Voice app provider Nuance has signed a multi-year deal with handset manufacturer ZTE to integrate its services into upcoming devices in 2013. Announced at CES 2013, the well-known voice service provider will partner with ZTE to bring better voice control to its “Car Mode” app. The app can be operated completely with voice, not even requiring any viewing of the screen.
You can wake up Car Mode with a wake-up word, and manage everything via voice (input and output) from there. After waking, users can dial contacts and numbers, launch navigation apps, get the local weather and play music on the device. While enabled, the app will also audibly announce incoming caller names as well as read aloud incoming text messages.
This is all necessary technology to help people be as safe as possible when driving with their phones. The new Nuance-enabled Car Mode app will be pre-loaded on ZTE’s entire 2013 line of phones, and will offer voice control and feedback in 25 languages.
Nuance and ZTE to Collaborate on Portfolio of Voice-Enabled Android Devices
Multi-Year Agreement to Bring Advanced Voice Applications to ZTE Android Devices, Including ZTE’s New Car Mode App for Smarter, Safer In-Car Experience
Burlington, Mass. and Las Vegas, CES 2013 – January 7, 2013 – Nuance Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: NUAN) and ZTE Corporation today announced a multi-year collaboration where Nuance’s voice capabilities will be integrated as part of a new portfolio of ZTE Android devices worldwide. The result will be a diverse set of mobile applications and devices that foster a more natural, human interaction between people and their ZTE phone – in more than 25 languages. Among those applications is ZTE’s new Car Mode application unveiled at CES 2013 in Las Vegas.
Car Mode integrates Nuance’s powerful voice capabilities to let users speak to stay connected to people and the content they love, without bringing additional manual-visual distractions into the car. Taking advantage of Nuance’s automotive-grade voice technology and expertise, ZTE’s Car Mode application is embedded within the device to provide people with reliable, always available hands-free, eyes-free access to the phone functions that are used the most while driving, such as making phone calls, reading text messages and accessing music – no network or data connection required and in noisy automotive environments.
People simply engage Car Mode with a hands-free wake-up word, and the app is at their command to dial contacts and numbers, launch navigation apps, get the local weather, and play music on the device. Further, Car Mode announces incoming callers and reads incoming text messages aloud with Nuance’s natural text to speech, and allows people to barge in with new voice commands or cancel incoming audio when needed. Car Mode also features a “Do not disturb” mode where drivers can further minimize distractions by blocking all incoming calls and text messages until they arrive at their destination – with notifications available of those calls and text messages missed.
“Mobile means being connected at any time, any place. By integrating Nuance’s voice technologies as a core part of our Android device lineup and mobile applications, our consumers can simply speak to elicit an intelligent response from their phone – no hands required,” said Mr. Kan Yulun, Corporate Vice President of ZTE Corporation and CTO of the ZTE Mobile Device Division.
“Working closely with ZTE, Nuance will further humanize and simplify the way people interact with ZTE devices and applications through voice,” said Michael Thompson, executive vice president and general manager, Nuance Mobile. “The results of our collaboration will yield a new global portfolio of intelligent and intuitive Android devices and applications that keep people connected on the go and wherever life takes them.”
Availability
ZTE’s Car Mode application will be available pre-loaded on ZTE Android devices in 2013.
Nuance’s portfolio of voice, touch and natural language understanding innovations that are defining a new generation of intelligent systems and personal assistant technologies, which include Dragon NaturallySpeaking, Dragon Dictate for Mac, Dragon Assistant for Intel-inspired Ultrabooks, Dragon Dictation, Dragon Go!, Dragon Drive, Dragon TV, Dragon ID, Dragon Voicemail to Text, and Swype. With Nuance technology, people experience more humanized interactions with the world’s best phones, tablets, computers, cars, TVs, apps and services from leading manufacturers and operators. To learn more visit www.nuancemobilelife.com.
About ZTE Corporation
ZTE is a publicly-listed global provider of telecommunications equipment and network solutions with the most comprehensive product range covering virtually every sector of the wireline, wireless, service and terminals markets. The company delivers innovative, custom-made products and services to over 500 operators in more than 140 countries, helping them to meet the changing needs of their customers while achieving continued revenue growth. ZTE’s 2010 revenue led the industry with a 21% increase to USD10.609 billion. ZTE commits 10 percent of its revenue to research and development and takes a leading role in a wide range of international bodies developing emerging telecoms standards. A company with sound corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, ZTE is a member of the UN Global Compact. ZTE is China’s only listed telecom manufacturer, publicly traded on both the Hong Kong and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges (H share stock code: 0763.HK / A share stock code: 000063.SZ). For more information, please visit www.zte.com.cn.
About Nuance Communications, Inc.
Nuance Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: NUAN) is a leading provider of voice and language solutions for businesses and consumers around the world. Its technologies, applications and services make the user experience more compelling by transforming the way people interact with devices and systems. Every day, millions of users and thousands of businesses experience Nuance’s proven applications. For more information, please visit www.nuance.com.