Over 400,000 Apple users have already downloaded Voice Assist (News - Alert), Inc.'s new program: "Contact." This program makes voice-activated assistance available to those with Apple iPhones, and users of other communication platforms. Once you download the program from the Apple App store for $1.99 you can use it anywhere. Voice Assist first began collaborating with TapFactory, an iPhone (News - Alert) app designer in Dec. 2011.

Although Contact shares some similarities with voice-interface applications such as SIRI, these two technologies are streamlined in different ways in order to perform different tasks. Here are three major differences between Contact and SIRI:

• Contact is compatible with virtually computing platform; SIRI only works on the iPhone 4S

• Users can operate Contact independently of an Internet connection; SIRI requires a secure connection in order to operate properly

• Most importantly, perhaps, Contact's main demographic is the automobile driver; SIRI caters predominantly to pedestrians. As a consequence, Contact assumes the user cannot devote the use of their hands and eyes to operation, as these are not available for most to drivers; SIRI assumes the opposite of its operators.

Contact enables users to send text messages, make and receive phone calls, or even post to blogs without removing their hands from the steering wheel. The service includes a cloud-based address book that remains synced to the contact list on your iPhone.

The influence of TapFactory on Contact is that it now allows users to use a one-tap activation option for Contact. Once you press the button the phone immediately switches over to voice dictation mode. They may then dictate the contents of the text message aloud.

Although Voice Assist's hands-free operation accommodates drivers, other demographics stand to benefit from these developments in consumer technology. In the past, the company has collaborated with Adaptel to produce design solutions for the visually impaired. With over 58 million Americans currently suffering disabilities, any such advances in technology benefit many people beyond merely the business-inclined and the social media junkies.