- At its GCP Next 2016 cloud user conference, Google (GOOG, GOOGL) has unveiled a Cloud Speech API that provides voice recognition services for third-party apps.
- The API supports 80+ languages, and can work in either real-time streaming and batch mode. Notably, Google (has made huge A.I./machine learning investments) says the API will rely on the same neural network powering voice search used by Google's search and keyboard apps. It will initially be free to use; Google plans to eventually charge, while offering low-cost pricing tiers.
- VR software leader Nuance (NUAN -4.2%), which claims an ecosystem of 30K+ developers, has sold off on the news. In December, Nuance unveiled its Mix platform, which provides developers working on mobile apps and IoT devices with SDKs that can be used to embed voice recognition and text-to-speech functionality.
- Also announced by Google: Cloud Machine Learning, a platform that allows developers using Google's cloud infrastructure to add A.I./machine learning functionality to their apps. The service could compete against IBM's Watson Developer Cloud platform.