Caplay Share Discussion Threads

[bbd2] 30/9/2008 10:30

Textic Ltd
Website Accessibility Specialist TEXTIC to target the US
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$6m Target Corporation settlement raises stakes in website accessibility market

Responding to an expected explosion in demand for website accessibility solutions, Textic Limited (Textic), the text to speech solutions specialist, will set up its first international subsidiary in Seattle, WA before the end of the year, it was announced today.

The announcement follows the news last week of the $6million settlement of the accessibility-based lawsuit brought by The National Federation for the Blind against Target Corporation, one of the USA's largest retailers. The outcome of the class-action lawsuit, originally filed in 2006 as a result of claims that Target's website was inaccessible to the blind and partially sighted, and in violation of federal and state laws, is likely to send shockwaves through the online industry. Similar legislation is in place in major markets around the world and generally applies to all commercial websites offering products and services to consumers.

Paul Ayres, CEO of Textic, commented, "The Target settlement makes it even clearer to website owners that they have to take account the needs of users with disabilities when designing, building and enhancing their websites. Failing to do this has cost Target $6million, a huge sum compared with the relatively small cost of designing and building a fully accessible site from the start."

Laurence Paradis of Disability Rights Advocates, a lawyer who worked on the case, was quoted as saying: "This will send a message to the entire Internet industry that access for people with disabilities is not only good business sense but an absolutely legal civil right."

Paul Ayres further commented, "Establishing a presence in the US will put Textic at the heart of the largest global market for the deployment of web assistive technologies. Those technologies are designed to satisfy the requirements of the relevant legislation however they also deliver the opportunity to build compelling applications and services that generate new revenues for website owners. Around 80% of data available on the web is text and it's generally only accessible if you're in front of a screen, or if it's printed. Converting that text to speech makes it accessible to the blind and partially sighted but also delivers a new dimension to the web for all users."

Talklets delivers text to speech as a service over the network, negating the need for a software download. Implementations are available for small and medium sized businesses, enterprises, public sector organisations and OEMs. Flexible pricing models relate to site traffic and the level of customisation required. For companies operating in multiple geographies, Textic offers a range of male and female voices in major languages including English (US and UK), French, Dutch, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Polish, Greek and Welsh.


Date: 2008-09-26

[bbd2] 17/9/2008 19:32

Talking web pages are totally in, dude
Hear no wibble, see no wibble

By Sylvie Barak: Wednesday, 17 September 2008, 4:46 PM
The Inquirer.

A COMPANY called Textic Limited reckons its web vocalisation service is the bees knees and have an analyst report to prove it.

Textic, which makes web sites talk, so to speak, was recently the subject of a lot of poking and prodding by Peter Abrahams, of Bloor Research.

Abrahams came to the conclusion that having websites read out loud to him in a funny computer generated voice "adds an extra level of accessibility" and was also jolly useful for people who couldn't read.

The Bloor boffin also reckoned that voice enabling a web site would appeal greatly to those who didn't have enough time to read, to people incapable of reading and understanding diagrams simultaneously and to people who absorb more through listening and reading.

And he thinks it's more fun too.

There are also solid legal reasons for having Stephen Hawking soundalike web sites according to a Textic spokesman, citing a recent Target Corporation class action settlement in the US. The retailer was fined $6 million when its web site was considered inaccessible to some, especially blind users. µ

[nodding] 11/9/2008 12:57

I'd settle for a little nibble now and then

Thanks for the link

[bbd2] 09/9/2008 21:26

A "Feeding Frenzy" in CLY shares would be nice ! lol

[monty77] 09/9/2008 10:41

an office in seatle, looking to sign the big guns to the technology

[bond1] 07/9/2008 15:37

Probably the only two directors with any respectability.. Not sure the remaining two have much to shout about.

[bbd2] 28/8/2008 17:55

Well the changes announced today surely signal that the reverse TO is a done deal now.

Had to laugh at the vote of thanks given to the resigning Directors - what the hell have they done to be congratulated for ? Bring on the new beginning !

[william-just] 27/7/2008 11:14

That was a chunk on friday 8 mill at .04 trade at 16.49

But will it cause a tick up on monday.

[william-just] 26/7/2008 07:10

That was a chunk on friday 8 mill at .04 trade at 16.49

But will it cause a tick up on monday.

[2trying] 24/7/2008 21:49

bbd2 -

as a long suffering shareholder
who is not exactly impressed with LK

i admire your optimism
which i echo

and would like to congratulate you on your new ( this ) thread

all the best

John

[bbd2] 24/7/2008 21:08

New thread for new direction:

[bbd2] 24/7/2008 20:44

Textic lends voice to web content

17th July 2008
By Bhavana Navuluri
Textic has launched Talklets text-to-speech (TTS) SaaS model that enables websites to offer their users the read option of the content.

Paul Ayres, the newly-appointed CEO of Textic, said: "Something like 80% of the data consumed on the web is text and it's only available now if you're in front of a readable screen or if it's printed. Talklets is designed to extract that text and deliver it in a form that meets the increasing demand for anytime, anywhere, any device access to information."

Website owners are provided with a code, which has to be inserted into the web pages to give them a voice. These pages are linked to Textic's server platform, which converts selected text to a streaming audio file. As well as reading it on the site, users can also download the text in an MP3 file to an iPod or mobile phone.

Ayres said: "The combination of the software as a service model and natural speech means that services can be delivered effortlessly and be completely brand specific. There's no reason why we couldn't have Murray Walker voicing motor racing sites, David Frost reading news portals or Kate Moss reading fashion tips. The initial indications we have from our trials suggest that making text more flexible and accessible offers considerable long-term benefits by attracting new audiences, increasing engagement and extending user stickiness."

Textic offers male and female voices in major languages including English (UK and US), French, Dutch, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Polish, Greek, and Welsh. Pricing models depend on site traffic and the level of customisation required.

Textic says that Talklets launched after three years of research and development, and user trials earlier in 2008.

Castlepoint Shopping Park is one of the first clients to deploy Talklets toolbox, using the standard UK male voice offered by Textic.

NextUp Technologies, another player in the TTS market, offers TextAloud software. It uses voice synthesis to convert text into spoken audio, which can be listened on PC or converted into MP3 or WMA files for use on portable devices.

NeoSpeech, which offers VoiceText TTS engine, says that its technology is being used by astrophysicist Stephen Hawking.

[bbd2] 24/7/2008 20:42

Well hopefully this is a new begining for Caplay and all the nause with Ramsden is well and truly in the past.

If CLY go ahead with the reverse takeover, this new technology could be very big indeed and with Paul Ayres at the helm, this has great potential to become a success.

For me the only question mark is with Leo Knifton's track record, but hopefully this will be the one he actually deliver's value to sharholders.

[bbd2] 24/7/2008 20:25

USEFUL LINKS

[william-just] 19/7/2008 14:37

many thanks bbd2

[bbd2] 19/7/2008 08:22

The fine detail WJ:

The Loan will be used by Textic for general working capital purposes and is repayable on 17 June 2010. The Loan is secured by a debenture over the business and assets of Textic and bears an interest rate of 10.0 per cent. per annum.




In addition to the Loan, the shareholders of Textic have also granted Caplay an option to acquire the entire issued capital of Textic (the 'Option'). The Option can be exercised by Caplay at any time on or before 17 June 2010. Pursuant to the terms of Option, the consideration for the acquisition would comprise 1,120,000,000 new Caplay Ordinary Shares, together with warrants which would carry the right to subscribe, in certain circumstances, for up to a total of a further 1,305,340,000 new Caplay Ordinary Shares at an exercise price of 1p per Caplay ordinary share.




The exercise of the Option by Caplay would constitute a 'reverse take-over' under the AIM Rules and would therefore be subject to the approval of Caplay's shareholders at an Extraordinary General Meeting. The issue and allotment of the new Caplay ordinary shares and warrants to the Vendors as consideration for the Acquisition would also normally give rise to an obligation on the vendors (who would constitute a concert party for the purposes of the Takeover Code) to make a Rule 9 offer pursuant to the City Code to the remaining Shareholders of the Company. The exercise of the Option would therefore be subject to the Panel agreeing in advance of the exercise to waive this obligation to make a general offer to all Caplay shareholders subject to the passing on a poll by Caplay shareholders of a resolution to waive the requirement for such an offer.

[william-just] 19/7/2008 07:31

What is the investmen % Caplay have in this one and is it as hot as the news reads.

[2trying] 18/7/2008 22:56

100% agreed

bit too early to break out the champagne

but never-theless i am very happy

cheers bbd2

i look forward to your new thread

enjoy your holidays

John

[bbd2] 18/7/2008 22:06

I know what you mean, but Paul Ayres is a very smart cookie and will not have taken the CEO position without seeing real potential in Textic and another opportunity to further his start up reputation.

We need a new thread with this change of direction. I will see what I can do when back from my hols.

[2trying] 18/7/2008 21:53

amazing stuff bbd2

quite cheered me up

although as always ( so far ) i wish i'd never invested in any leo k company

not to worry

John

[bbd2] 18/7/2008 19:29

Textic lends voice to web content
17th July 2008
By Bhavana Navuluri
Textic has launched Talklets text-to-speech (TTS) SaaS model that enables websites to offer their users the read option of the content.

Paul Ayres, the newly-appointed CEO of Textic, said: "Something like 80% of the data consumed on the web is text and it's only available now if you're in front of a readable screen or if it's printed. Talklets is designed to extract that text and deliver it in a form that meets the increasing demand for anytime, anywhere, any device access to information."

Website owners are provided with a code, which has to be inserted into the web pages to give them a voice. These pages are linked to Textic's server platform, which converts selected text to a streaming audio file. As well as reading it on the site, users can also download the text in an MP3 file to an iPod or mobile phone.

Ayres said: "The combination of the software as a service model and natural speech means that services can be delivered effortlessly and be completely brand specific. There's no reason why we couldn't have Murray Walker voicing motor racing sites, David Frost reading news portals or Kate Moss reading fashion tips. The initial indications we have from our trials suggest that making text more flexible and accessible offers considerable long-term benefits by attracting new audiences, increasing engagement and extending user stickiness."

Textic offers male and female voices in major languages including English (UK and US), French, Dutch, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Polish, Greek, and Welsh. Pricing models depend on site traffic and the level of customisation required.

Textic says that Talklets launched after three years of research and development, and user trials earlier in 2008.

Castlepoint Shopping Park is one of the first clients to deploy Talklets toolbox, using the standard UK male voice offered by Textic.

NextUp Technologies, another player in the TTS market, offers TextAloud software. It uses voice synthesis to convert text into spoken audio, which can be listened on PC or converted into MP3 or WMA files for use on portable devices.

NeoSpeech, which offers VoiceText TTS engine, says that its technology is being used by astrophysicist Stephen Hawking.