eZiText(tm) enabled devices targeted for North American market
Calgary, AB (March 8, 2001) - Consumers in the US and Canada may soon be
able to purchase CDMA handsets with eZiText(tm) predictive input. Zi
Corporation (NASDAQ: ZICA) (TSE: ZIC) has licensed its eZiText(tm)
technology to Hanwha Corporation for use in their wireless handsets. Hanwha
plans to implement eZiText(tm) on a Tri-Mode CDMA handset to be sold in the
North American market.
"Zi is experienced in working with Korean manufacturers to enhance their
export product, with a recent implementation that has just hit the Latin
American market," says Gordon Tsang, director, Sales, Zi Corporation. "We
are eager to begin work with Hanwha to bring easier text messaging to North
Americans on the Tri-Mode platform."
Text messaging is becoming a global phenomenon. In the month of December
alone, an estimated 2 billion text messages were sent worldwide.
eZiText(tm) simplifies text messaging by guiding the user to intended words
with its prediction capabilities. With eZiText(tm) the user is offered
real-word selections, eliminating confusing or incoherent word choices. The
initial implementation with Hanwha will include eZiText(tm) input technology
in English, French and Spanish.
"North America presents a lucrative market for CDMA products, with over 27
million users reported at the end of the third quarter, 2000, " said Sang
Kee Lee, general manager, Research and Development, Hanwha. "We have chosen
Zi Corporation to help us develop a personalized language interface for the
North American consumer."
Hanwha Corporation is involved in information services, construction,
explosives, machinery, trade and telecommunications. Established in 1983,
the Hanwha Corporation Telecommunication division currently employs over 500
engineers and is involved in research and development in the areas of W-CDMA
wireless local loop (WLL) and IMT-2000.
Zi Corporation is a market-driven technology company focused on developing
and delivering intelligent interface solutions and services for the wireless
and consumer electronics sectors. The company's core technology product,
eZiText(tm) connects people to short messaging, e-mail, e-commerce, Web
browsing and similar applications in almost any written language. The
company's service division provides market-leading engineering design in
Bluetooth, VoIP and man-machine interface. Zi supports its strategic
partners from offices in Calgary, Beijing, Hong Kong, San Francisco,
Shenzhen, Stockholm and Tokyo. A publicly traded company, Zi Corporation is
listed on the NASDAQ National Market (ZICA) and the Toronto Stock Exchange
(ZIC).
Visit Zi Corporation at Expo Comm Wireless Korea 2001; May 9-12; Convention
and Exhibition Center; Seoul, Korea. |
