Philips Releases SpeechMike Air

      

The latest product in Philips' SpeechMike line improves user experience by including new features such as a high-end microphone that is sensitive to background noise in the recording; an ergonomic design which reduces thumb movement and strain; a metallic slide switch button created to sustain more than one million movements to increase durability; and the ability to receive voice data wirelessly from up to 33 feet.

"SpeechMike Air is an efficiency tool that can help organizations with a high volume of documentation to be more productive and experience higher quality dictation," said Thomas Brauner, category leader for Philips Speech Processing. "Since we are constantly working to develop new products and technology to ensure that companies receive superior dictation results, this new device provides users with the ability to dictate without the worry of sound quality and without having to be confined to a single space with the device."

In addition to improved dictation recording and design, SpeechMike Air is built on Bluetooth technology, which provides a stable connection for constant dictation and proven wireless connections. The Bluetooth platform also stores dictation securely by encrypting the data and preventing other Bluetooth enabled devices from detecting SpeechMike Air.

"Since interruptions are unacceptable in the digital dictation environment, we wanted to develop a product that ensured that no dictation is lost," said Wolfgang Spannlang, product manager at Philips Speech Processing. "That is why we selected Bluetooth as a technology platform - Bluetooth connections are known for their resistance to radio interference, thus ensuring clear sound quality."

The full potential of the SpeechMike Air can be experienced in conjunction with the SpeechExec Pro and SpeechExec Enterprise dictation management solutions, or when integrated with industry systems. Created with a standard HID USB device, SpeechMike Air can be integrated with the use of a separate Software Development Kit (SDK).

Two versions of SpeechMike Air are currently available - one version is the standard device and the second version includes SpeechExec Pro Dictate software. The products are priced at $499 and $599, respectively.

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 116,000 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.

Philips Speech Processing
Rob Johnson, 770-821-2062
pds.marketing@philips.com
www.philips.com/dictation