The first voice-recognition software package tuned to Cantonese speech will be demonstrated by Apple Computer in the territory this week.
Apple, which has won critical acclaim for the Chinese Dictation Kit introduced at last year's MacWorld Expo in the territory, will preview enhancements to its Chinese character input solutions developed at its Singapore research centre.
Although Apple Computer's Asia regional headquarters would not confirm a Cantonese solution would be at MacWorld on Thursday, Apple Hong Kong marketing manager Tony Li has issued an alert to the local press for a 'ground-breaking' demonstration of a Chinese text-input method at a special presentation on the opening day of the show.
He said Dr Louis Woo, director of the Apple Design Centre in Singapore, would show for the first time how 'the solution can convert your native dialect into text'.
The enhanced solution is also the first foray by Apple into Chinese handwriting recognition, although many third-party developers have written systems for use on the Macintosh platform.
Apple initially targeted Mandarin speakers in its Chinese dictation kit development.
The Cantonese-speaking population is estimated at 54 million in southern China and another six million in the territory.