Say Goodbye to Your Mouse, Keyboard, and Phone Number - Voice Control Is
    Finally Taking Over 
From: EurekAlert - September 11, 2003
 
In an overview of speech technology, Lawrence R. Rabiner of Rutgers
University's Center for Advanced Information Processing predicts that speech
recognition and voice control technology will render keyboards, remote
controls, and phone numbers archaic within 10 years, and transform life in
the home and the workplace. "We are rapidly approaching the point where
entering data to devices by voice - regardless of language or accent - will
be as accurate and efficient as entering it by keypad or mouse," he declares.
"The idea of 'going to work' to get things done will change to 'getting
things done' no matter where you are." Rabiner notes that advances in voice
control will stem from new abilities to consolidate and transfer vast amounts
of computer code without overtaxing network capacity, while the physical
shrinkage of technology will support a migration away from manual controls.
He believes security will be upgraded with the advent of speech-based
authentication, while household appliances such as entertainment centers will
be operated by voice instead of by remote or hand. In the next five to 10
years, Rabiner foresees network accessibility and voice control being
extended to virtually all office and household devices; more convenient
shopping, home activities, and scheduling through the use of voice-controlled
agents; and phone calls based on name rather than number. Rabiner presents
his views as part of a broad examination of speech processing in the
September 12, 2003 issue of Science. 

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2003-09/rtsu-sgt090803.php