by Aswathi P P (Software Programmer, Excellone Technologies)

Voice XML application is an XML application that defines a treelike structure that the user can traverse through using voice commands. Voice XML Document Type Definition (DTD) is the document defining the grammar of valid voice XML- application. The text-to-speech and speech-to-text processing engine that runs on the server, is the core component of Voice XML application. Voice XML is enabled with two types of dialogues, forms and menus that the application uses to interface with the user. The form is used to present information to a user or to retrieve information from the user, while the menu is a specialized form that forces the user to choose a specific option and then a branch based on the chosen option. The element contains a direction that indicates the application where to jump, based on the user’s input. A menu uses multiple elements, which allows the user to select the one he wants.

The potential software applications of voice XML include, voice access to stock quotes, movie and restaurant listing and daily news. These voice portals will eventually offer access to mail.

Futuristic advantages of this technology include FCC mandated E911 positioning or even a GPS in the handset for driving direction that will take you through the twists and turns needed to reach a destination.

Voice XML, the well structured, uniform way to build logic trees that customers can use to access the information of interest to them, came up due to the displeasure of some members of software technology community to textual wireless interfaces like WAP. Voice XML application can better deliver a specific pinpointed bit of information to the end user.