The Java Speech API was developed through an open-standards process, with significant contributions from leading platform, speech and Java technology vendors (endorsements from API partners and leading speech technology vendors in addendum).

"The Java Speech API extends the Java platform to address the growing demand of developers who want to create cutting-edge solutions that target the burgeoning speech technology marketplace," said Jon Kannegaard, vice president and general manager of the Java Platform for Sun's Java Software.

Java Speech API enables developers to create applications for desktop productivity, application management, speech-enabled interfaces for users with disabilities, web page enhancement, dictation and proofreading, and telephony call center applications.

For more information on the Java Speech API visit http://java.sun.com/products/java-media/speech/

"The Java Speech API is an important step forward for the speech recognition industry as it specifies a vendor-neutral and cross-platform interface for development and deployment of speech-enabled solutions," said Janet Baker, President & Co-Founder of Dragon Systems.

"Availability of the 1.0 release of the Java Speech API is a major milestone for our industry effort to make Speech technologies pervasive in desktop, mobile and enterprise solutions," said W.S.

"The Java Speech API cross-platform interface for development of speech-enabled solutions is an important milestone for Philips Speech Processing, and is in line with our mission to provide leading speech technology across all markets (IT, Telephony and Consumer Electronics)," said Paul Celen, COO of Philips Speech Processing.

"The Java Speech API enables you to start talking with systems that increase customer profitability, raise employee productivity, and improve customer/supplier relationships as well as other uniquely strategic applications," said John Earle, President Chant Inc.

"We see the Java Speech API as a very useful technology.

"Sun's JAVA Speech API is important to Inroad because it provides a standard non-proprietary way for third parties to develop speech-enabled applications," said Gregg Brown President and CEO of Inroad.