(IDG) -- LAS VEGAS -- Most speech-recognition software lets you dictate into word processors, and a few add command-and-control capability so you can issue navigational commands to your PC ("Open Excel" and so on). SoHo Talk's Say...Do Assistant seeks to take speech software even further by offering a suite of common business applications that run entirely by voice command.

Announced at Comdex and due to ship early next year for under $150, Say...Do Assistant includes modules for project planning, contact management, time and billing, faxing, e-mail, scheduling, telephone control, and word processing.

The program's contact manager interacts with several popular packages, including Symantec's Act, Microsoft Outlook, and Goldmine. There's even a "Cooler Conversations" module that supposedly lets you carry on casual conversations with the program's virtual assistant, Marnie.

The first version of the package works with Dragon Systems' Naturally Speaking, but the vendor says Say...Do may support other voice-recognition software later.

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Related IDG.net stories: Note: Pages will open in a new browser window IDG.net's Comdex news page Updated continuously during the event PC World's Comdex page What's new in PC products Talk to your PC (PC World Online) Is voice recognition ready for prime time? (PC World Online) NaturallySpeaking: Voice-recognition breakthrough (PC World Online)
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