I can see how speech technology is very important. On my consider list.

Picked up 2 April 2011 17 Calls.

Why Apple Should Buy Nuance
http://gigaom.com/2010/11/23/why-apple-should-buy-nuance/

From Nov 24:

Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak pulled a mea cuppa Tuesday, backpedaling from an earlier statement that Apple (AAPL) was purchasing voice recognition software maker Nuance Communications (NUAN).

But despite proclaiming he was "totally wrong," according to a Reuters report, Nuance's shares jumped as high as 12.2% to a new 52-week high of $19.19 during intraday trading before settling back at the close to end the day at $17.75 a share.

See full article from DailyFinance: http://www.dailyfinance.com/story/wozniak-apple-nuance-deal-error/19732061/...

Y! Finance: sixgunsammy:
"arrogance for one, Apple believes (rightly or not) that they can kick anyone's rear end. ... Instead of looking at it from a margin perspective, you lose the cog in a one time acquisition, disproportionately attribute the acquisition cost to a business unit you know you are going to 86 anyway, they right off the price tag. Now your licensing cost are gone and you have free reign on the technology."
http://bit.ly/e5rXVX

NUAN's Communications' Dragon Tool rated the tool of the week at Barrons. The article below was generated using this tool:

Science-fiction movies long ago did away with keyboards and mice in favor of people speaking to the computer. A few hardy souls, including those with injuries that make typing difficult, already do this?but it's neither easy nor especially common. This version of Nuance Communications' Dragon Dictate makes it so, and it's a huge improvement over earlier versions.

I am testing the software on my Mac, and writing this entire column using it. So far, I have seen no spelling or punctuation mistakes, though a burst of heavier- than-usual breathing combined with the ring of a telephone produced a spurt of accidental words.

But as powerful as the speech-recognition engine is, the editing function is every bit as impressive. I assumed that if I gave the command delete, it might delete the previous word, or it might write out the word "delete." I found I could control which the software did by using different tones when I said the word. A firm-spoken "delete" brought up editing. If I said the word more softly, and in the context of a sentence, it added the word to the text.

Nuance Communications' Dragon Dictate
Price: $199.99
Features: Can be used with just about any and every computer application and program.
Website: www.nuance.com

NUAN technology in new cars:

Nuance Drives Conversational Voice Interface with New Toyota Entune(TM)
9:15a ET January 4, 2011 (Business Wire)

Nuance Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: NUAN) today announced that its innovative one-shot command automotive voice capabilities power the voice recognition in the new Toyota Entune(TM) multimedia system announced today at CES. Toyota Entune combines the power of mobile phone applications and Bluetooth to create a richer in-vehicle experience, while helping provide consumers with the ability to stay more safely connected. Customers just download the Entune mobile application and pair a Bluetooth-capable phone with an equipped Toyota vehicle, where they can begin to search, retrieve, play and navigate a variety of personalized content and services, simply by using their voice.

Toyota Entune features Nuance's intuitive conversational voice capabilities that enable flexible, one-shot voice commands for dialing, navigation destination entry and other features. By integrating Nuance's natural and intuitive voice technology, Toyota consumers can interact with Entune while keeping their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.

"Today's mobile consumer always wants to be connected, no matter where they are or what they are doing. With Entune, we are enabling our customers to safely engage a robust multimedia system with industry-leading natural and intuitive voice recognition from Nuance," said Jon Bucci, vice president of the Advanced Technology Department at Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A, Inc.

"The Toyota Entune multimedia system combines Toyota's automotive innovation with Nuance's proven and trusted voice technology to deliver a smarter, safer in-car experience for consumers," said Arnd Weil, vice president and general manager, Nuance Automotive. "Our advancements in conversational voice recognition and one-shot commands make it possible for today's mobile consumer to quickly and easily find music, get directions and make phone calls, while minimizing dangerous visual and manual distractions."

Availability

Toyota Entune will be available as an option on select models later in 2011. To learn more, visit Toyota at www.toyota.com or www.toyotanewsroom.com/entune.

Nuance's automotive solutions, which power the speech recognition and text-to-speech capabilities of more than 30 million automobiles and 30 million personal navigation devices from the world's leading brands, provide a compelling integrated platform for today's leading auto manufacturers -- empowering them to deliver smarter, safer interfaces for engaging today's embedded and connected in-car systems and content.

I actually hear that is a very god stock in general but I do hear that they are selling milk below cost.

Nuance Voice-Enables Ford SYNC AppLink Apps
8:00a ET January 5, 2011 (Business Wire)

Nuance Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: NUAN) today announced that its voice technology powering the innovative Ford SYNC system is available as part of the Ford SYNC AppLink SDK. Now, any third-party developer can create a Nuance-powered voice user interface for any smartphone application developed for use by SYNC -- unleashing a new ecosystem of applications that enable a safer, smarter driving experience. Ford's SYNC AppLink software allows for hands-free voice control of popular smartphone applications for iOS, Android and BlackBerry via Ford SYNC.

Nuance just introduced FLEXT9 and android app for mobile users whether they speak, trace, write, tap ? or all of the above.

Goldman Sachs raises price target to $20 from $17.50

don't call it a comeback! I like the idea, and apparently the PC software is very good, although the iOS version really sucks. Regardless of the AAPL buyout possibilities, I think there's plenty of upside.

Only thing that really worries me right now is the apparent teetering going on in the overall market. Feels like we're due for a big letdown shortly here.

Good to hear about the Goldman Sachs price target of $20.

I have not used the iOS version so thanks for the heads up. As to the stock, yes the general worries in the market are real and could bring down many stocks. It is something everyone should worry about. I have put stops at $17.7.

Nuance used in New Cars.

HARMAN, the premium audio and infotainment company (NYSE:HAR), and Nuance (NASDAQ:NUAN), the leading provider of speech solutions, are increasing the safe use and enjoyment of media-rich information and entertainment systems in the car by seamlessly integrating the latest in intuitive, speech-activated command and control technologies with HARMAN in-car media and audio platforms.

Looking good today. My April Calls are up 25%.

Moving up! Still long on NUAN.

Speech recognition apps maker Nuance (NUAN +0.2%) hits a 52-week high, exceeding the prior $20.60/share peak. And UBS is upbeat about the firm, seeing benefits from speech adoption acceleration in handsets, cars, and among mobile health care workers

Do you see this stock as a hold above these levels? Would you be adding to your position?

The stock is expected to hold above these levels. UBS has moved its target to $25.

In general the stock hass been showing support around $19.82 and resistance in the $20.96 range.

Overall, the stock will do well in 2011.

I would wait to see if there is a downturn in market in January to buy additional shares.

Now Dragon Mobile SDK for iOS and Android is available via a new self-service website

I keep thinking about all that excess cash that AAPL has.

Indeed, it may be time for AAPL to go shopping. No word yet on this, but with JOBS out they may need new forms of strength.

NUAN moving into voice prints as a from of security.
http://seekingalpha.com/news-article/481287-nuance-advances-voice-biometric...

Nuan is still a good stock!

Nuance-enabled voice technologies are used in:

1. Cell phones
2. Automobile voice communication systems
3. Heath care services, including transcription
4. GPS devices
5. Smart phones
6. Tablets

Thus the demand is clear.

The stock went down as their subscription model was not correct and thus they were punished by the market.

The stock may also be a takeover target.

Regardless, there will be more growth (deman) in health care as the HITECH Act, which "contains incentives related to health care information technology in general (e.g. creation of a national health care infrastructure) and contains specific incentives designed to accelerate the adoption of electronic health record (EHR) systems among providers" is instituted.

This stock stands to benefit as a result.

Nuance Communications is up after Soleil Securities says NUAN is a likely partner with Apple for voice recognition technology in the iOS 5.

Nuance Communications (NUAN +7.9%) shares jump to an all-time high on a weekend report discussing a potential partnership with Apple (AAPL +0.1%). Analysts believe the talks are likely focused on an expanded licensing deal for Nuance's speech-recognition technology rather than an outright acquisition, at least for now.

Nuance is already IBM's voice technology partner. Nuance techology is set to be used in Apple's OS.

NUAN to acquire Equitrac

Came across twitter as the bell rung.

Nuance getting closer to investment grade
Moody's Investors Service upgraded Nuance Communications Inc.'s (NUAN) junk-level ratings one notch, citing the successful integration of numerous acquisitions.

The ratigns firm raised Nuance's corporate family and probability of default ratings to Ba2--two steps below investment grade--from Ba3. The outlook is stable.

Moody's said "the upgrade reflects Nuance's continued progress in its evolution to a large broad-based voice recognition and imaging company, successful integration of numerous acquisitions and our expectation that while acquisitive, Nuance will continue to sustain leverage under 3.5 (times) on a proforma basis."

However, Moody's said another ratings upgrade is unlikely in the near to medium term, given Nuance's acquisition appetite and competitive pressures in the voice-recognition industry.

Last month, the maker of software that converts speech into text reported it swung to a fiscal second-quarter profit as strong bookings in the health-care business more than offset rising operating costs. Nuance also disclosed the acquisition of printing-services software provider Equitrac Corp. for $157 million in cash.

Shares were recently trading 1.8% higher at $20.49. The stock has risen 19% over the past year