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Post by Xon on Apr 4, 2005 12:58:44 GMT -5
Software Firm Makes Leap in Communication
OSLO, Norway (AP) — Norway's Opera Software ASA (search) couldn't resist the temptation of an April Fool's joke heralding a breakthrough in peer-to-peer communications.
The company said it has developed "a platform-independent speech solution for short- and medium-range interpersonal communication."
In plain language: human speech.
Opera said in an April Fool's release that the so-called breakthrough, "Opera SoundWave," has a range of 100 feet and could be easily tested without special equipment simply by asking someone near you a question, such as "Is today April Fool's Day?"
The statement went on to say that "Opera's patent-pending P2P speech technology uses analog signals carried through open air, enabling users to communicate in real-time without the use of computers or mobile phones."
It went on to say SoundWave was discovered accidentally when an Opera technician said something and realized his colleague understood.
"Like most people, I have used e-mail as my primary means of communication for many years and accepted that it is not always 100 percent effective," said Trond Werner Hansen, of Opera, in the statement. "SoundWave has opened up a whole new world for me, enabling me to get things done faster and more efficiently than before — and it is remarkably easy to use."
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