Embedded Speech Technology from Nuance

Text-to-Speech Unlocks the Power of New Pantech GSM Phones

Nuance Communications, Inc., a leading supplier of speech and imaging solutions, today announced that the Pantech Group, the second largest mobile phone company in South Korea, has selected speech solutions from Nuance Communications to power its PG-6200, PG-8000 and PG-3700 handsets in multiple languages, including Russian, English and Mandarin Chinese. The products are already available in the Russian and Taiwanese markets.

Pantech's new GSM models, with advanced camera and multimedia functionality, are intended for sophisticated handset users. The phones include RealSpeakâ„¢ Mobile SF from Nuance, the industry's leading text-to-speech engine, to accurately convert text into highly intelligible, synthesized speech. RealSpeak Mobile is embedded in devices to deliver high-quality text-to-speech readout of SMS and email messages.

"We believe this partnership with Nuance Communications will add a significant edge both to our handsets and our ability to roll out new products in different parts of the world," said Tae Hyun Jung, vice president, R&D planning division, Pantech Group. "Our goals is to selectively increase the scope of our service in a number of key markets, and being able to provide handsets that are fully functional in local languages will be integral to this process."

"Phones have always been a natural for speech technology, but until recently handsets lacked the processing power and memory to make it work," said Craig Peddie, vice president, Embedded Speech Solutions, Nuance. "Today this has changed, and there are now 50 million phones shipping with Nuance speech technologies. Our technology is cost effective, accurate, easy to use, and easy to integrate, providing value for the user, the manufacturer and the operator."

More than 30 manufacturers worldwide have implemented Nuance solutions in more than 50 million devices around the world, including cellular phones, smart phones and PDAs. Its current customer portfolio includes many of the leaders in the wireless and device industries, including LG Electronics, Motorola, NEC, Analog Devices, Agere Systems, Hitachi, Intel, Mitsubishi Electric, Samsung, Panasonic, Qualcomm and Texas Instruments.

By Nuance