Comments on: SpinVox Translates Voice-to-Text Service Into A $100 Million Round http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/20/spinvox-translates-voice-to-text-service-into-a-100-million-round/ Startup and Technology News Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:36:44 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Sahara http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/20/spinvox-translates-voice-to-text-service-into-a-100-million-round/#comment-2146219 Sahara Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:32:45 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/20/spinvox-translates-voice-to-text-service-into-a-100-million-round/#comment-2146219 Is it really technology Is it really technology

]]> By: Liam http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/20/spinvox-translates-voice-to-text-service-into-a-100-million-round/#comment-2052943 Liam Wed, 26 Mar 2008 15:26:03 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/20/spinvox-translates-voice-to-text-service-into-a-100-million-round/#comment-2052943 Personally, I was disappointed with Spinvox. Orange pushed it on to me and there was no explanation what the service was, how much it cost, who Spinvox were... Then the transcriptions were pretty useless, with lots of blanks, question marks and a wide variety of interesting and creative interpretations of my name "Liam". I cancelled; after which I lost all Voicemail services from Orange. So no, no thank you, not on my voicemail nor my inbox. Personally, I was disappointed with Spinvox. Orange pushed it on to me and there was no explanation what the service was, how much it cost, who Spinvox were… Then the transcriptions were pretty useless, with lots of blanks, question marks and a wide variety of interesting and creative interpretations of my name “Liam”.

I cancelled; after which I lost all Voicemail services from Orange.

So no, no thank you, not on my voicemail nor my inbox.

]]> By: tech-talk.biz » Blog Archive » SpinVox: Do just one thing but do it right http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/20/spinvox-translates-voice-to-text-service-into-a-100-million-round/#comment-2050960 tech-talk.biz » Blog Archive » SpinVox: Do just one thing but do it right Tue, 25 Mar 2008 15:36:13 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/20/spinvox-translates-voice-to-text-service-into-a-100-million-round/#comment-2050960 [...] SpinVox Translates Voice-to-Text Service Into A $100 Million Round mentions “The 31-year-old CEO, Christina Domecq (a member of the liquor family of the same [...] [...] SpinVox Translates Voice-to-Text Service Into A $100 Million Round mentions “The 31-year-old CEO, Christina Domecq (a member of the liquor family of the same [...]

]]> By: Ofer http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/20/spinvox-translates-voice-to-text-service-into-a-100-million-round/#comment-2048364 Ofer Sat, 22 Mar 2008 16:35:09 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/20/spinvox-translates-voice-to-text-service-into-a-100-million-round/#comment-2048364 Technology vs. Service $100M round is great news for SpinVox. But is also an indication about their technology basis or lack of technology. They need the money to fuel their service which is great. However, people should not confuse this with a working technology for speaker independent transcription. See further on this issue at http://speechanalytics.blogspot.com/ Technology vs. Service

$100M round is great news for SpinVox. But is also an indication about their technology basis or lack of technology. They need the money to fuel their service which is great. However, people should not confuse this with a working technology for speaker independent transcription.

See further on this issue at http://speechanalytics.blogspot.com/

]]> By: bradyo http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/20/spinvox-translates-voice-to-text-service-into-a-100-million-round/#comment-2047886 bradyo Fri, 21 Mar 2008 22:41:40 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/20/spinvox-translates-voice-to-text-service-into-a-100-million-round/#comment-2047886 I've been using SpinVox for a year now--I am not an employee or shareholder, just a user. I love this product and consider it a must-have business tool. I used to sit in business meetings and watch my phone vibrate when a call came in, wondering what the caller had on his/her mind. Now, I get an e-mailed transcription of the voicemail sent to my phone within a few minutes that I can read without disturbing the meeting. Sure, sometimes the transcripts get the names of people and places hilariously wrong, but accuracy is generally very high. I can't imagine doing business without it. I’ve been using SpinVox for a year now–I am not an employee or shareholder, just a user. I love this product and consider it a must-have business tool. I used to sit in business meetings and watch my phone vibrate when a call came in, wondering what the caller had on his/her mind. Now, I get an e-mailed transcription of the voicemail sent to my phone within a few minutes that I can read without disturbing the meeting. Sure, sometimes the transcripts get the names of people and places hilariously wrong, but accuracy is generally very high. I can’t imagine doing business without it.

]]> By: xxdesmus http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/20/spinvox-translates-voice-to-text-service-into-a-100-million-round/#comment-2047554 xxdesmus Fri, 21 Mar 2008 15:21:35 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/20/spinvox-translates-voice-to-text-service-into-a-100-million-round/#comment-2047554 Why not include a link to Callwave that also does something very similar (and for free)? Why not include a link to Callwave that also does something very similar (and for free)?

]]> By: unitedBIT’s RoundUp » Blog Archive » SpinVox grabs $100 Million for transcribing voicemails into text http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/20/spinvox-translates-voice-to-text-service-into-a-100-million-round/#comment-2047355 unitedBIT’s RoundUp » Blog Archive » SpinVox grabs $100 Million for transcribing voicemails into text Fri, 21 Mar 2008 10:28:17 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/20/spinvox-translates-voice-to-text-service-into-a-100-million-round/#comment-2047355 [...] more at TechCrunch Tags: deal, spinvox, text, voicemailPosted under Deal RoundUp, Web 2.0 [...] [...] more at TechCrunch Tags: deal, spinvox, text, voicemailPosted under Deal RoundUp, Web 2.0 [...]

]]> By: Mike Butcher http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/20/spinvox-translates-voice-to-text-service-into-a-100-million-round/#comment-2047302 Mike Butcher Fri, 21 Mar 2008 08:35:33 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/20/spinvox-translates-voice-to-text-service-into-a-100-million-round/#comment-2047302 FYI - My understanding is that Spinvox is both people and technology. An algorithm translates the voicemail but if - in the minority of cases - it is unintelligible it pops-up in a call Centre in South Africa for a human to transcribe. Some say that model doesn't scale, but I guess it depends on how good the software can become. FYI - My understanding is that Spinvox is both people and technology. An algorithm translates the voicemail but if - in the minority of cases - it is unintelligible it pops-up in a call Centre in South Africa for a human to transcribe. Some say that model doesn’t scale, but I guess it depends on how good the software can become.

]]> By: Alex http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/20/spinvox-translates-voice-to-text-service-into-a-100-million-round/#comment-2047215 Alex Fri, 21 Mar 2008 05:43:14 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/20/spinvox-translates-voice-to-text-service-into-a-100-million-round/#comment-2047215 JESUS! 1) After recovering from my fainting episode of reading this story I recovered to my feet with the question of - WHY would Goldman Sachs invest in this company. Answer the CEO's family is probably a very large client of Goldman. 2) This valuation is CRAZY! But, I have to tip my hat to the company. According to TechCrunch UK the company generated $865,000 revenue in '06. Let's be aggressive and say that they grew revenue to $5,000,000 in '07. That equals a valuation of 100X revenue. HUH!!!!! JESUS!

1) After recovering from my fainting episode of reading this story I recovered to my feet with the question of - WHY would Goldman Sachs invest in this company. Answer the CEO’s family is probably a very large client of Goldman.

2) This valuation is CRAZY! But, I have to tip my hat to the company. According to TechCrunch UK the company generated $865,000 revenue in ‘06. Let’s be aggressive and say that they grew revenue to $5,000,000 in ‘07. That equals a valuation of 100X revenue. HUH!!!!!

]]> By: Robin Wauters http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/20/spinvox-translates-voice-to-text-service-into-a-100-million-round/#comment-2047145 Robin Wauters Fri, 21 Mar 2008 04:09:13 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/20/spinvox-translates-voice-to-text-service-into-a-100-million-round/#comment-2047145 Amazing. TechCrunch UK breaks this story before Reuters confirms it, hearing it from a panel member at the conference I organized in Brussels, Plugg. http://uk.techcrunch.com/2008/03/19/it-looks-like-spinvox-has-raised-50m/ You still credit Reuters and don't even link to the exclusive on TCUK ... Amazing. TechCrunch UK breaks this story before Reuters confirms it, hearing it from a panel member at the conference I organized in Brussels, Plugg.

http://uk.techcrunch.com/2008/.....aised-50m/

You still credit Reuters and don’t even link to the exclusive on TCUK …

]]> By: Nat http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/20/spinvox-translates-voice-to-text-service-into-a-100-million-round/#comment-2047011 Nat Fri, 21 Mar 2008 00:25:27 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/20/spinvox-translates-voice-to-text-service-into-a-100-million-round/#comment-2047011 @3 & @4 , i agree with you, overprice is well said for something you can get for now as Free live Callwave like per JasonL said. the big question how they going to monetize this old news technology, will they be able to double their investment in few years?, i doubt. If you look on all the web 2.0/3.0 company they are acquired at a highest price when there is no real proof of ROI or the website can monetize in the coming years..my thought is the reason behind the $200 million value is the latest technology and intelligent individual that Goldman Sach invested in Spinvox. congrats and Goodluck Nat www.workersinc.com @3 & @4 , i agree with you, overprice is well said for something you can get for now as Free live Callwave like per JasonL said. the big question how they going to monetize this old news technology, will they be able to double their investment in few years?, i doubt. If you look on all the web 2.0/3.0 company they are acquired at a highest price when there is no real proof of ROI or the website can monetize in the coming years..my thought is the reason behind the $200 million value is the latest technology and intelligent individual that Goldman Sach invested in Spinvox. congrats and Goodluck

Nat
http://www.workersinc.com

]]> By: Paul http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/20/spinvox-translates-voice-to-text-service-into-a-100-million-round/#comment-2047010 Paul Fri, 21 Mar 2008 00:24:22 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/20/spinvox-translates-voice-to-text-service-into-a-100-million-round/#comment-2047010 Great in theory, but I have yet to them transcribe message reliably. A friend of mine uses SpinVox. He calls me and says things like, "Got your message that you want the elevator out of your pants by noon." And English is my first language - imagine how it will handle the other 40% of California's population. Great in theory, but I have yet to them transcribe message reliably.

A friend of mine uses SpinVox. He calls me and says things like, “Got your message that you want the elevator out of your pants by noon.” And English is my first language - imagine how it will handle the other 40% of California’s population.

]]> By: JR http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/20/spinvox-translates-voice-to-text-service-into-a-100-million-round/#comment-2047007 JR Fri, 21 Mar 2008 00:21:26 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/20/spinvox-translates-voice-to-text-service-into-a-100-million-round/#comment-2047007 There's nothing I hate more than having to check my voice mail. Since I started using Voice to Text provided by SPinVox, I just check my email. Greatest service EVER!!!! There’s nothing I hate more than having to check my voice mail. Since I started using Voice to Text provided by SPinVox, I just check my email. Greatest service EVER!!!!

]]> By: Thilo http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/20/spinvox-translates-voice-to-text-service-into-a-100-million-round/#comment-2046999 Thilo Fri, 21 Mar 2008 00:10:20 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/20/spinvox-translates-voice-to-text-service-into-a-100-million-round/#comment-2046999 That's what I've been looking for That’s what I’ve been looking for

]]> By: JasonL http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/20/spinvox-translates-voice-to-text-service-into-a-100-million-round/#comment-2046870 JasonL Thu, 20 Mar 2008 20:56:37 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/20/spinvox-translates-voice-to-text-service-into-a-100-million-round/#comment-2046870 I have been using CallWave for a while which is free (for now). It converts my voicemail into a text message and texts it to me. It also send a copy to my e-mail. This has become one feature I don't think I can live without any more. If I miss a call during a meeting, I can read the voicemail and know how to react. It's not close to perfect yet; however, I usually get the gist. I have been using CallWave for a while which is free (for now). It converts my voicemail into a text message and texts it to me. It also send a copy to my e-mail. This has become one feature I don’t think I can live without any more. If I miss a call during a meeting, I can read the voicemail and know how to react. It’s not close to perfect yet; however, I usually get the gist.

]]> By: MikeT http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/20/spinvox-translates-voice-to-text-service-into-a-100-million-round/#comment-2046837 MikeT Thu, 20 Mar 2008 19:48:56 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/20/spinvox-translates-voice-to-text-service-into-a-100-million-round/#comment-2046837 I think voice to text and text to voice should become free services in the near or distant future I think voice to text and text to voice should become free services in the near or distant future

]]> By: Rob Abbott http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/20/spinvox-translates-voice-to-text-service-into-a-100-million-round/#comment-2046829 Rob Abbott Thu, 20 Mar 2008 19:46:13 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/20/spinvox-translates-voice-to-text-service-into-a-100-million-round/#comment-2046829 excuse my, lack of proof reading "The value of indexable.." "...transcription technology evolves to an accurate service..." :) excuse my, lack of proof reading

“The value of indexable..”

“…transcription technology evolves to an accurate service…”

:)

]]> By: Tony Carter http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/20/spinvox-translates-voice-to-text-service-into-a-100-million-round/#comment-2046825 Tony Carter Thu, 20 Mar 2008 19:44:18 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/20/spinvox-translates-voice-to-text-service-into-a-100-million-round/#comment-2046825 Lloyd, I work for SpinVox and have a window on the process. SpinVox employs a series of speech engines and the majority of our English conversions are automated. The Voice Message Conversion System is actually a "live learning" system that "knows what it doesn't know". When it encounters new language or ambient noise that confuses the automated process, it then asks a human to review that portion of the message in dispute. That person then converts the portion of the message in dispute and the complete conversion is then delivered. To date we've had about 4 million unique voices pass through the system which improves our ability to understand any voice. Lloyd, I work for SpinVox and have a window on the process. SpinVox employs a series of speech engines and the majority of our English conversions are automated. The Voice Message Conversion System is actually a “live learning” system that “knows what it doesn’t know”. When it encounters new language or ambient noise that confuses the automated process, it then asks a human to review that portion of the message in dispute. That person then converts the portion of the message in dispute and the complete conversion is then delivered. To date we’ve had about 4 million unique voices pass through the system which improves our ability to understand any voice.

]]> By: Ryan Merket http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/20/spinvox-translates-voice-to-text-service-into-a-100-million-round/#comment-2046823 Ryan Merket Thu, 20 Mar 2008 19:43:38 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/20/spinvox-translates-voice-to-text-service-into-a-100-million-round/#comment-2046823 @3 - SpinVox is all technology -- no low labor cost markets. Congrats SpinVox!!!!!! @3 - SpinVox is all technology — no low labor cost markets.

Congrats SpinVox!!!!!!

]]> By: Rob Abbott http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/20/spinvox-translates-voice-to-text-service-into-a-100-million-round/#comment-2046822 Rob Abbott Thu, 20 Mar 2008 19:43:36 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/20/spinvox-translates-voice-to-text-service-into-a-100-million-round/#comment-2046822 The value you of indexable, searchable voice transcriptions is significant. Once integrated into an application like a mail client (Gmail, Mail, Outlook...etc.), the value is clear. The time spent transcribing important voice messages, interviews and conversations is cut by these services. While some services, like SimulScribe and SpinVox do send the audio to markets with cheap labor, the service isn't always optimal or exact. I am a current user of both services and it's of enough value for me to become dependent on once my habits change. I get previews of my voice messages sent to my iPhone in SMS form, so I know who called and most importantly, why, without having to play the message (in a meeting). GS is investing in the distributed service and in the technology, so SpinVox is widely integrated into applications which increase productivity, and so the quality of the transcription technology involves to an accurate service, whether it be by human or machine (or both). The value you of indexable, searchable voice transcriptions is significant. Once integrated into an application like a mail client (Gmail, Mail, Outlook…etc.), the value is clear.

The time spent transcribing important voice messages, interviews and conversations is cut by these services.

While some services, like SimulScribe and SpinVox do send the audio to markets with cheap labor, the service isn’t always optimal or exact.

I am a current user of both services and it’s of enough value for me to become dependent on once my habits change. I get previews of my voice messages sent to my iPhone in SMS form, so I know who called and most importantly, why, without having to play the message (in a meeting).

GS is investing in the distributed service and in the technology, so SpinVox is widely integrated into applications which increase productivity, and so the quality of the transcription technology involves to an accurate service, whether it be by human or machine (or both).

]]> By: Boring Market http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/20/spinvox-translates-voice-to-text-service-into-a-100-million-round/#comment-2046812 Boring Market Thu, 20 Mar 2008 19:26:12 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/20/spinvox-translates-voice-to-text-service-into-a-100-million-round/#comment-2046812 Goldman Sachs is no Venture Capitalist, Sachs isn't known to throw $100 million of their money at a Web 2.0 company. I don't think paying for one fifth of this company was a smart move, this company isn't cutting edge like the iPhone visual voice mail. I could be wrong. Goldman Sachs is no Venture Capitalist, Sachs isn’t known to throw $100 million of their money at a Web 2.0 company. I don’t think paying for one fifth of this company was a smart move, this company isn’t cutting edge like the iPhone visual voice mail. I could be wrong.

]]> By: Lloyd http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/20/spinvox-translates-voice-to-text-service-into-a-100-million-round/#comment-2046807 Lloyd Thu, 20 Mar 2008 19:19:29 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/20/spinvox-translates-voice-to-text-service-into-a-100-million-round/#comment-2046807 Is it really technology? I thought all the voice-to-text guys do is send voice file to low labor cost mkts for transcription? And then fwd results to user via email? Not saying that isn't a valuable service, but is it really technology? Is it really technology? I thought all the voice-to-text guys do is send voice file to low labor cost mkts for transcription? And then fwd results to user via email?

Not saying that isn’t a valuable service, but is it really technology?

]]> By: dale http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/20/spinvox-translates-voice-to-text-service-into-a-100-million-round/#comment-2046804 dale Thu, 20 Mar 2008 19:18:46 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/20/spinvox-translates-voice-to-text-service-into-a-100-million-round/#comment-2046804 i will give it try. i will give it try.

]]> By: James Siminoff http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/20/spinvox-translates-voice-to-text-service-into-a-100-million-round/#comment-2046800 James Siminoff Thu, 20 Mar 2008 19:15:42 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/20/spinvox-translates-voice-to-text-service-into-a-100-million-round/#comment-2046800 Congrats Spinvox! That is a big round. For those that want to try out SimulScribe here is a 30 day trial, https://apps.simulscribe.com/signup/a/techcrunch. Jamie James Siminoff, Founder SimulScribe Congrats Spinvox! That is a big round.

For those that want to try out SimulScribe here is a 30 day trial, https://apps.simulscribe.com/signup/a/techcrunch.

Jamie

James Siminoff, Founder
SimulScribe

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