One can only hope that this product sounds more natural that the fourth graf of this release. Productization??!
Jim
Monday September 25, 2:29 pm Eastern Time
Press Release
Fonix Launches iSpeak Personal Text
Reader
New Text-to-Speech Software Offers Instant Audio Access to Any PC-Based Text for
Commuters and Other Eyes-Busy Users
SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 25, 2000--Fonix Corp. (OTC BB: 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, Monday announced the commercial launch of Fonix iSpeak(TM), the
easy-to-use personal text reader that reads aloud any text file in a natural, human-sounding voice.
Ideal for students, researchers, commuters, information workers, the learning disabled and the vision impaired, iSpeak
debunks the myth that speech spoken by computers and other devices must sound monotone, robotic, and synthesized.
Using industry-leading Fonix Text-to-Speech (TTS) technology, iSpeak reads aloud text in a natural, human-like
voice, complete with inflections, intonations, pauses, and changes in emphasis.
``The Fonix iSpeak Personal Text Reader is an enormously useful and convenient product,'' said Thomas A. Murdock,
chairman & chief executive officer of Fonix. ``It's also a great example of the commercial productization and
product-line extension of our text-to-speech technology and we expect it to be widely accepted in a variety of markets.''
iSpeak can automatically read-out any ASCII text. The user-friendly button bar interface allows users to easily adjust
pitch, volume and speed.
Additionally, some of iSpeak's unique features include speaking names and addresses with accuracy; accepting input
from the keyboard, files, or the clipboard; speaking specialized words that can be entered into a personal dictionary;
and saving sound output to a ``.wav'' file.
One of the greatest benefits of having text read aloud is that it frees the user's eyes and hands to engage in other
activities. Taking notes, filing, exercising, commuting, checking email and news, even cooking, are all ideal activities
during which iSpeak can be reading-out text.
Computer and web users are typically required to do a great deal of reading from the computer monitor or screen.
Now these users can relax while iSpeak does the work for them and they will benefit from the reduced eyestrain and
muscle fatigue associated with lengthy periods of reading text on a screen or monitor.
iSpeak is also a great educational tool for learning and information retention. For example, individuals with dyslexia
and children learning to read can use iSpeak to ensure proper pronunciation of letters and words. Teachers can use it
for teaching English as a Second Language (ESL).
And business people can use it to time a presentation or to check for errors that their eyes may have missed.
``My daughter has dyslexia and reading exhausts her,'' said Gail Berger, a mother in West Virginia. ``With iSpeak I
scan books into text form for her, then with a few clicks she simply listens to them or reads along.''
Evaluation copies and product demonstrations of Fonix iSpeak will be available at the Embedded Systems Conference
at the San Jose McEnery Center in San Jose, Calif., Sept. 26-28, where Fonix will be exhibiting in booth No. 5074.
Fonix iSpeak, initially priced at $99, can be ordered through Fonix Sales at the numbers below. Secure online
ordering will be available via the Fonix website, www.fonix.com, in October.
Requirements: Microsoft Windows 95 or higher; Pentium 100 or better, 16 MB RAM, 185 MB disk space, Sound
Blaster 16 or compatible sound card.
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 fonix.com or call
801/553-6600.
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.
iSpeak is a trademark of Fonix Corp. and may be registered in some jurisdictions.
Contact:
Fonix Corp., Salt Lake City
Sales and Product Information
Scott Lindsey, 801/553-6600
Media
Kurt Herrmann, 801/553-6600
Investor Information
Michelle Aamodt, 801/328-0161 |
