Mommy, why do speech apps suck?

Talk about 'tude

Big cringe when I read this, billed as a "great ivr story". It was sad when i first heard of the practice years ago and now I find it repulsive, plus sad that its not condemned.

Speaking of bulls--t actions, here's a great exposition on the element of B.S. in Design. Unfortunately, this has carried over into VUI with the use of novelty song personas. You know, the ones that everyone talks about, but that drive you batty the 4th time you hear them. But, on the good side, its great to see more focus on the actual caller and their experience. Some companies are getting it right. But, damn, we still have a lot of work to do...

"How can I help you? Say Benefits or press 1"...

Ah, the utter crap that comes with arranged corporate marriages.

So, the New-ance will "offer more than 800 cumulative years of speech experience" (here). Now, I find that very uninspiring.

It took them 800 years to go from "say benefits or press 1" to "How can I help you?" (a phrase that was with us before technology and, oh, still doesn't get the job done). But in 800 years other humans moved from Ghengis Kahn to the world wide web. Somehow I don't see the same benefit from the new couple. But perhaps the sudden courtship will put an end to sniping at each other and keeping-up-with-the-joneses competition, at least publicy, and lead to real innovation in this still young UI area.

Suffice it to say the the "800 years" should impress very little. Doing it right is better than doing it a long time.

The Empire Strikes Back!!!

WOW! Hang on kids here comes ScaNuance or NuScan! I'm not sure this is healthy. And what about the rumors of IBM possibly setting up to buy the new conglomerate! Wouldn't THAT be a guarantee of quality!
Let's just hope that SSoft doesn't bury any more of the good technologies (like they did with Rhetorical).
Thoughts?