Chatter on Microsoft's Adoption of VoiceXML

There is a fair amount of commentary in the blogosphere and industry rags on Microsoft's recent embrace of VoiceXML. For example, Voxeo's Clegg Ivey views it as a confirmation of VoiceXML as THE industry standard: "When Microsoft signs on to a standard you know you're in good shape". Others are busy speculating how it finally came about, such as Robert's recent posting on Wombat Nation where he theorizes it was the Unveil aquisition last fall that brought Microsoft into the VoiceXML camp.

What makes this development particularly interesting of course is Microsoft's rigorous and logic defying attempt to squash VoiceXML in the not so distant past, with its controversial announcement of SALT. For example, recall the infamous quote X.D. Huang made: "VXML is just not technically good enough and it doesn't matter what you do. You can beat a dead horse for a long time but no matter how you beat it is still dead." It will be interesting to read Huang's interview with the InfoWorld editor next month when the Speech Server 2007 beta is released. Surely he knows by now that the only thing worse then betting on the wrong horse is betting on a dead horse! ;-)