Talk to Your Browser 
ConversIt enables voice-activated Web surfing.
by James A. Martin, special to PC World 

From: PC World News - February 24, 1999

Conversational Systems of San Diego recently unveiled ConversIt, which the
company claims is the first voice-based, two-way dialog assistant for the
Internet. ConversIt is aimed at inexperienced home users who aren't
comfortable yet surfing the Web, as well as advanced users looking for ways
to reduce their typing or more efficiently browse the Internet. It's slated
to be available for purchase from Conversational Systems' Web site in late
March for $39.95. 

Unlike text-based search engines, ConversIt employs natural language
technology, intelligent search agents and interactive voice recognition to
help you find information on the Web. To use ConversIt, launch the utility
and a browser, and then using the included microphone, ask a question or make
a request, such as "I want to buy a CD online." 

ConversIt might respond with a question of its own, such as "Do you want to
buy a classical or a pop music CD?" It's the software's way of finding the
most appropriate Web site or interpreting the results. Once the agent finds
the content you requested, it posts the appropriate URL to your default
browser.  

You can also use ConversIt to create voice-activated macros, so you can do
tasks such as launching Microsoft Word by speaking into your microphone.  

According to Dean Weber, president and chief executive officer of
Conversational Systems, online content providers are expected to add
ConversIt voice-enabling to their sites, so that users can drill down without
typing. Weber wouldn't say which providers are expected to offer that level
of ConversIt voice interaction, pending final agreements. 

To use ConversIt, you need at least a Pentium-166 PC with 32MB of RAM, 100MB
of available hard disk space, a Sound Blaster-compatible sound card, and
speakers.

http://www.conversationalsys.com/