Survey group concludes Qix™ software positively impacts device & service usability

 London, UK and Calgary, AB, Canada - October 10, 2005 - Zi Corporation (Nasdaq: ZICA), (TSX: ZIC), the only single-vendor of intelligent interface solutions, will be showcasing its range of innovative multi-modal input technologies and will share recent usability findings at this week’s.Smartphone Show by Symbian (11-12 October, ExCel Centre, London). Zi’s technology is backed by recent findings from user groups indicating Zi’s Qix™ service discovery engine makes devices more usable. And, it is well known in the mobile industry that usability drives usage which drives average revenue per user. Thus, industry leaders are seeing Qix as a key enabler of the take up of innovative 3G services.

 In September, user groups trialed Zi’s Qix software. The study revealed that:

Majority of respondents commented that complex tasks such as accessing the Internet, or applications on the handset were made simple using Qix and the likelihood of them trying these applications increased.
Voice centric users indicated that text messaging is much easier when using Qix with comments such as “I like that it would make my life easier to send a text message.”
Augmenting the mobile phone menu system for easier access to phone features and services will likely improve user perceptions and habits.
 

Zi will be giving personal demonstrations of Qix live on Stand 83. In addition to showcasing its leading product range including eZiTap™ intelligent multi-tap entry, eZiText® one-touch prediction and Decuma® natural handwriting recognition, Zi will be contributing to the technical seminars which are an important part of the Smartphone event. These seminars will provide a key learning opportunity and the chance to see the latest phones, software developments and applications demonstrated.

 Jacques LaPointe, Director of Product Management at Zi Corporation, will be discussing the key findings of the research in his seminar presentation entitled: “Augmenting the UI to Increase Usability, and Encourage Service and Application Usage in the 3G Environment”. LaPointe will be speaking at 1 pm on Tuesday 11 October.

 LaPointe will be sharing some of the results of the new third party focus group study on Zi’s new Qix service discovery engine. “The study illustrates how in today’s emerging 3G and data-centric environment, voice centric users are still struggling with simple phone functions and services and are stubbornly clinging solely to voice usage,” said LaPointe. “Using Qix, the study provides evidence that improving the user interface with out-of-the-box thinking beyond the traditionally structured menu and icon systems will change user perceptions and lead to increased ease of use.”

 The highlight of the Zi stand (Stand number 83) will be the availability of download versions of some of its technologies for Symbian OS devices to show attendees. Downloads include eZiText – advanced predictive text for the 12 button keypad (for select Nokia Series 60 handsets), eZiTap FEP – predictive keyboard entry and Decuma – natural handwriting recognition (both for Sony Ericsson P800/900/910 UIQ smartphones). Normally available for US$19.95 through Handango, Zi will be offering free downloads of these product to visitors to the Smartphone Show.

For media interviews or tours at the Smartphone Show, please contact Brian Dolby or Bethany Caldwell at GBCS PR on +44 (0) 115 948 6901 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . For customer or partner meetings, please contact Linda Wu at Zi Corporation at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 About 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; eZiTap for intelligent multi-tap entry, Decuma for natural handwriting recognition and the new 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).