Pantech has selected speech solutions from Nuance Communications to power its PG-6200, PG-8000 and PG-3700 handsets in multiple languages, including Russian, English and Mandarin Chinese.

Pantech's new GSM models include RealSpeak Mobile SF from Nuance to convert text into highly intelligible, synthesized speech. RealSpeak Mobile is embedded in devices to deliver high-quality text-to-speech readout of SMS and email messages.

“Phones have always been a natural for speech technology, but until recently handsets lacked the processing power and memory to make it work,” said Craig Peddie, vice president, Embedded Speech Solutions, Nuance. “Today this has changed, and there are now 50 million phones shipping with Nuance speech technologies. Our technology is cost effective, accurate, easy to use, and easy to integrate, providing value for the user, the manufacturer and the operator.”

More than 30 manufacturers worldwide have implemented Nuance solutions in more than 50 million devices around the world, including cellular phones, smart phones and PDAs. Its current customer portfolio includes many of the leaders in the wireless and device industries, including LG Electronics, Motorola, NEC, Analog Devices, Agere Systems, Hitachi, Intel, Mitsubishi Electric, Samsung, Panasonic, Qualcomm and Texas Instruments.