Microsoft acquires Tellme Networks

Microsoft announced its acquisition of speech-recognition services provider Tellme Networks. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, although analysts agree the purchase price was in the neighborhood of $800 million. The acquisition is expected close in the second quarter of 2007; Tellme will join the Microsoft Business Division, but continue to operate from its Mountain View, Calif., headquarters.

According to Microsoft, the acquisition will open up potential avenues of development including mobile search services and hosted voice-enabled customer service solutions. Tellme's technology should also bolster the software giant's existing voice-enabled applications, including mobile apps like Windows Mobile and Windows Automotive.

"Tellme was founded with the idea that anyone should be able to simply say what they want and get it from any device, starting with the phone," said Tellme co-founder and CEO Mike McCue in a prepared statement. "Now, with Microsoft, we'll be able to extend that vision to millions of businesses and consumers around the world."

For more on the Microsoft/Tellme deal:
- read this release

Related articles:
- Sprint launches Microsoft-branded mobile search
- Microsoft joins mobile search ad club