December 13, 2001

'We're Losing the Giants Game. Divert All Power to Volume!'

By ANDREW ZIPERN

   R eal couch potatoes know the hard truth about channel surfing: it can
   be murder on the fingers. A new remote control called the inVoca can
   assist by translating vocal commands into infrared signals that
   control TV, VCR, DVD, satellite dish and other components of a home
   entertainment center.

   The gadget's maker says that once the inVoca recognizes its operator's
   voice, it can change channels, control volume, and operate other
   devices simply by receiving commands in any language and with any
   accent.

   The inVoca can also be programmed to execute macro commands, a
   sequence of commands set in motion by a single spoken word. To tape a
   program the old-fashioned way, for example, requires turning on the
   television and the VCR and programming the channel and time. A macro
   command would allow you to do all this with a single spoken command.

   The remote can be set up to recognize four different voices, so that
   the whole family can save themselves any unnecessary physical
   exertion. Priced at $50 for the standard model and $69.96 for the
   deluxe, the inVoca will soon be available at J. C. Penney and Neiman
   Marcus (news/quote). Unfortunately, the company has yet to come up
   with a voice-activated way to make someone go to the store and buy it
   for you.

      Copyright 2001 The New York Times Company | Privacy Information

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