News Item:
Fonix(R) Corporation Acquires DECtalk(R) Text-To-Speech Technology From Force(R) Computers
Compact, Full Featured Text-To-Speech Application Will Expand Fonix Embedded TTS Offerings in Automotive, Consumer Markets
SALT LAKE CITY, Dec. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Fonix(R) Corporation (OTC Bulletin Board: FONX), a leading provider of natural-user interface technology and voice solutions for wireless and mobile devices, today announced it has purchased DECtalk(R), a highly advanced, compact text-to-speech (TTS) technology from Force(R) Computers, a Solectron company (NYSE: SLR). The acquisition of DECtalk technology, which at less than one megabyte of storage space is the world's smallest full-featured TTS application, will increase the long-term product sales growth rate of Fonix and will help Fonix expand its existing leadership of Fonix in automotive, mobile and wireless TTS applications, as well as open new opportunities in a number of speech product areas.
"DECtalk is a compelling strategic transaction and an excellent opportunity for Fonix shareholders and customers. It is the first of several short-term strategic additions to our speech product expertise," said Thomas A. Murdock, president and CEO of Fonix Corporation. "Our objective moving forward is to consolidate our speech solutions and products along three major lines-wireless/embedded applications, server solutions, and consumer applications. As the most advanced embedded application of its kind in the industry, DECtalk represents an accretive technology and marketing opportunity. We plan on putting our considerable product development and marketing know-how behind DECtalk in order to further solidify our position in the embedded applications market space, especially among automotive and consumer product OEMs."
In addition to complementary technology, DECtalk brings a stable customer base, a revenue history, which will continue under Fonix ownership, and represents a valuable step in accelerating the long-term growth of Fonix. Because the acquisition price will be paid over a one year period to minimize the financial impact, Fonix believes that the combined revenues of DECtalk products, and the new product releases from Fonix that incorporate DECtalk technology, will produce immediate revenues, offering the potential to lead to even further commercial success.
"This is a superb transaction for our shareholders," said Roger D. Dudley, executive vice president and CFO of Fonix. "The acquisition of DECtalk will accelerate our strategic and financial plan. As the speech industry consolidates, Fonix expects to accelerate its five-year annual percentage growth in product sales through strategic acquisitions in both the US and Europe, and has, this month, retained as its financial advisor, a UK-based investment banking firm to advise and execute future strategic acquisitions."
DECtalk technology transforms ordinary text into natural-sounding, highly intelligible speech. Like other Fonix products, DECtalk provides some of the highest levels of speech quality and accuracy available, producing clear, correct pronunciation of single characters, words, phrases, and proper names. DECtalk technology offers personalized voices in six common Western languages, and its extensive user controls ensure optimum performance in real-world applications.
By adding DECtalk's TTS engines to its already strong embedded TTS capabilities, Fonix will forge a formidable technological advantage in embedded technology. DECtalk is already available in the new TimeTalk Alert(TM) application from Fonix, a voice-enabled scheduling assistant for Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs). Other Fonix products set to incorporate DECtalk within the next several months include a new release of the Fonix one-of-a-kind talking Caller ID solution, Fonix Contact Manager and other PDA applications and iSpeak, the award-winning personal text reader application from Fonix.
"We expect that DECtalk will be implemented in products of most of our major OEM customers such as Panasonic, Mitsubishi, and Motorola," said Kurt Flygare, Fonix vice president of sales. "With DECtalk, Fonix is now able to offer our customers the best possible range of TTS applications for their needs, regardless of application, operating system, or platform. What's more, DECtalk's unique market capabilities will facilitate Fonix speech enabled solutions and applications for growth in several new revenue channels."
About Fonix Corporation
Fonix Corporation (OTC Bulletin Board: FONX) is a leading provider of natural-user interface technology 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), provide the most natural communication solutions available. For additional information, visit www.fonix.com , or contact a Fonix representative at (801) 553-6600.
Fonix, DECtalk, iSpeak, and TimeTalk Alert are trademarks or registered trademarks of Fonix Corporation. Force, the Force logo, and Force Computers, are trademarks or registered trademarks of Force Computers Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Note: The statements released by Fonix Corporation 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. |
