Telephony start-up, Ribbit, is set to launch ‘Amphibian' in the second quarter, a consumer service which bridges traditional telephony and the Internet. Amphibian, which is the code-name for the new service, will be able to convert any phone for use with Web environments. Ribbit announced the service at the Demo show in Palm Desert, California, a showcase for innovative technologies.

Amphibian is a new voiceware technology which integrates voice communication into business and personal life and allows users to move easily between traditional telephony and the web. The technology allows users to have two-way phone conversations through Web pages. Incoming calls can be sent to voicemail for automatic transcription using SimulScribe, and can then be read back, or forwarded like e-mail on computers or mobiles.

The platform includes Ribbit's SmartSwitch coupled with Flash/Flex-based application programming software from Adobe Systems Inc. Developers can build "virtual phones" that run as computer applications or work on Web sites. Voiceware applications, voice widgets, and social feeds from over 2,500 developers are available in the Ribbit Store, which allows developers to market their applications. The technology looks set to challenge a market dominated by proprietary software built and controlled by individual network operators.