Partnership Fosters International Development Through Education, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
SAN JOSE / WASHINGTON D.C. – March 9, 2009 – BluMail, a global email, education and networking portal for youth and others who will be coming online in developing countries and InternetSpeech, a California-based leader in voice Internet technology have announced today that both parties have launched a special effort to significantly bridge the digital and language divides using netECHO® Voice Internet Technology that allows anyone to access the Internet using any phone and user’s voice, without the need of a computer. The core “rendering” feature of voice Internet technology provides content from any website through short, precise, easily navigable audio in real time. Thus, many users would be able to enjoy all Internet content — including the BluMail email and education portal — using any phone by just talking and listening.
The core technology can also be effectively used to render web content onto display devices including tablet PCs or mobile phone screens, thus allowing many technology illiterate people to easily enjoy the benefits of the Internet.
“We see strong potential of using voice Internet technology to easily and quickly bridge the digital and language Divides in a very cost effective way – it really fits with BluMail’s vision to provide “make-a-difference content on activism, conflict resolution, education, entrepreneurship, environment, health, human rights, humanitarian relief, religious understanding, women’s empowerment, youth empowerment – these are areas that educate and inform, not just entertain” said Dr. Sarah McCue, Board Chair and Founder of BluMail.”
“Our goal is not just to Provide Internet to everyone but also help economic and social development through education, innovation and entrepreneurship”, said Dr. Emdad Khan, Founder, President and CEO of InternetSpeech“
Developed and deployed in the U.S. in 2002, Voice Internet, netECHO empowers users by enabling them to navigate the Internet and listen to information from any web site, using simple voice commands and any telephone. netECHO’s patented technology provides content from any website in real-time, going beyond traditional voice portal features such as news, weather, stock quotes and horoscopes. Customers can also search any word(s) using popular search engines including Google®, Yahoo, Altavista® and MSN®. The streaming audio feature allows users to listen to music, Internet radio stations, and many other live audio programs using a simple phone. Other key features include Directory Assistance, On-Line Book Reading, and Shopping on selected websites. Future versions of netECHO will support shopping on all major websites, more complex transactions including stock trading, banking and general e-commerce.
InternetSpeech’s voice Internet service is ideal for a variety of market segments, including:
- People who don’t own a computer, or who don’t have one readily available;
- Those with disabilities, particularly the visually-impaired and blind;
- Mobile business professionals who need access to data while out of the office;
- Senior citizens who have difficulty in using computers or viewing small screens or using a phone key pad;
- WAP or other small screen-based phone users who want to hear real Internet content versus reading limited, pre-packaged online information on a tiny screen;
About BluMail:
Blumail (www.blumail.org) is a simple site that fills an important need: provide free email accounts and a make-a-difference content, networking and activism portal for those gaining access to the Internet in emerging economies, and for those who are socially responsible in any country. The point of BluMail is to offer content, networking and actions that can improve someone’s life, rather than focus on entertainment, news, sports, or celebrity. By doing so, BluMail aligns with corporations, organizations and individuals who seek the betterment and engagement of humankind everywhere. For more information on BluMail, visit www.blumail.org or call 202 236 8400. , or call 408-532-8460.
About InternetSpeech:
InternetSpeech is the leader in voice Internet technology. Its voice/audio browser, netECHO®, provides consumers, businesses and Governments complete anytime, anywhere voice-based telephone access to the Internet. The company’s patented technology can be bundled with other products such as traditional computer-based Internet access, location-based services, or visual micro browsers. InternetSpeech also offers business software that automates the process of voice-enabling a company’s Web site and applications in any language, furthering the development of a globally-connected voice Internet. InternetSpeech, a privately held company headquartered in San Jose, Calif., launched netECHO in November 2000. For more information about InternetSpeech, visit www.internetspeech.com, or call 408-532-8460.
netECHO® is a registered trademark of InternetSpeech.
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