Europe
: Zi Corporation 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.