IBM ViaVoice

Individual language editions may have different features, specifications, technical support, and microphone support. Some of the products or editions available are: • Advanced Edition, • Standard Edition, • Personal Edition, • ViaVoice for Mac OS X Edition, • Pro USB Edition, • Simple Dictation for Mac. The IBM Via Voice 98™ has been available in the Home, Office and Executive Edition in the following languages: Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish, UK English, US English. The Executive Edition allows you to dictate into most Windows applications and control them using your voice. Designed for Windows 95, 98 and NT 4.0, it has been working very well with Windows 7. In the Executive package are included: • original software and user guide on CD-ROM; • quality headset with microphone by Andrea Electronics Corporation™ with a converter plug for Sound Blaster™ sound cards and ThinkPad™; • printed voice command reference card; • telephone support for one month. ==History==

Prior to the development of ViaVoice, IBM launched a product in 1993 named the IBM Personal Dictation System (later renamed to VoiceType) which ran on Windows, AIX, and OS/2. In 1997, ViaVoice was first introduced to the general public. Two years later, in 1999, IBM released a free of charge version of ViaVoice. In 2003, IBM awarded ScanSoft, which owned the competitive product Dragon NaturallySpeaking, exclusive global distribution rights to ViaVoice Desktop products for Windows and Mac OS X. Two years later, Nuance merged with ScanSoft. ==See also==