Xybernaut Licenses IBM's ViaVoice 98 Speech Recognition Software For Bundling In New MA IV(TM) Wearable Computer
FAIRFAX, Va., Dec. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Xybernaut Corporation (Nasdaq: XYBR - news), the leader in wearable computers, announced today that it has entered into an agreement with International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE: IBM - news), a pioneer and leader in speech technologies, whereby Xybernaut® has selected and licensed IBM's ViaVoice 98 to be its standard speech recognition package for bundling in its recently introduced Mobile Assistant™ IV (MA IV) series of wearable computers. Under the licensing arrangement, Xybernaut has committed to purchase 25,000 copies of IBM's ViaVoice software in the first year.
Commenting on the agreement, Edward G. Newman, Xybernaut's Chairman and CEO, said, ''This agreement follows the recent announcement by IBM and Xybernaut to engage in joint marketing activities within their European operating companies. Wearable solutions require an extremely powerful and easy to use speech capability, backed by a company committed to the technology. We believe IBM offers all of these characteristics. With millions of copies of ViaVoice sold worldwide to date, this large established base offers Xybernaut an exciting opportunity to develop and capture a potentially significant portion of the wearable computer market over the next decade. Both companies believe that bringing information tools directly to the worker, wherever and whenever needed, represents a new era of computing and a global multi-billion dollar market opportunity.''
''We are pleased that Xybernaut has selected our ViaVoice product line as its speech recognition software for its MA IV wearable computer. Xybernaut's series of wearable computers is an excellent complement to IBM's ViaVoice speech technology, offering customers tremendous opportunities for productivity gains,'' said William ''Ozzie'' Osborne, General Manager of IBM Speech Systems Business.
''We believe, as Xybernaut does, that the technological drive of computers is changing the world. The merging of our two technologies -- wearable computers and speech recognition -- is a cornerstone for providing new advanced application solutions, especially for those customers whose needs require remote, mobile computing in a hands-free environment,'' he added.
Xybernaut Corporation is a leader in providing hardware, software and service solutions to the wearable computing industry. The Company's patented wearable computer systems feature speech-activation, flat panel and head- mounted displays that allow users hands-free access to information in the computer's internal storage, in local area networks, and on the Internet on an as-needed, where-needed basis. Xybernaut's software is designed to provide users with the right information needed for the task at hand using consistent navigation techniques and screen presentations. Xybernaut's customers include leading corporations and government agencies for many mobile knowledge delivery system applications, including maintenance and repair, inspection, inventory control, manufacturing and data collection.
Visit the Xybernaut Website at xybernaut.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the ''Act''). In particular, when used in the preceding discussion, the words ''plan'', ''confident that'', ''believe'', ''expect'', or ''intend to'' and similar conditional expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Act and are subject to the safe harbor created by the Act. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and actual results could differ materially from those expressed in any of the forward- looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, market conditions, the availability of components for, and delays in the start of, production of the next generations of the Mobile Assistant, general acceptance of the Company's products and technologies, competitive factors, the ability to successfully complete additional financings and other risks described in the Company's SEC reports and filings.
IBM and ViaVoice are trademarks or registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation.
Mobile Assistant and Xybernaut are trademarks or registered trademarks of Xybernaut Corporation.
SOURCE: Xybernaut Corporation
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