AVIOS had a wine-and-cheese fest in which they announced the winners of their 2007 Application Contest. I’m sure they’ll post detailed information on the site in the coming days.

There were three winners:

Michael Turner studied with Jim Larson at Portland State University. He designed a collection of five children’s games.

Michael Laskowski, also from Portland; I’m not sure if it was Portland State University because my pen slipped into my wine glass as I was writing. So that information is lost forever. He designed a maze game for children with speech impediments. Children maneuvered their avatars through the maze using repeated words. The game reinforced memorization as well.

Also, it delivered a stunning electric shock if a child said the wrong thing.

Kidding.

Finally, Jamey White studied under Juan Gilbert at Auburn University. He designed a training application for pilots.

I conducted two quick interviews with Jamey White and Michael Turner. To read the interviews in full, click on the “More” button.

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I’m writing this from the first annual Voice Search Conference in San Diego. I’m also banging this stuff out real quick-like so I apologize in advance for any slovenliness of form and grammar. Additionally, the chambermaid at the Chateau de Marriott is battering the door because she insists my bed needs to be made and mints strewn lovingly across my pillow. All very distracting.

In the meantime, some scattered thoughts:

- First, somebody really needs to come up with names distinguishing voice-powered search versus audio mining (there’s ambiguity because both are often labeled “voice search”) This convention, based on the opening keynote (which I covered in today’s Speech Tech news) and the titles of upcoming panels, focuses pretty much on voice-powered search. There is a panel tomorrow called “Searching Audio/Video Sources On The Web And In Enterprises” that I will attend. Though so far, it looks like the only panel dedicated to audio mining.

- Given the great potential for audio mining (i.e., more accurate multimedia searches, targeted advertising, etc), it would be nice to see greater representation. Of course, the convention just got started, so if I’m wrong, I’ll be sure to post a picture of myself devouring a crow [We hope so -Ed.].

More on Ryan’s [mis]adventures, after the jump. (more…)