Microsoft to buy voice technology company

Microsoft Corp. is currently discussing plans to buy Tellme Networks Inc. for about $800 million, according to a Reuters report.

A privately-owned voice recognition technology company, Tellme provides the Tellme platform, which is the Web-based voice technology based on open standards such as VoiceXML, CCXML and VoIP. The technology is touted as the largest recorded audio library and the first platform that provides callers information ranging from stock rates, airport flights to pizza orders.

According to the report, Microsoft intends to tap Tellme's technology offerings to build voice-recognition functionalities into its products.