By Kelly Rizzetta

Law360, New York (December 20, 2011, 4:34 PM ET) -- Voice-interface software specialist Nuance Communications Inc. has purchased rival Vlingo Inc. for an undisclosed amount, the buyer announced Tuesday.

Burlington, Mass.-based Nuance will gain access to Vlingo's research and development in the voice interface market, which provides voice-recognition and activation software that allows consumers to operate their cars, smartphones and computers by speaking.

The acquisition will better position Nuance to grab a bigger slice of the $5 billion industry, the company said. The deal was spurred by an unprecedented demand for intelligent voice interfaces that have...