CNNdotCOM Technofile: Voice-activated Web browsing

(CNN) -- The Web is an unexplored continent for some people, with only the coastal areas mapped. With several billion Web pages out there, many of them still uncataloged, a voice-activated personal assistant might be just what's needed.

Enter Intelligent Voice Animated Navigator (IVAN) by One Voice Technologies. The voice-activated globe guides you through the Internet without having to use a keyboard.

"He interprets what you say, picks the concept out of that and brings that content to you over the Internet," said Mark Strumwasser, vice president of One Voice Technologies.

All you need to get started is to download the free IVAN software from myIVAN.com and purchase a headset microphone for $19.95. Once you're plugged in, IVAN leads you through a short training session to help him understand the nuances of your voice.

Now begin talking your way through the Internet to an animated globe graphic on your computer screen. Even when he's not quite sure what you're saying, IVAN is smart enough to suggest alternatives, using its artificial intelligence.

"If you asked a question like, 'I'd like to buy a Mustang,' most people would think of a Ford Mustang. But actually, I'm an equestrian. I like horses. So IVAN disambiguates between the two and asks, 'Did you mean a Ford Mustang or did you mean a Mustang horse?'" Strumwasser said.

More Web sites are being built to take advantage of speech-based Web assistants. And in the very near future, you might find that you can surf to your heart's content without ever reaching for the mouse.

CNNdotCOM Correspondent Rick Lockridge contributed to this report

Voice recognition giant goes into Chapter 11
December 1, 2000
Review: MacSpeech demos voice recognition
November 29, 2000
Speech technology goes mobile, online
November 8, 2000
Voice recognition software previewed
October 5, 2000
Researchers on a quest to replace the keyboard and mouse
August 29, 2000

One Voice Technologies
  • myIVAN.com

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.