Voice-Activated Service Retrieves Web-based Information

 

The V-Portal Idea Contest hosted by NTT Com on January 17
recognized 11 people (out of 400 entries)
who submitted innovative suggestions for new content.

NTT Communications (NTT Com) launched a voice-activated portal service ("V-Portal") for retrieving web-based information via fixed and mobile phones on January 16.

Users simply call a nationwide access number and specify the desired information category by voice to activate the retrieval process.

V-Portal currently offers 25 types of information in 13 genres, including news, weather, stocks, traffic updates, recipes, games, horoscopes and even news about popular entertainers.

In addition to information retrieval, V-Portal also provides services such as the conversion of voice messages into e-mail text and storing and reviewing of this clipped data. Users of NTT Com's OCN Internet-connection service are offered other voice-related services, such as voice readouts of e-mail.

NTT Com also plans to add corporate-related V-Portal services in the near future. Companies will be able to set up voice-activated V-Portal sites to communicate with their customers, with regard to disseminating product information and conducting giveaway campaigns.