Aussies are renowned for their colourful and straight forward communications style, so we know they’re going to love the newly-launched Optus Voice to Text™ service powered by SpinVox. 

Optus is the second largest mobile operator in Australia so we’re more than excited that they announced the launch today. 

This latest deal (SpinVox is also live with Telstra in Australia) means SpinVox is available to 80 per cent of the Australian population – so now, whether they’re at work, on one of their 10,000 beaches or at a barbie, Australians can all benefit from getting their voice messages as an SMS – leaving them more time to enjoy one of the most spectacular countries in the world. 

And, Jim Jacques, Marketing Director at Optus agrees! As Jim told us: “Optus’ Voice to Text service is the simple and convenient way to receive a message when you miss a call.  Whether you’re in a business meeting or you’ve got your hands full with children at the supermarket, sometimes you just can’t answer the phone and instantly reading an important message on your mobile can make life much easier.”

All new Optus consumer and small and medium business post-paid mobile customers will automatically receive a 14 day free* trial of Optus Voice to Text™ on activation.  Existing Optus consumer and small and medium business mobile customers can opt in to the 14 day free trial by texting the word “ON” to 7746.  At the end of the 14 day trial customers can choose to continue with the service for $6.99 per month which includes unlimited messages (Optus Mobile Fair Go™ policy applies).

To distinguish from thumb-typed texts, every SpinVox converted message will appear within speech marks and carry the ‘spoken through SpinVox’ tagline, ensuring customers recognise the difference in message style. 

Great work by the SpinVox Australia team, headed by Anandh Maistry!  We’ll hear from him later in the week in a two-parter which tells us how he came to work with SpinVox and outlines what’s going on for SpinVox in AsiaPac.

Beaut!

For more info on the Optus service check out www.optus.com.au/voicetotext

TeamSpinvox from http://spinvoxadventurers.vox.com/

The RAAM – aka ‘The Race Across America‘ – is known as “THE WORLD’S TOUGHEST BIKE RACE” and they are not kidding!

This year’s event, the 28th in it’s history so far, brough together 50 solo and team riders to cycle the grueling 3,000 mile ride from California to Maryland. Our glorious leader, Christina Domecq – along her racing partner, Ian Rolls – set off on this epic journey a little over eight days ago… and today? They finished!

Not only that, but with an average speed of 15.67mph Christina and Ian came first in the mixed doubles division.

Obviously, being awesome SpinVox evangelists en route – they blogged the whole thing on the move, the latest post reads a little something like this:

“We set our sights on conquering RAAM this year and we did it! In the last week we have ridden 3,021 miles across 14 states and 53 cities – a true testament to the achievement that is possible through fortitude, commitment and the power of a strong, dedicated team. We will carry with us many memories from our time riding across America – from the challenges such as the soaring climbs, fast flats, scorching temperatures, bike spills, and rain – to the incredibly inspiring encounters we have had with the other riders and teams and the fantastic warmth and generosity of spirit of the communities we rode through. But the biggest take away from this experience will be the wonderful opportunity to have achieved the seemingly impossible– they don’t call it the world’s toughest bike race for nothing! – with a team in which we all truly believe anything is possible if you put your mind to it. And if you continue to set your sights higher and higher you can really surprise yourself with what you are able to achieve!

Many thanks to all of our supporters throughout the race, your well wishes were greatly appreciated! And, thanks too to our crew who kept each day running smoothly, and to the RAAM organizers for putting on such a well-managed event.

For those wanting to get a glimpse into what the last eight days have been like for the SpinVox Adventurers, stay tuned to this site in the coming days for behind-the-scenes and on-the-road photos. You won’t want to miss these!”

I think I can speak for all of us when I say: “Congratulations SpinVox Adventurers – Well Done!”

You can read the rest of the Adventure – spoken through SpinVox – over on SpinVox Adventurers.

I’m just going to cycle to the shops, I may be some time…

SpinVox this, SpinVox that, SpinVox coming out my EARS!

No really, there’s just SO MUCH that has been going while I’ve been away it’s actually quite insane…

Now, I’m not one for regurgitating press releases on this ‘ere blog of ours, (I mean that’s why we have a press section, right?), but some things, sometimes, are just too big to ignore – so just indulge me for a minute will you? Cool.

First off, as I plough through the mountain of emails in my overloaded inbox… Charlie Engle!

Who?!

CHARLIE ENGLE!
(clue – that’s him down there)

Here’s a guy who, along with his running mate Marshall Ullrich, has decided he’s going to run across America. That’s right – I said RUN across AMERICA!

From New York to San Francisco to be precise.

Yeah huh. Let’s just take a moment to digest that.

Running. Across AMERICA. …and a record attempt to boot!

“Engle will attempt to break the record for fastest run from San Francisco to New York. He aims to run 3,200 miles within 45 days, averaging more than 70 miles per day.”

Now look I’m all for these hardcore nutters achieving amazing sporting feats and stuff, but this is just simply ridiculous! How is anyone REALLY, supposed to compete with this…?!
OK OK OK, I’ll stop having a moan…

Back to the point; Why am I mentioning this? From the picture above you can see that Mr Engle here is on the phone while RUNNING (ok ok – we’ve established the whole running thing now dude), but he’s not phoning home, or checking with his Mum… Oh no. The man is BLOGGING! Oh yes. You’re way ahead of me now aren’t you. The dude is blogging through SpinVox. Uh huh. That’s right.

His latest voice post goes something like this:

“Exciting news for Marshall. Marshall has completed 1015 miles. Over a 1000 miles. Over 1000 miles. That’s a lot of time on his feet. But it means he’s 1/3 done with running America. Thanks for checking in. Keep sending thoughts and prayers.”

I don’t know about you, but I think this is awesome.

Their blog is being updated daily and if you’re interested in following their journey as they RUN ACROSS AMERICA then I suggest you jump over and check it out.

Good luck guys – we’re rootin’ for ya!

More to follow tomorrow…

Now don’t get me wrong, Marlow is a lovely place…

“…a charming historic town situated on the River Thames and surrounded by beautiful countryside, with the Chiltern Hills to the north. Being a thriving community only about 30 miles west of the centre of London and with good communications by road and rail, it is popular both with visitors and as a business base.

It is the perfect place to enjoy the peace and tranquility of the river, shopping with a difference, walking around historical buildings, taking part in the many sports and leisure activities and eating and drinking in the numerous cafes, restaurants and pubs…”

Source: Marlow Town

But, when the General Manager of your latest South American outpost in Chile drops you a note saying:

“I hope you enjoy these photos… Welcome to the backyard of the Chilean SpinVox Office!”

I for one I think I’m allowed a certain amount of doubt as to whether or not I chose the right place of work or maybe, just maybe, I should put in for a transfer…

Take a look for yourself and you tell me…

(and I’m serious – these are actual photos that were sent to me – not something I’ve pinched off flickr!)

Well I don’t know about you but I’m packing my bags RIGHT NOW!