Philips Unveils the Third-Generation of SpeechMike Dictation Devices

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Philips Speech Processing, a leading manufacturer of mobile and stationary dictation systems, today announced the release of the third-generation of its SpeechMike audio recording devices. The latest version of the wired dictation device series incorporates essential new functions and design elements that were previously limited to the wireless SpeechMike Air.

“We are constantly looking for ways to improve all of our products based on our customers’ needs and feedback”

“We are constantly looking for ways to improve all of our products based on our customers’ needs and feedback,” says Wolfgang Spannlang, product manager at Philips Speech Processing. “By updating the design and functions of the SpeechMike product line, we know that users will be able to dictate with greater ease – essential to dictating in a professional environment.”

The redesigned model includes updates designed to enhance the user’s experience. The device will now have an antimicrobial surface which offers important medical advances in hygiene. This new housing impedes the reproduction of microorganisms, which is important for use in a clinical environment and will also benefit individuals with allergies. One technology update is the noise-reduction technology that almost completely eliminates noise interference resulting in a distinct improvement in the accuracy of voice recognition systems.

The updated line features ergonomically-designed elements created to help the user more easily dictate in their environment. These updates include:

An increased size of dictation function buttons, which creates a more ergonomic form and facilitates fast and convenient thumb control.
A newly positioned trackball with a laser sensor, which allows precise cursor movements and contains an integrated confirmation button for simple control of PC functions and can be used to control volume.
An integrated LED indicator, which shows users the current recording status in different colors so users can avoid errors in post-correction of a voice recording.

The third-generation SpeechMike series also raises the bar in cross-system collaboration by fully integrating with Dragon NaturallySpeaking, the voice recognition solution from Nuance. It is also compatible with all of Philips’ speech management solutions such as the dictation management software, SpeechExec^SR Pro Dictate, which allows the integration of dictation, transcription and voice recognition in a single application; and with Philips Remote Device Manager, which can be used for central configuration of the SpeechMike settings. The current software development kit, SpeechMike SDK 2.7, enables developers to integrate the SpeechMike in further software environments, including medical or legal information systems.

“All of these updates were made to ensure that our dictation devices not only benefited the individual user but entire institutions,” says Gerhard Podhradsky, head of development at Philips Speech Processing. “Through all of these innovations, Philips continues to create dictation devices that can be used by a variety of companies, not just the medicine or the legal field. We know that all organizations with high-text volume – such as in business, scientific institutions, or government agencies – can benefit from our systems.”

The new generation of SpeechMike will be available in two versions – push button or slide switch to control dictation functions – beginning September 2010. All designs are also available with a barcode scanner, so information can be read directly from patient or client files and assigned with exact precision to the relevant file.

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 digital and analogue 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 23 billion in 2009, 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.