Voice portal firm Tellme Networks has added former Apple software chief Avadis "Avie" Tevanian to its board of directors, reports CNET. He helped lead Apple's software development efforts for much of the past decade before resigning in March. Technology from the privately held Tellme powers customer service applications for Merrill Lynch and American Airlines and e-commerce for Fandango and Amazon.com.

It also helps companies run internet applications that customers access over the phone, such as directory assistance. Reportedly, it is planning to go public and has had talks with search player Google and Microsoft, among others, about adding telephony services.