e.Digital Corporation (fka EDIG)

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SpeechWorks to Support Microsoft Speech API 5.0
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/04-05-2001/0001463200&...

REDMOND, Wash., April 5 /PRNewswire/ --
Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) today announced a licensing agreement with
SpeechWorks International Inc. (Nasdaq: SPWX), a leader in the network-based
speech technology industry. Under the agreement, Microsoft licensed
SpeechWorks' Speechify text-to-speech (TTS) engine, a technology that makes it
possible for text-based information such as e-mail, news and other dynamic
content to be read to callers automatically. Due to its highly natural sound
quality, the Speechify engine can improve speech-activated services that allow
consumers to obtain information and complete transactions over any phone.

"This agreement with SpeechWorks, an innovative speech technology leader,
is consistent with Microsoft's vision for empowering people any time, any
place and on any device," said Kai-Fu Lee, vice president of the .NET Services
Group at Microsoft. "The Speechify text-to-speech engine has established
itself as a leading technology for converting text to speech for telephony
service users."

SpeechWorks' technology aims to have content as accessible from mobile
devices as it is from today's computer-based Web browsers.

"We are pleased that Microsoft has chosen to license our technology," said
Stuart R. Patterson, CEO of SpeechWorks. "Microsoft's selection of SpeechWorks
is an exciting endorsement of our speech technologies as the interface of
choice for mobile phones and other devices."

In addition, SpeechWorks' Speechify text-to-speech engine will support the
latest version of the Microsoft(R) speech application programming interface
(SAPI 5.0) in order to help a large number of existing SAPI developers support
telephony speech applications and services.

"We are pleased to see SpeechWorks support SAPI 5.0, an open speech
platform that brings application developers and engine developers together to
expedite speech application deployment," said Lee.

About SpeechWorks
Organizations worldwide rely on SpeechWorks to delight their callers and
provide them with a new level of service over the phone. Complementing the
self-service model of e-business, SpeechWorks speech recognition solutions,
including the revolutionary SpeechSite product, Speechify text-to-speech
engine and SpeechSecure authentication module, let customers direct their
calls, obtain information and complete transactions automatically, simply by
speaking naturally over any phone, any time.

SpeechWorks customers include some of the world's most sophisticated
customer service innovators such as America Online, First Union National Bank,
Microsoft, Thrifty Car Rental and United Airlines. SpeechWorks is
headquartered in Boston and has offices around the world. Learn more about the
speech industry at http://www.globalspeechday.com/ , a free Web event on
May 2.

About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services
and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company
offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people
through great software -- any time, any place and on any device.

NOTE: Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the
United States and/or other countries.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the
trademarks of their respective owners.



SOURCE Microsoft Corp.
Web Site: http://www.microsoft.com
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