Microsoft to Incorporate DirectPlay Voice Into DirectX

Microsoft Corp.
Friday unveiled plans to incorporate DirectPlay Voice, real-time voice
technology, into the next version of its DirectX suite of multimedia
application programming interfaces.

The incorporation of voice technology into DirectX will enable computers
based on the Windows operating system to be used for the development and
operation of additional PC-to-PC voice solutions. Voice-rich Web pages,
real-time document sharing with voice collaboration, and Web-based
customer-service voice applications are all possible uses for this
technology.

DirectPlay Voice was adapted from the Battlefield Communicator
(BattleCom) application created by ShadowFactor Software Inc., a company
Microsoft (MSFT) acquired in June 1999. The new DirectPlay Voice technology will be integrated into the DirectPlay networking API in DirectX and will be
optimized for use in multiplayer games.

BattleCom has been available to consumers for purchase though the
ShadowFactor Web site since 1997. Starting Feb. 18, 2000, BattleCom will be
available for free download. The
ShadowFactor Web site will continue to function as the distribution site for
BattleCom until the release of the next version of DirectX, scheduled for
this summer. The voice technology applications derived from the next version
of DirectX will result in the BattleCom and the ShadowFactor Web sites
being phased out.

DirectX 7.0a, can be downloaded from the DirectX Home User Web page, or by using the Windows Update
feature in Windows 98. The DirectX
Software Development Kit can be ordered from the DirectX Developer Downloads Web page.