Fonix Corp.'s Fonix Speech Inc. has debuted Fonix iSpeak 1.4, a voice recognition application for the Apple iPhone 3.0 operating system.

Fonix iSpeak provides voice dial by name or number with speech recognition software that works even in noisy environments and voice confirmation using recorded speech together with text-to-speech. Fonix iSpeak allows for nearly hands-free use, no buttons to hold while speaking and integration of names and numbers from users' contact list.

"Fonix iSpeak is designed to give the user the ability to easily make a telephone call on a hands-free basis so the user doesn't have to go through the complicated process of looking up a contact or phone number," said Lynn Shepard, senior vice president of product development and engineering at Fonix, Lindon, UT.

"With iSpeak the user could say, ?Call Dan Butcher at work' or ?Dial a number' followed by ?8015536600,'" he said.

"The product includes a pleasant professional voice for prompts and FonixTalk text-to-speech for names."

Specializing in embedded speech interfaces for mobile devices, handheld electronic products, video game systems and processors, Fonix has been creating and selling applications and SDKs in the mobile space for 10 years.

Fonix Corp. operates through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Fonix Speech Inc. and operation support system provider Shanghai Gaozhi Software Systems Ltd.

Fonix Speech is a speech recognition and text-to-speech technology company providing voice services for mobile devices, interactive video games, toys and appliances, computer telephony systems, the assistive market and automotive telematics.

Fonix Speech also provides developers and manufacturers with cost-effective speech solutions to enhance devices and systems.

Fonix claims that iSpeak is more accurate than the Voice Control software in the iPhone 3G S.

Fonix iSpeak 1.4 for iPhone includes new features and functions such as an expanded number of contacts, voice prompts with improved output sound and compatibility with Apple's new iPhone 3.0 audio functionality.

After updating to the new iPhone 3.0 OS, current iSpeak users can get a free update to iSpeak 1.4. The Voice Control software on the new iPhone 3G S is not available for 2G and 3G phones.

Fonix iSpeak runs on the device, processing the speech signal through an off-site server in an attempt to eliminate time delays.

The program does not record names and numbers on a public server. It does not require holding buttons on the iPhone when in use.

Fonix iSpeak 1.4 is available in the Productivity or Utilities category of the App Store for $2.99. The company is promoting the app on its Web site.

"The target demographic is anyone who makes calls in an automobile, or needs to make a call hands-free, or wants to make the process of calling a contact simpler and faster," Mr. Shepard said.