In addition, this will allow InfoSpace to develop other unique mobile offerings, such as speech-activated dialing. The Bellevue, Washington-based company has recently acquired a spate of companies in its bid to become the leader in wireless and broadband applications content. A graduate of the University of Roorkee and St. Xavier's School of Management, India, Mr Jain founded InfoSpace in April 1996 with the vision of delivering real Internet information - anytime, anywhere and on any device. He came to the United States from India in 1979 and joined Microsoft Corporation in 1989. He worked there till March 1996 when he left to start InfoSpace.

"By definition, speech is a great interaction medium for wireless phones and other mobile devices, and we're thrilled to add Locus Dialogue's proven speech recognition technologies and products to InfoSpace's wireless platform, which will increase user penetration rates and the discoverability and usability of our new features, for our carriers' wireless Internet offerings," said Mr Arun Sarin, InfoSpace CEO. Locus Dialogue has already deployed its technology through products distributed by large telecommunication providers, including SBC Communications, Bell Canada, and Williams Communications Solutions.

At a time when the international adoption of wireless communication devices is rapidly accelerating, Locus Dialogue's speech recognition technologies and products are uniquely suited for global deployment, InfoSpace believes.

Locus Dialogue's core technologies and applications have been in development for more than 14 years and have earned numerous industry awards, including honors from Computer Telephony Expo 2000.

IANS