From: "Dana Larson" <danal@kmcgroup.com>
To: <cool@lwn.net>
Subject: conversay speech-enables the first Linux-based PDA
Date: Mon, 8 Jan 2001 08:54:40 -0800

Elizabeth,


Conversay speech-enables the first Linux PDA
Device developed by G.Mate and CenterComm also features location-based
services and wireless connectivity for the automotive market

REDMOND, Wash. (Jan. 8, 2001) - Conversay, a global leader in speech
technology solutions for both mobile and traditional Internet access
devices, announced it will provide the speech interface for the Linux-based
YOPY® PDA system, making it the first Linux PDA to employ a speech
interface.  G.Mate, from Seoul, South Korea, and CenterComm of San Diego,
Calif., developed the YOPY system.

  "Support of Linux was a natural step for Conversay," said Matt Scheuing,
executive vice president of sales and marketing at Conversay. "Based on the
number of initiatives we're encountering, Linux is the new hot platform for
handhelds. We are pleased that our next-generation system will be a part of
the YOPY - this is a state-of-the-art device and nicely complements the work
we've done with other platforms, such as Pocket PC."

Conversay's speech recognition and text synthesis engine will be
incorporated into the device - the world's first Linux-based PDA - expected
for worldwide release in first quarter of 2001. Using spoken commands in
natural language, users of speech-enabled YOPY devices can access and use
GPS positioning services, through an application developed by CenterComm,
aimed primarily for use in automotive environments. It provides location and
direction services, along with digital mapping, that will be accessible
through spoken command and control. Users will also have access to normal
PDA functions, such as Web browsing, e-mail, scheduling, contact lists,
games, and other applications.

"We see the speech-enabled YOPY as expanding the popular conception of what
a PDA can do," said Sang-Un Yoo, chief operating officer at G.Mate. "Between
Conversay's speech interface and the CenterComm GPS services for automotive
use, the YOPY really does a lot more than the ordinary PDA."

"Adding the speech interface makes our location services a natural for the
automotive environment," said Kiem Le, president and CEO at CenterComm.
"Being able to ask for location and direction, and have them spoken back to
you, makes it a completely hands-free system that is ideal for use in the
car."

Beginning with the YOPY, Linux-based devices are expected to grow to nine
percent of the handheld device market by 2003, according to analyst group
ResearchPortal.com. The CenterComm application means this version of the
YOPY will not only be a consumer product, but has market potential with auto
manufacturers and after-market auto manufacturers, as well as corporate
users.
About CenterComm

Founded in 1997, CenterComm is a GPS navigation system company that has
developed a proprietary and state-of-the-art system solution which
incorporates the most accurate and comprehensive digital map available, to
provide portable and real-time navigation and tracking services.

About G.Mate
G.Mate is a leading developer of portable PCs based on embedded Linux.
Formed in 1998 as a mobile computer development company, G.Mate is the
leading Bluetooth developer approved by the government of South Korea. Its
original design of the YOPY was the world's first Linux-based PDA. G.Mate
was recognized in December 2000 by the South Korea Ministry of Information
and Communication as one of the country's "promising
information/communication enterprises." More information on G.Mate is
available at www.gmate.co.kr.

About Conversay
Founded in 1994, Conversay provides solutions that enable voice interaction
with networked information, including the Internet, when other interfaces
are difficult or impossible. Built on an innovative speech engine,
Conversay® technology is speaker-independent, modular, scalable and
accommodates unlimited vocabulary, making it ideally suited for embedded
applications. It also drives award-winning products including a voice
browser, desktop and web developer tools, and a conversational server. With
headquarters in Redmond, Wash., Conversay is located on the web at
www.conversay.com.
###


Conversay is a trademark of Conversational Computing Corp. All other
trademarks are property of their respective owners.


Press Access Client