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Kurzweil Applied Intelligence introduces VoicePad for Windows 95

June 3, 1996, 8:12 AM EDT

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 3, 1996--Kurzweil Applied Intelligence, Inc. (NASDAQ:KURZ), today announced from COMDEX/Spring `96 Kurzweil VoicePad for Windows 95 Release 1.0, a full-featured, voice-enabled word processing application that users can now download over the Internet. Available as shareware through Kurzweil AI's web site (www.kurzweil.com), Kurzweil VoicePad Release 1.0 provides users with an opportunity to easily and cost-effectively experience the benefits of voice recognition technology.

"We are excited about the opportunity to provide PC users with their first voice-enabled computing experience," said Mark D. Flanagan, executive vice president of Kurzweil AI, and general manager of the Company's PC Applications Group. "Through Kurzweil VoicePad, these users will begin to realize the productivity-enhancing benefits associated with voice recognition technology. And, by distributing this application over the Internet,we will be able to reach a much broader audience than ever before."

Kurzweil VoicePad Release 1.0 enables PC users to seamlessly integrate voice input with the keyboard and mouse, creating a natural and intuitive approach to document creation. The product supports voice input for both dictation and navigation. Users can create text, enter data and control the word processing application simply by speaking into their PC.

Kurzweil VoicePad Release 1.0 can be used to create memos, letters, reports and other documents through dictation. Users can also format text, navigate through the application's menus and dialogs, change the application's settings, and preview and print documents using intuitive voice commands. In addition, Kurzweil VoicePad integrates continuous digit recognition with its discrete dictation capabilities so users can quickly and efficiently enter telephone numbers, street addresses, zip codes, dollar amounts, social security numbers and other numeric data directly into the documents they create.

Kurzweil VoicePad Release 1.0 has an active vocabulary of 12,000 commonly spoken words, and the ability to add an additional 500 user-specific words. The product does not require any training, and can also be used as soon as it is downloaded.

"Kurzweil AI has made great strides over the past two years in transforming their speech recognition technology into easy-to-use mass market products. Using the Internet to distribute Kurzweil VoicePad is a great way to introduce voice-enabled PC computing to large numbers of new users. For these first time users, this product should provide a very positive experience with voice recognition technology," said Jeffrey Tarter, editor/publisher, Soft-letter.

Kurzweil AI is working closely with Telex Communications, Inc. to introduce Kurzweil VoicePad Release 1.0 and make the Telex Nomad microphone available to users at a special introductory price. "Kurzweil VoicePad is an outstanding application, one that we believe will provide a wide range of PC users with their first voice-enabled document creation experience," said Tyler J. Norenberg, director of market development, Multimedia/Audio Communications Group, Telex Communications, Inc. "Kurzweil VoicePad was specifically designed to work with our industry-standard, noise-canceling Telex Nomad microphone. Although we expect some people might begin using Kurzweil VoicePad with the microphone that came with their sound board or PC, the Kurzweil VoicePad/Telex Nomad combination will ensure maximum performance."

In addition to the Telex Nomad microphone, the system requirements for Kurzweil VoicePad Release 1.0 include: a Pentium-based microprocessor; 5 MBs of dedicated RAM (this is in addition to the RAM required for the operating system and applications); Windows 95; a sound board from Creative Labs, or some other Windows-compatible, 16-bit sound board; 20 MBs of dedicated hard disk space; and, a VGA or higher resolution video adapter. A high-quality speaker system for multimedia PCs is recommended for Kurzweil VoicePad's on-line demo, and a 28.8-Kbps modem is recommended for the download.

After users have registered with Kurzweil AI, they can download Kurzweil VoicePad Release 1.0 from the Company's web site for free. Once they have had a chance to experience the benefits of Kurzweil VoicePad, they can purchase it directly from Kurzweil AI for $49.95. If they decide they want to voice-enable other popular Windows applications, or would benefit from a larger active vocabulary because of their business or profession, they can upgrade to Kurzweil VOICE for Windows Release 2.0 by calling 1-800-380-1234. Registered users can also contact Telex Communications by visiting their web site (www.telex.com/mac/computeraudio/nomad.html), or by calling 1-800-328-3771 to purchase the Telex Nomad microphone for the special introductory of price $19.95.

Telex Communications, Inc. is a premier manufacturer of audio communications products for a diverse group of markets including computer audio, multimedia, telecommunications, professional audio, aviation, land mobile, RF communications, and hearing instruments. The Company is a leading supplier of computer audio devices to the world's largest computer manufacturers. Telex has served the global market for over 60 years, building a reputation for quality, performance and reliability. The Company is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn. with international offices in London, Singapore, Amsterdam, and Toronto.

Kurzweil Applied Intelligence, Inc., headquartered in Waltham, Mass., was founded in 1982. The Company develops, markets and supports automated speech recognition systems used to create documents and interact with computers by voice. Kurzweil VOICE is an easy-to-use voice recognition system for Windows-based PCs, and Kurzweil VoicePad for Windows 95 is a voice-enabled word processing application. The Company's clinical reporting systems, VoiceMED and Kurzweil Clinical Reporter, are used in over 500 healthcare institutions nationwide.

All product names referenced herein are trademarks of their respective companies.