Zi's eZiText(tm) to be embedded in Vacom Wireless CDMA handsets
Calgary, AB (October 24 2001) - Zi Corporation (NASDAQ: ZICA) (TSE: ZIC) has
entered into an eZiText(tm) licensing agreement with Compal Electronics,
Inc. for use in CDMA (code division multiple access) handsets to be designed
by Vacom Wireless, Inc., a company which Compal Electronics holds an 80 per
cent stake.
"Mobile handset production is set to become a large growth area for Asian
manufacturers. Virtually all notebook computer production has been
outsourced to manufacturers in Asia and we expect the same trend to carry
across to mobile handset production," said, Mr. Tim Chou, Sales Senior VP,
Compal Electronics. "Vacom Wireless is set to capture the market potential
for CDMA handsets and we look forward to having eZiText(tm) capabilities in
these products."
Vacom Wireless acts as the CDMA development centre for Compal Electronics
and currently has three CDMA handsets available on the market, VC-1, VC-3
and VC-5. These handsets support multiple languages and offer short
messaging capability. eZiText(tm) will be implemented in CDMA handsets
targeted for the Chinese market.
"China's first CDMA network will soon be established. With the CDMA
subscriber growth that is expected as a result, China is the ideal target
market for Vacom Wireless CDMA products," said, Andy Suen, Director, Vacom
Wireless. "To support our movement into the Chinese market we are focused
on using the best technologies, such as eZiText(tm) to use to build our
products."
Text input requirements in China are stringent. Zi has guided many
manufacturers who want to penetrate the Chinese mobile market through the
complexities of Chinese text entry standards. With Zi's eZiText(tm) Chinese
solution, manufacturers can implement a text entry solution that is
certified by the State Language Commission and meets all the necessary
standards for Chinese text entry.
"By working hand-in-hand with the development team at Vacom Wireless, Zi can
illustrate the capabilities of eZiText(tm) for this particular
implementation and how eZiText(tm) can bring value to other elements in
their product line," says Gordon Tsang, director, Sales, Zi Corporation.
"With over 32 languages available, eZiText(tm) can provide manufacturers
with an intuitive user interface for almost any market and almost any
device."
Vacom Wireless was established by Compal Electronics in 1999. Vacom
specializes in the area of CDMA development with a research and development
centre located in Korea and manufacturing facilities in Taiwan and China.
Compal Electronics is a leading manufacturer of high-quality notebook
computers, CRT and LCD monitors supplying companies such as Toshiba, HP and
Dell. At year-end 2000, Compal was the third largest notebook manufacturer
in Taiwan with 1.8 million units. In addition to developing and
manufacturing notebook computers, Compal produces PDA, GSM and GPRS
products. With a majority share in Vacom Wireless, Compal broadens its
range of information and communication products to include CDMA handsets. |
