Zi licenses eZiTEXT(TM) to Kenwood Corporation
CALGARY, Nov. 22 /CNW/ - Zi Corporation (TSE: ZIC) (NASDAQ: ZICA) is
pleased to announce that it has entered into a licensing agreement with
Kenwood Corporation (Kenwood) of Japan. Kenwood will integrate Zi's predictive
language processing software, eZiTEXT(TM), across a range of cellular phone
platforms, beginning with Kenwood's new line-up of GSM digital phones. The
agreement covers the entire language offering developed by Zi Corporation,
including European languages, Chinese and Japanese.
Kenwood is a major global electronics player whose main product areas
include audio appliances, car navigation products, radio equipment, mobile
telephone equipment and PC components. With over 2,594 employees worldwide,
the net sales of the company reached 257,419 million Yen (USD$2.43 billion) in
fiscal year 1998.
Kenwood is a strong PDC and PHS cellular brand in the domestic Japanese
phone space, with about two million units sold per year. It has just launched
a new line of products for each major mobile communications platform,
including the EM618 series for the GSM protocol. The line has been well
received by European and Asian operators, several of whom have entered into
purchasing contracts with the company.
eZiTEXT(TM) is a leading language processing technology for consumer
information appliances. It provides intuitive, predictive power to allow a
user to type quickly and intelligently in any language on digital mobile
phones, set-top boxes, hand-held computers and other information portals.
``We will first implement eZiTEXT(TM) with our next product releases in
Europe and Greater China. Intelligent text entry is a requirement of European
operators for cell phones supporting short messaging and more advanced data
applications. eZiTEXT(TM)'s additional features enhance usability and
performance. In China too, this technology will help us market our product
line and access Chinese OEM customers,' said Mr. Toshitada Asao, general
manager, Overseas Mobile Communication Division at Kenwood Corporation.
``Kenwood is a company with a global reputation for quality and
engineering excellence. eZiTEXT(TM)'s product features, such as our unique
word completion and auto-spellchecker functionality in European languages,
were key to Kenwood's endorsement of Zi technology. This technology, initially
developed for the Greater China market, is now proving it handles very well
for Japanese and other Asian or European languages,' commented Antoine
Blondeau, senior vice president, Marketing & Sales at Zi Corporation.
Zi Corporation is a software company making modern electronic technology
more accessible to people in a way that is consistent with their language and
culture. The company's eZiTEXT(TM) input software is licensed in several
languages for devices ranging from mobile phones to TV set-top boxes. Zi's
common shares trade on both the Toronto Stock Exchange (ZIC) and the NASDAQ
stock market (ZICA). Zi markets its technology through strategic partnerships
worldwide from offices in Beijing, Hong Kong, Stockholm, San Francisco and
Calgary.
Certain statements in this press release constitute ``forward-looking
statements' within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995 including, without limitation, statements concerning the
anticipated benefits to Zi Corporation of its agreement with the licensee (the
``Licensee') described herein. The expected inclusion of Zi Input technology
in products developed by the Licensee and potential revenue therefrom involve
risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results,
performance or achievements of Zi Corporation to be materially different from
any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements. Such factors include uncertainties in the ability
to successfully collaborate with the Licensee; the ability of Zi Corporation
to successfully design, develop, and deliver any application that complies
with the Licensee's specifications and is accepted by the Licensee; the
ability of Zi Corporation to successfully meet specific delivery dates set
forth by the Licensee; the ability of Zi Corporation to successfully integrate
and maintain compatibility with the licensee's technology; possible failure to
continue to be selected as the text input enabling technology by the Licensee;
the ability of the Licensee to successfully market and distribute any of its
products incorporating Zi technology; economic conditions in Asia; the risks
of doing business in foreign countries including China; and the risks and
uncertainties referred to in Zi Corporation's Form 20-F for the most recent
calendar year end as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
There can be no assurance that Zi Corporation will achieve commercial success
through the agreement described herein.
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For further information: Karen Attwell, Manager, Investor/Media
Relations, Phone: (403) 233-8875, Email: investor@zicorp.com, Web site:
zicorp.com, Kenwood Corporation, 14-6,Dogenzaka 1-chome,
Shibuya-ku, Phone: 81-3-5457-7120, Email: pr.qa@pr.kenwood.co.jp, Web site:
kenwoodcorp.com
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