For immediate release (Calgary, AB Canada)
April 22, 1999

Zi Corporation (TSE: ZIC; NASDAQ: ZICA) ("Zi") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a licensing and royalty agreement with Planetweb, Inc, ("Planetweb") to provide Zi Input software for integration with Planetweb's Internet software products for consumer electronic devices such as screen phones, video game consoles, video phones, wireless home networking systems, set-top boxes, and embedded reference designs for DTV (digital TV) and DVD.

"Within the Asia-Pacific region, Greater China represents a significant market opportunity for Internet appliances," said Jan Gullett, CEO and President of Planetweb, Inc. "Planetweb and Zi believe in a common vision of delivering mass market software that is simple to learn and easy to use by the growing number of Chinese consumers that want to become part of the on-line community."

According to a recently published report by China’s Ministry of Information Industry, there are 317 million television sets, 40 million VCD players and 25% telephone penetration in China. These statistics profile a target market for the software resulting from the integration of Zi Input with Planetweb’s software solutions that provide the functionality of the Internet to screen phones, video game consoles, video phones, wireless home networking systems, set-top boxes, and embedded reference designs for DTV (digital TV) and DVD.

"Planetweb values a mass market solution for Chinese smart text input that enhances the Internet experience," noted Michael E. Lobsinger, Chairman and CEO of Zi Corporation. "By entering into an agreement with Zi, Planetweb joins the growing list of licensees of Zi smart text input for consumer devices such as TV set-top boxes and mobile phones."

Founded in 1996, Planetweb, Inc., is a leading developer of Internet software products and services for consumer electronics devices. Planetweb’s suite of products includes a powerful World Wide Web Browser, Applications, System Software, Portal Technology and multimedia Java Technology. Already ported to multiple platform categories, including screen phones, video game consoles, video phones, wireless home networking systems, set-top boxes, and embedded reference designs for DTV (digital TV) and DVD, Planetweb?software has been shipped to manufacturers globally. Based in Mountain View, CA, Planetweb also has an office in Tokyo, Japan. For more information about Planetweb visit the company's Web site at www.planetweb.com.

Zi Corporation’s goal is to make modern electronic technology more accessible to people in a way that is consistent with their language and culture. By connecting technology to language, Zi Corporation brings smart text input to the mass market for devices such as mobile phones, TV set top boxes, computers and information appliances.

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 Planetweb. The expected inclusion of Zi Input technology in products developed by Planetweb and potential license, royalty and maintenance fee amounts 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 Planetweb; the ability of Zi Corporation to successfully design, develop, and deliver any application that complies with Planetweb’s specifications and is accepted by Planetweb; the ability of Zi Corporation to successfully meet specific delivery dates set forth by Planetweb; the ability of Zi Corporation to successfully integrate and maintain compatibility with Planetweb’s technology; possible failure to continue to be selected as the Chinese character-based language enabling technology by Planetweb; the ability of Planetweb 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 Report of Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 1997 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.

NEITHER THE TORONTO STOCK EXCHANGE NOR NASDAQ HAVE APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Zi Corporation	Planetweb, Inc.
Carol Kim	Tina Cuccia
Manager, Investor/Media Relations	Marketing Communications Manager
+1 403.233.8875	+1 650.903.7024
Web site: http://www.zicorp.com/	www.planetweb.com