Sources say Microsoft near deal to buy TellMe
March 13th, 2007Microsoft is close to acquiring privately held TellMe Networks, a maker of products that bridge the worlds of speech recognition and the Internet, CNET News.com has learned.
The deal is expected to be completed and announced later this week, according to sources familiar with the companies’ plans.
Mountain View, Calif.-based TellMe is best known for its service that lets people get Internet information over the telephone, but the company also has a variety of services that businesses can use to offer automated data and directory assistance information via the phone.
A Microsoft representative said the Redmond, Wash., company does not comment on rumors and speculation. Tellme spokeswoman Megan Dyer said “we’re still privately held and independent” but declined to comment on any discussions with Microsoft.
In addition to TellMe’s existing products, the company has been testing a host of new products tied to the cell phone, including a program that allows users to say what it is they want and have the information sent back to their cell phone as data. Another new product lets people send Tellme a text message with a request, say “pizza places in San Francisco,” and get a text message back with options.