Zi Corporation will be demoing their Qix discovery engine technology at the Smartphone Show and talking about recent research showing Qix has the potential to become a key enabler. Qix is an innovative solution to the problem of increasingly complex click paths as Smartphones add more features and applications. Qix brings up a list of options (Contacts, Programs, Bookmarks and more) after a user starts typing the name or number on the phone keypad allowing for speedy access. Additionally Zi will be providing visitors to their stand (83) with free (usually $19.95 through Handango) copies of their eZiText (Series 60) and eZiText FEP (UIQ) programs.

Press Release:

Zi technology to be key enabler of 3G services
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.