FYI,
Jim
Monday October 30, 12:10 pm Eastern Time
Press Release
Fonix Allegro to Enable Handwriting in RCA
REB1100 eBook
Allegro Allows Electronic Book Readers to Easily Add
Digital Notes and Bookmarks
SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 30, 2000--Fonix Corp.
(OTC BB: FONX - news) a leading provider of human-user interface
technology solutions for wireless and mobile devices, Internet and telephony systems, and vehicle telematics, Monday
announced that THOMSON multimedia (NYSE:TMS - news) will integrate the Fonix Allegro handwriting recognition
(HWR) technology into the new RCA-brand REB1100 eBook(TM).
The RCA-brand REB 1100 eBook is a portable electronic reading device that utilizes the Gemstar eBook System and
allows users to take thousands of pages of text and graphics along with them at any time. Since the content is digitized,
material read on the RCA-brand eBook can be browsed, searched, and retrieved in ways that would be impossible with a
printed book, magazine, or newspaper.
With Fonix Allegro HWR, users can quickly and easily add notes, memos and bookmarks, in their own handwriting,
anywhere within the text.
``Digital technology will make possible a whole new world of capabilities that readers will truly appreciate,'' said Rich
Phipps, Thomson's General Manager of Advanced Multimedia Products.
``Thomson is committed to delivering on consumers' wants and needs in the emerging electronic book category, and
Fonix Allegro helps to enhance the reading experience by making notations easy to insert into electronic editions of
popular books, magazines, or newspapers.''
The Fonix Allegro handwriting recognition system is the most natural electronic input program available. It is designed
for quick and easy single character handwriting input, making it less fatiguing than other styles.
In addition, Fonix Allegro HWR provides an extremely high level of recognition accuracy, even for writers with poor
handwriting, which makes it a perfect fit for reliable input on mobile and wireless devices in any setting.
The RCA REB1100 eBook features a backlit, high-resolution liquid crystal display and has enough memory to hold
several thousand pages of graphics and text. Loading new content is remarkably simple, since the new product does not
need a computer and easily plugs into a standard telephone line.
The paperback-sized REB1100 will be available at retail stores nationwide after Thanksgiving. The list of initial eBook
retailers includes Best Buy (NYSE: BBY - news), Circuit City (NYSE: CC - news) and OfficeMax (NYSE: OMX -
news). The new RCA-brand eBook will also be available for consumers to purchase online at www.rca.com and from
other soon-to-be announced Web retailers.
The REB1100 is one of the first retail products introduced with technology licensed from Gemstar-TV Guide
International Inc.
``Now eBook readers will benefit from the ability to annotate and bookmark their digital materials,'' said Thomas A.
Murdock, chairman & chief executive officer of Fonix Corp.
``Thomson is the first major consumer electronics company to enter the emerging electronic book market, and their
selection of Fonix Allegro handwriting technology further reinforces our leadership position in the human-user interface
arena.''
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.
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 include 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., Salt Lake City
Sales and Product Information
Scott Lindsey, 801/553-6600
sales@fonix.com
Media Information
Whitney Seamons, 801/553-6600
mediarel@fonix.com
Investor Information
Michelle Aamodt, 801/328-0161
invrel@fonix.com |
