March 23, 2009
Atlanta, Ga. – Royal Philips Electronics (AEX: PHI, NYSE: PHG) today announced the launch of SpeechControl, driver software that enables compatibility between the Philips SpeechMike product and Dragon NaturallySpeaking speech recognition program. The addition of SpeechControl is part of Philips’ strategy to integrate digital speech processing into the everyday workflow of document-critical sectors.
SpeechControl features a clear, intuitive input mask that allows SpeechMike buttons to be programmed with the most frequent speech recognition commands, enabling users to start a recording, move the cursor or correct passages with the touch of a button. In addition, the software supports configuration of the Philips USB foot switch for use with Dragon NaturallySpeaking right out of the box with a minimum installation effort. Commands may also be configured for use with other programs such as Microsoft PowerPoint.
“SpeechControl emphasizes Philips’ leading technological position in the digital speech processing sector. The intelligent integration of cutting-edge dictation hardware and the world’s leading speech recognition solution will take digital dictation to new heights in terms of productivity gains,” said Dr. Thomas Brauner, CEO and Category Leader, Philips Speech Processing. “The integration of the SpeechMike with Dragon NaturallySpeaking is the result of growing interest in speech recognition – among companies and public institutions, in the legal sector, in healthcare, in science, and research. It opens up a wealth of opportunity for users to define practices which best suit their individual preferences.”
“Test users welcomed the improved use of the trackball in Dragon Pad. They said that SpeechControl was intuitive and very powerful. The default programming of the individual buttons was also found to be neat and logical, making operation easier and increasing user-friendliness,” said Wolfgang Spanlang, product manager at Philips Speech Processing.
All SpeechMikes, USB foot switches and SpeechMike Air (available in the fall) will now be shipped with the software, which can also be downloaded free of charge from the Philips Speech Processing Web site at www.philips.com/dictation. All users of the current SpeechMike generation can upgrade easily and free of charge online.
For further information contact:
Philips Speech Processing
May Fong
Tel: 905-201-4202
E-mail: may.fong@philips.com
www.philips.com/dictation
About Philips Speech Processing
For more than 50 years Philips Speech Processing has been the driving force in delivering dictation and speech technologies to users around the world. With its headquarters and production centre located in Vienna, Austria, Philips Speech Processing is the world’s market leader in professional analogue and digital dictation solutions. From office-based desktop dictation to mobile dictation, from conference recording to entire workflow solutions with the SpeechExec software family, our products support every imaginable scenario. Revolutionary digital dictation products, such as the SpeechMike, the Digital Pocket Memo with Voice Commands, the Barcode Module and the LAN Docking Station are helping professionals to work more efficiently every day, in the easiest possible manner, entirely in keeping with Philips ‘sense and simplicity’ philosophy. For more information, visit: www.philips.com/dictation.
About Royal Philips Electronics
Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is a diversified Health and Well-being company, focused on improving people’s lives through timely innovations. As a world leader in healthcare, lifestyle and lighting, Philips integrates technologies and design into people-centric solutions, based on fundamental customer insights and the brand promise of “sense and simplicity”. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips employs approximately 121,000 employees in more than 60 countries worldwide. With sales of EUR 26 billion in 2008, the company is a market leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as lifestyle products for personal well-being and pleasure with strong leadership positions in flat TV, male shaving and grooming, portable entertainment and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.
