news release
Zi Corporation Announces License of eZiText to ROSE Telecom Co. in Korea
Zi Technology to Reach Millions of Users in Developing Countries
CALGARY, AB, December 11, 2006 - Zi Corporation (Nasdaq: ZICA) (TSX: ZIC), a leading provider of intelligent interface solutions, today announced that it has signed an agreement with ROSE Telecom Co., Ltd. in Korea to pre-integrate its eZiText® software onto CDMA and GSM/GPRS handsets. The integration of Zi Corporation's predictive text technology is designed to address the texting needs of the fast-growing Indian marketplace and will be available in first quarter 2007.
ROSE Telecom Co., Ltd. is headquartered in Seoul, Korea and develops and manufactures CDMA and GSM/GPRS handsets and telecommunications equipment. ROSE Telecom has recently signed an agreement to supply 5.5 million CDMA handsets to India, with planned imminent deployment into the Middle East, Indonesia, and China. The company is explicitly focused on the ultra low-cost cell phone market to bring the latest technology to developing nations.
Milos Djokovic, President and CEO of Zi Corporation said: "This agreement reaffirms the key role that Zi Corporation's technology has established in the global marketplace and in particular Asia. Manufacturers are under intense pressure to deliver differentiated handsets with increasing levels of functionality at low cost. We are excited about the opportunity to help ROSE Telecom deploy technology quickly and cost effectively."
MC Kim, President of ROSE Telecom Co., Ltd. said: "Our aim is to supply ultra low cost handsets to users who may not normally have access to the latest mobile technology. We are looking at cutting the cost of handsets without losing the quality, with the aim of diminishing the gap of digital divide between developed and underdeveloped nations. We are pleased to be working with Zi Corporation, as we can now incorporate the latest predictive text software onto our devices."
About ROSE Telecom Co., Ltd.
ROSE Telecom Co., Ltd. was founded in November 2005. For more information please visit www.rosetelecom.com.
About eZiText
Zi Corporation's user-friendly text input system, eZiText, enables consumer electronic manufacturers and telecom carriers to provide end users with richer, more personalized text input experiences. eZiText provides faster and more efficient text entry through truly predictive one-touch entry and word completion, coupled with the ability to learn from a person's usage patterns and new vocabulary. eZiText is available in and supports 58 unique language databases.
About Zi Corporation
Zi Corporation (www.zicorp.com) is a technology company that delivers intelligent interface solutions to enhance the user experience of wireless and consumer technologies. The company provides device manufacturers and network operators with a full range of intuitive and easy-to-use input solutions, including: eZiText® for one-touch predictive text entry; eZiType for keyboard prediction with auto-correction; Decuma® for predictive pen-input handwriting recognition; and the Qix service discovery engine to enhance the user experience and drive service usage and adoption. Zi's product portfolio dramatically improves the usability of mobile phones, PDAs, gaming devices and set-top boxes and the applications on them including SMS, MMS, e-mail and Internet browsing. Zi supports its strategic partners and customers from offices in Asia, Europe and North America. A publicly traded company, Zi Corporation is listed on the Nasdaq National Market (ZICA) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (ZIC).-30-
Zi, eZiType, eZiText, Decuma and Qix and are either trademarks or registered trademarks of the Zi Group of Companies. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
For more information:
For Zi Corporation:
GBCS PR
Brian Dolby
+44 (0) 115 948 6901
brian@gbcspr.com
Allen & Caron Inc. (investor relations)
Jill Bertotti
(949) 474-4300
jill@allencaron.com
For Zi Corporation:
Business Development Division
Michelle Yeon Ju Park
+82(2)-539-7701
fresia@rosetelecom.com