A new voice portal, which will enable companies to deliver voice-activated content such as traffic updates or share and currency prices via either a fixed line or mobile phone, has been developed by Irish software company RedCircle.

Rather than having to either scroll through a menu on a WAP phone or use a touch-tone phone menu, users will be able to give commands verbally to access information.

Using advanced voice-recognition technology that the Dun Laoghaire-based company has developed, the system builds up a blueprint of the user's voice to ensure security.

The software can be customised to deliver any type of information service and can incorporate a transactional element, allowing users to purchase products or information.