Recognition is crucial to fashion phones: News from ART, Advanced Recognition Technologies

Note: Readers of the free Electronicstalk email newsletter will have read this news when it was announced. Find out how to register for your free copy now.

ART's innovative Smartspeak NG has been chosen to power the unique voice-only personal communication device, Xelibri 3, the flagship model of the new Xelibri fashion phone collection. Created as fashion accessories to be sold over new channels, primarily via department stores and fashion retailers, these radically different shaped and wearable devices are part of a bold move to reinvigorate growth in the stalled mobile phone market. At the same time, the highly sophisticated Xelibri 3 is the first GSM mobile phone to support speaker independent recognition functionality.

The new device, with a single key instead of a standard keypad, is purely voice activated by a sophisticated User Interface developed jointly by ART and Xelibri.

This UI is based on ART's market proven, all-in-one speech recognition solution, Smartspeak NG, an ultra-advanced technology that combines both speaker independent digit dialling and speaker dependent name dialling and command functions in one bundle.

Specially designed for the tight processing-power environment of mobile devices, Smartspeak NG is a perfect fit with the technological demands of the ultra-small Xelibri 3.

To be marketed as fashion items with spring/summer and autumn/winter collections, the first Xelibri devices will work in English, Italian, German, Chinese, Spanish and French, with other languages to follow.

Each Xelibri collection will consist of four phones and, just as regular fashion accessories, will be available in limited quantities and will have a lifecycle of twelve months - significantly shorter than existing mobile phones.

"Xelibri products are fashion accessories that make phone calls.

At the same time, neither Siemens nor our customers would accept compromise on the highest technological standards in our mobile phones", said George Appling, President of Siemens' new Xelibri Division.

"So, with no traditional keypad and only one key, ART's Smartspeak NG became of vital importance as a best of breed voice recognition solution for the successful voice activation of the new Xelibri 3 fashion device".

"With mobile phone penetration rates in many markets at 70 to 85%, and overall growth stalled, it's a masterstroke of strategic thinking to create a new category for the market place especially one that can build demand for multiple phone ownership", said Eran Aharonson, President of ART Advanced Recognition Technologies.

"ART is proud to be associated with this innovative new venture, and we feel sure that this marks just the beginning of a successful long term relationship between Xelibri and ART that will lead to many more high quality results".

• ART, Advanced Recognition Technologies: contact details and other news
• Email this news to a colleague
• Register for the free Electronicstalk email newsletter
• Electronicstalk Home Page