This sounds like an interesting development.
Jim
Tuesday December 5, 5:34 pm Eastern Time
Press Release
Fonix Voice Activates Odyssey's iOn Shopper
PDA Handheld Device Combines Talk and Shop to Save
Shoppers Time and Energy
SALT LAKE CITY & REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 5, 2000-- Fonix Corp. (OTCBB: FONX -
news), a leading provider of human-user interface technology and voice solutions for wireless and mobile devices, Internet
and telephony systems, and vehicle telematics, and Odyssey Technology Inc., a company that provides end-to-end
technology solutions for retailers and their customers, Tuesday announced the signing of an OEM agreement for the use
of the Fonix FAAST Embedded 1.0 Voice Recognition System in the Odyssey iOn Shopper(TM), an unparalleled
PDA-like handheld device.
Consumers, prior to and while shopping, may voice-access the features of the iOn Shopper(TM), a device similar in
design and appearance to popular PDAs, but with a look and feel completely customized for the consumer. The Fonix
FAAST Embedded 1.0 Voice Recognition System allows the consumer to access information contained in the iOn
Shopper by simply speaking into the device.
Dan Eshner, vice president of software engineering at Odyssey Technology, said, ``Fonix has provided Odyssey with
significant capabilities that are essential to enhance the user interface to the customer. With Fonix Automatic Speech
Recognition (ASR) as one element of the interface, we are able to extend retail services to a demographic that has
traditionally resisted technology.
``Speech recognition is a much more powerful means of input than methods utilized by other, less powerful PDAs.''
A customer may add items to his list at any time. If he thinks of a necessary item, such as cereal, with Fonix ASR, he
speaks ``cereal'' into the iOn Shopper, and various cereal products appear on the touch screen, allowing the shopper to
choose which one he wants. No pens or paper are necessary.
Users transfer the list to the store through the Internet. In turn, the retailer, connected wirelessly to the database via
Bluetooth, will scan the list and inform the shopper as to when his order will be ready. The iOn Shopper also advises the
customer of store specials and discounts.
``This is another compelling application utilizing Fonix ASR in a state-of-the-art product that will make shopping for any
item an easier and more enjoyable process,'' said John A. Oberteuffer, Ph.D., vice president of technology at Fonix Corp.
``The Odyssey iOn Shopper fits the Fonix business model, providing voice access to handheld mobile computing devices
generating per unit royalty fees. Voice activation and access to information on handheld computing devices enhances
consumer services and expands the ASR in the embedded systems marketplace, where size limits most speech
recognizers.''
Fonix FAAST Embedded 1.0 utilizes an optimized technology core empowering a notably small executable footprint
within an enabled device. The Odyssey iOn Shopper, utilizing Fonix ASR, is powered by the Intel® StrongArm 1110
Processor, and will be available in the second quarter of 2001.
About Fonix Corp.
Fonix Corp. is a leading provider of human-user-interface (HUI) technology and voice solutions for wireless and mobile
devices, Internet and telephony systems, and vehicle telematics. Leading chip manufacturers, independent software and
hardware vendors, and Internet content and service providers incorporate Fonix technology to provide their customers with
an easier and more convenient user experience.
Fonix products, including Text-To-Speech (TTS), Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR), and Handwriting Recognition
(HWR), can be easily implemented on multiple microprocessors and operating systems, and provide the most natural
communication solutions available. For more information visit www.fonix.com or call 801/553-6600.
About Odyssey Technology
Odyssey strengthens interdependencies between retailers, shoppers, manufacturers and consumer brands.
The company has developed software infrastructure, wireless devices and business processes that enable the traditional
retailer to offer a suite of valuable services to its customers -- unobtrusive services that address the issues of time and
convenience that increasingly burden consumers, and transform the experience of shopping for goods and services.
Odyssey combines industry leading e-Commerce infrastructure and connectivity tools with its innovative integration of
voice, touch and bar code scanning into devices to simplify and make intuitive the user experience. As such it also
provides professional services and licenses its software and systems to companies interested in accessing consumer
markets.
Founded and managed by pioneers and authorities in software, hardware and marketing design, Odyssey Technology is a
globally situated company as committed to innovative business methodology as it is to human-friendly consumer and
B2B solutions.
Contact: Kevin L. Asay Vice President, Marketing & Business Development, 425/376-1603,
kevina@odysseytechnology.com
Note: The statements released by Fonix Corp. that are not purely historical are forward-looking within the meaning of the
``Safe Harbor'' provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the
company's expectations, hopes, intentions, and strategies for the future.
Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainties that may affect the company's
business prospects and performance. It is important to note that the company's actual results could differ materially from
those in such forward-looking statements.
Risk factors including general economic, competitive, governmental, and technological factors as discussed in the
company's filings with the SEC on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. The company does not undertake any responsibility to
update the forward-looking statements contained in this release.
Contact:
Fonix Corp.
Scott Lindsey, 801/553-6600
(Sales and Product Information)
Whitney Seamons, 801/553-6600 (Media Relations)
Michelle Aamodt, 801/328-0161 (Investor Relations)
or
Odyssey Technology
Kevin L. Asay, 425/376-1603
kevina@odysseytechnology.com |
