LAS VEGAS and BURLINGTON, Mass. – January 8, 2014 – Nuance Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: NUAN) and ZTE Corporation today announced an all new ZTE Car Mode application for ZTE Android devices at CES 2014 in Las Vegas – a result of the two companies’ collaboration to bring advanced voice applications to ZTE Android devices worldwide.
ZTE has already integrated Nuance’s powerful voice recognition technology to create an eyes-free, hands-free mobile app experience for drivers that is accessible from their ZTE smartphone. Now, ZTE is integrating Nuance’s voice biometrics technology for screen unlock. With each different user’s voiceprint, ZTE smartphones will access the general mode or child mode instantly – no swiping, PINS, passwords or hands required.
ZTE is also launching voice-enabled navigation search and music barge-in optimized for ZTE handsets within an automotive environment. The new, intuitive voice-enabled navigation function leverages Nuance’s natural language understanding (NLU) to allow people to easily find points of interest. For example, people could say, “Where is Union Square?” and Car Mode will automatically show you Google Map for POI directions. Or, someone could say, “Take me to the post office” and Car Mode will search for the nearest post office and provide spoken directions.
Car Mode’s music barge-in feature allows people to interrupt the system with spoken commands. People can say “Pause,” “Stop,” “Play next song” or “Play previous song” while music is playing to control their music experience – hands-free and eyes-free to minimize distraction behind the wheel.
“Voice biometrics, natural language navigation and music barge-in are breakthroughs in handset-based telematics, giving people the connectivity they expect as part of a mobile lifestyle, while minimizing dangerous in-car distractions. Nuance’s advanced voice technology provides us with diversified and innovative speech capabilities for our mobile devices, giving users truly intelligent, safe and great mobile experiences,” said Mr. Zeng Xuezhong, executive vice president and head of Mobile Devices of ZTE.
“Working with ZTE, we are transforming the in-car smartphone experience to bring consumers an incredibly intelligent and convenient way to stay connected, informed and entertained behind the wheel,” said Michael Thompson, executive vice president and general manager, Nuance Mobile. “Combing voice biometrics with our voice technologies optimized for the in-car environment results in a smarter, safer – and better – mobile experience for ZTE consumers.”
About ZTE Corporation
ZTE is a publicly-listed global provider of telecommunications equipment and network solutions with the most comprehensive product range covering virtually every sector of the wireline, wireless, service and terminals markets. The company delivers innovative, custom-made products and services to over 500 operators in more than 140 countries, helping them to meet the changing needs of their customers while achieving continued revenue growth. ZTE’s 2010 revenue led the industry with a 21% increase to USD10.609 billion. ZTE commits 10 percent of its revenue to research and development and takes a leading role in a wide range of international bodies developing emerging telecoms standards. A company with sound corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, ZTE is a member of the UN Global Compact. ZTE is China’s only listed telecom manufacturer, publicly traded on both the Hong Kong and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges (H share stock code: 0763.HK / A share stock code: 000063.SZ). For more information, please visit www.zte.com.cn.
About Nuance Communications, Inc.
Nuance Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: NUAN) is a leading provider of voice and language solutions for businesses and consumers around the world. Its technologies, applications and services make the user experience more compelling by transforming the way people interact with devices and systems. Every day, millions of users and thousands of businesses experience Nuance’s proven applications. For more information, please visit www.nuance.com.
Nuance and the Nuance logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Nuance Communications, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States of America and/or other countries. All other company names or product names may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
