharp and Lineo.
The Opera browser has received international recognition from end users and
the industry press for being faster, smaller and more standards-compliant
than other browsers. Opera is available on Windows, Mac, Linux/Solaris,
Symbian OS and QNX. Opera Software ASA is a privately held company
headquartered in Oslo, Norway. Learn more about Opera at www.opera.com.
About IBM Pervasive Computing:
IBM is the world's leading e-business company offering a wide range of
services, solutions and technologies that help businesses take full
advantage of emerging innovation. IBM's pervasive computing and mobile
Internet strategy is to extend e-business applications to the new class of
connected client devices. This involves building, deploying and developing
mobile applications by partnering with key players like QUALCOMM, Ericsson,
Intel, Motorola, Nokia, RIM and Palm; developing groundbreaking initiatives
to set open industry standards; and deploying a Business Innovation
Services team with hundreds of wireless Consultants. IBM also makes chips
for a wide range of devices from the world's most powerful computers to the
smallest cell phones. IBM can be found on the Web at www.ibm.com.
*IBM and WebSphere are registered trademarks of International Business
Machines Corporation in the United States and/ or other countries.
All statements regarding IBM's future direction or intent are subject to
change or withdrawal without notice, and represent goals and objectives
only.
Contacts:
Opera Software ASA
Katherine Barrios
Tel: +4740401465
Press@opera.com
IBM Pervasive Computing
Geraldine Kan
Wk: 1-914-766-3284 (IBM tie-line 826 3284)
Cell: 1-917-478-5148
gkan@us.ibm.com
