Advanced Recognition Technologies Inc, of Chatsworth, California, has announced both speech and handwriting recognition software for palmtop computers running Windows CE. The company has announced its SmartWriter CE Plus product, which combines handwriting recognition software with a drawing utility in one package. CE users can use the software to write anywhere on the screen and have written words appear at the cursor position in any application that supports text input. The company claims that with a few minutes of training, the product can recognize a user’s natural handwriting. Original drawings can also be added to notes or Pocket Word documents. ART’s ArtRecognition product offers users the ability to use voice commands to open files, launch applications, dial phone calls, send emails or faxes to various listed parties. A separate command can also be used to activate the device’s own voice recorder and attach spoken messages to an email. It is not a dictation application, however and cannot generate text. It comes bundled with the handwriting recognition capabilities as well, making it the only such product available ART claims. The company, which was founded with venture capital money in 1990 and uses technology developed by the Israeli military, claims to be the only ones offering any speech recognition software for handhelds. It introduced it first products last year and promises more announcements later this summer. SmartWriter CE Plus goes for $70 and ArtRecognition costs $60 and both products are available now.
