Release - ZiLOG, Zi and M@ilTV(TM)
ZiLOG Inc. and Zi Corporation announce cooperation to deliver Chinese language to
M@ilTV(TM)
CALGARY/CAMPBELL, CA, Nov. 16 /CNW/ - ZiLOG Inc. (formerly ZLG on the
NYSE) and Zi Corporation (TSE: ZIC) (NASDAQ: ZICA) today announced an
agreement to provide Chinese language to M@ilTV(TM), an innovative
communications system that delivers email capability via television. As part
of the agreement, Zi Corporation has licensed its eZiTEXT(TM) intuitive
language processing software to ZiLOG and will adapt it for use with
M@ilTV. The licensing agreement covers the use of eZiTEXT in both Chinese
and English.
``The eZiTEXT input system provides intuitive text entry and excellent
language processing capabilities,' said Aydin Koc, senior vice president and
general manager of the Home Entertainment Group at ZiLOG Inc. ``M@ilTV is
designed to be extremely easy to use in any geography. Our objective is to
ensure this simplicity and intuitive operation in countries with symbolic
character languages. eZiTEXT will allow ZiLOG to bring the powerful
capabilities of M@ilTV to large populations around the world in a natural
manner.'
The eZiTEXT software allows M@ilTV users to quickly and easily enter
Chinese characters with a limited set of basic strokes. This considerably
simplifies the text-entry interface and duplicates the user experience in
sother routine writing activities. The input system predicts most words
before all letters are entered, additionally improving text entry speed,
especially when using a remote control. Enabling text entry on a remote
control allows the user to operate technology in any location and eliminates
the need to use a keyboard for text entry. Zi Corporation currently offers
eZiTEXT in 13 alphabetical languages and three ideographic languages.
``M@ilTV is scheduled for launch in China in the first quarter of
2000,' said Antoine Blondeau, senior vice president, Sales and Marketing for
Zi Corporation. ``This agreement allows Zi to expand the types of devices our
product is embedded in and can allow our product to reach a much broader cross
section of the population in China.'
M@ilTV is an innovative, cost-effective communications system, jointly
marketed worldwide by ZiLOG Inc. and World CallNET, Inc., that allows
television sets to communicate with the Internet. M@ilTV gives consumers
full email capability and value-added applications such as text-based Internet
access, information and e-commerce through their television sets. Consumers
navigate and create email using a television remote control or an optional
wireless keyboard. M@ilTV connects to the Internet using an existing
telephone line without the use of a second line, and customer installation is
as simple as connecting the television into the telephone socket.
Alternatively, M@ilTV capability can be added to an existing TV set through
a low-cost external module.
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 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, Calgary, San Francisco and
Stockholm.
ZiLOG is a leading global design solutions company specializing in
embedded and integrated circuits for the data communications, home
entertainment and integrated controls markets. Headquartered in Campbell,
Calif., ZiLOG employs an estimated 1,300 people worldwide. It announced 1998
revenues of $204.7 million. Texas Pacific Group and its affiliates, a $2.5
billion private investment partnership, own a majority interest in ZiLOG.
ZiLOG maintains design centers in Campbell, Calif., Austin, Texas, Nampa,
Idaho, Seattle, Wash., and Bangalore, India, and a worldwide customer service
center in Austin, advanced manufacturing in Nampa and test operations in
Manila, Philippines. It has 27 direct sales offices and more than 120
distributor locations worldwide. www.zilog.com
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.
M@ilTV is a registered trademark of World CallNET, Inc. ZiLOG is a
registered trademark of ZiLOG Inc. eZiTEXT is a registered trademark of Zi
Corporation. All other company and product names may be trademarks of the
respective companies with which they are associated.
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For further information: Kimberly Malanczuk, ZiLOG Inc., Sr. Manager,
Public Relations, Phone: 408-558-8381, Email: kmalanczuk@zilog.com, Web
site: zilog.com, Karen Attwell, Zi Corporation, Manager,
Investor/Media Relations, Phone: (403) 233-8875, Email:
investor@zicorp.com, Web site: zicorp.com
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