Microsoft Corp. today announced at the 2004 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) plans to expand the current capabilities and availability of its popular Microsoft® Voice Command software for mobile devices.

Voice Command — which allows users of Windows Mobile™ 2003-based Pocket PC or Pocket PC Phone Edition to experience effortless, intelligent voice interaction with their phone, contacts, calendar, Windows Media® Player and other favorite applications — has been so well received by consumers that Microsoft announced recent momentum and new developments including these:

• Best-selling application on Handango.com. In its first month of availability on Handango.com, the leading publisher of mobile software, Microsoft's Voice Command was ranked the No. 1 best-selling application for Windows Mobile-based Pocket PCs, and the No. 2 best-selling application across all mobile platforms.
• Free trial version. In response to consumer feedback, Microsoft is offering a free one-day trial version of Voice Command for those who want to try before they buy the product. The trial copies will be available to consumers through the company's online retail partner Handango.com.
• International language support. Microsoft will offer Voice Command, already popular among English speakers, in several foreign languages and make it available outside the United States by the end of the year.
• Smartphone support. When the next Windows Mobile-based Smartphones become available, consumers will be able to experience firsthand the benefits of Voice Command to see what has everyone talking.
• Retail availability. Consumers will soon be able to acquire a boxed version of Voice Command from traditional brick-and-mortar retail locations in addition to the downloadable version from Handango.com.
• Partner collaboration. Capitalizing on the product's success, several industry partners will offer Voice Command with complementary products. For example, Plantronics Inc. will package Voice Command with one of its hands-free headsets.