Andrea Electronics Headsets and Conversa Web-tm Software Sold Together As Ultimate Voice-driven Web Search Solution.LONG ISLAND CITY, NY/REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 27, 1998-- Partnership Brings New Level of Accuracy to Voice-Enabled Web Surfing Refers to jumping from page to page on the Web. Just as in "TV channel surfing," where one clicks the remote to go from channel to channel, the hyperlink on Web pages makes it easy to jump from one page to another. for Consumer, SO/HO and Corporate Users Andrea Electronics Corporation (AMEX AMEX See: American Stock Exchange : AND) and Conversational Computing Corporation announced today that they will jointly package and sell Andrea Electronics' patented Active Noise Cancellation (1) The elimination of unwanted signals in an electronic circuit. See noise and dynamic noise reduction. (2) The elimination of unwanted noise in the environment using noise cancelling headphones. (ANC ANC abbr. African National Congress ANC African National Congress: South African political movement instrumental in bringing an end to apartheid ANC n abbr (= ) and Andrea Anti-Noise(R) headsets with Conversa Web(tm) voice-enabled Internet browser See Web browser. software through combined retail channels. The arrangement brings together Conversational Computing's Conversa Web, a proprietary search engine and winner of the 1998 Internet World "Most Outstanding Desktop Software" award, with the superior quality of Andrea Electronics' headsets, which enhance voice application accuracy and performance by effectively canceling out background noise at the source. Bringing these technologies together means computer users at home and at work can speak naturally to the PC and instantaneously "surf" from hot link to hot link. The partnership is Conversational Computing's only software-and-headset bundling agreement to date, and will forward Andrea Electronics' objective to offer business and home PC users the advantages of hands-free computing Hands-free computing is a term used to describe configuration of computers so that they can be used by persons without the use of the hands interfacing with commonly used human interface devices such as the mouse and keyboard. that only the top speech-enabled software and microphone technology can provide. "Having identified voice as the next-generation human-machine interface that will bring increased capabilities and conveniences to computer and communications industry communications industry, broadly defined, the business of conveying information. Although communication by means of symbols and gestures dates to the beginning of human history, the term generally refers to mass communications. consumers," said John N. Andrea, co-president of Andrea Electronics Corporation, "we are very pleased to be able to enhance the value of our ProVoiceSolutions(TM) headset series by offering the voice-enabled, user-friendly Web browsing functions of Conversa Web software. Combining voice application software with our highest quality and performing ANC headsets, Andrea ProVoiceSolutions products provide users with exceptional productivity and performance enhancement that we believe will benefit and advance SO/HO, corporate and call center markets." Partnership Offers Several Purchasing Options Together, the companies intend to offer a variety of packaging options. Andrea Electronics has licensed Conversa, which comes with Internet Explorer Microsoft's Web browser, which comes with Windows starting with Windows 98. Commonly called "IE," versions for Mac and Unix are also available. Internet Explorer is the most widely used Web browser on the market. It has also been the browser engine in AOL's Internet access software. 4.0, to be included on a CD-ROM CD-ROM: see compact disc. CD-ROM in full compact disc read-only memory Type of computer storage medium that is read optically (e.g., by a laser). of free software that Andrea Electronics will include in packages of its newest line of high-end, patented Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) headsets, the Andrea ProVoiceSolutions series. The ProVoiceSolutions series will be offered for purchase through Andrea Electronics' online store (www.andreaelectronics.com) or customer service number (800-707-5779), through additional Internet commerce sites and through various business-to-business and retail distribution channels beginning in the Fall of 1998. In addition, Conversational Computing has already begun including Andrea NC -80 Noise Cancellation headsets as the sole microphone choice for sale with its Conversa Web software through Conversational Computing's established retail distribution channels. Conversa Web is available for sale at CompUSA, Best Buy, MediaPlay, Micro Center, J&R, and other major retail stores at an MSRP MSRP Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price MSRP Message Session Relay Protocol MSRP Multi-Species Recovery Plan (US Fish & Wildlife Service) MSRP Member of the Society for Radiological Protection (UK) of $59.95. "Including Conversa Web in Andrea Electronics' retail boxes offers us a terrific opportunity to expand our reach," explained Steve Rondel ron·del n. 1. A poem similar to a rondeau, having 13 or 14 lines with two rhymes throughout. The first and second lines reappear in the middle and at the end, although sometimes only the first line appears at the end. 2. , chairman and chief executive officer of Conversational Computing Corporation. "We feel that Andrea Electronics' ANC microphones, and in particular the new ProVoiceSolutions headset series, are of the highest quality and performance, and customers will find that our two products compliment one another perfectly." "In addition, including an Andrea headset with our Conversa Web software enhances our ability to deliver a speech product that brings a new level of functionality, performance, ease-of-use and capabilities to exploring and exploiting the Internet," said Mr. Rondel. "The Andrea NC-80's price/performance superiority made it a natural choice to be the sole headset provided in our Conversa Web retail packages." About The Andrea ProVoiceSolutions Series Andrea Electronics will include a newly customized, full function version of Conversa Web on a CD-ROM of free software that will be packaged with all ProVoiceSolutions series headsets. The Andrea ProVoiceSolutions series includes: - Andrea ANC-600 Monaural See monophonic. and Andrea ANC-650 Stereo Headsets with patented ANC microphone technology, CD-quality digital sound and a sturdy, yet comfortable, design for improved PC and telephone communication. MSRPs of $79.95 and $89.95, respectively. - Andrea ANC-700 Monaural and Andrea ANC-750 Stereo Headsets with patented ANC microphone technology, acoustic performance and design comfort, as well as enhanced durability for PC and telephone communication. The durable design includes an easily positioned, high-caliber boom with an Andrea ANC microphone and a new speaker housing design that optimizes the acoustic performance of the earphone See earbuds. (s), providing additional noise reduction properties and pre-equalized, CD-quality digital sound. MSRPs are $99.95 and $124.95, respectively. - ANC-700 and ANC-750 ProVoiceSolutions Business Editions, which come with the Andrea MC-100 multimedia audio controller, a universal microphone power supply that brings the sound card interface to the desktop for in-line headset volume control and headset-to-multimedia speakers toggling. MSRPs are $124.95 and $149.95, respectively. About the Andrea NC-80 Headset The Andrea NC-80 is an ultra-lightweight, monaural headset with a flex-boom-mounted Noise Cancellation (NC) microphone that significantly reduces the negative effects of background noise, which corrupts voice clarity and can impede the performance of speech-centric applications. Every Andrea NC-80 headset included in a Conversa Web package will come with an Andrea Electronics product catalog and an offer for users to upgrade to any Andrea Active Noise Cancellation headset, including any Andrea ProVoiceSolutions headset, at a special price. About Andrea Electronics Andrea Electronics Corporation designs, develops and manufactures audio technologies and equipment for applications incorporating natural language interfaces. The Company's patented Active Noise Reduction (ANR ANR - Automatic Network Routing ) earphone and Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) near-field microphone technologies are incorporated into a wide range of audio products to eliminate background noise and ensure the optimum performance of voice applications. Applications for the Company's technologies include speech recognition programs, Internet telephony Another term for IP telephony and VoIP. In the late 1990s, some people made a distinction between Internet Telephony and VoIP: Internet telephony referred to voice over the public Internet, while VoIP referred to voice over private IP networks. , video/audio conferencing, automobile PCs, home automation systems, hand-held devices, and multi-player online games, among others. For further information about Andrea Electronics, contact Molly M. Jahncke or Carolynne O'Grady at 800/442-7787 or via e-mail at mjahncke@andreaelectronics.com. For press inquiries, contact Kelly Barry with Technology Solutions at 202/696-2000 or kbarry@tsipr.com. About Conversa Established in 1994, privately held Conversational Computing Corporation develops and markets cutting-edge speech recognition software. Based in Redmond, Washington Redmond is a city in King County, Washington, USA. It is situated on the eastern edge of the Seattle urban area, in what is known as the Eastside. In 2003 the Census Bureau estimated the city population was 46,391. , Conversa is working toward a future where Conversational Computing(tm), a paradigm that explains its technology, will allow users to interact with their environment intuitively and naturally. The company's award-winning products, designed both for PC and non-PC applications, use natural language to help the user complete tasks. Conversa tools and applications offer the user a wide variety of computing opportunities such as talking to Noun 1. talking to - a lengthy rebuke; "a good lecture was my father's idea of discipline"; "the teacher gave him a talking to" lecture, speech rebuke, reprehension, reprimand, reproof, reproval - an act or expression of criticism and censure; "he had to the computer, managing e-mail and voice messages over the telephone, and using voice to surf the Web. Conversa's proprietary speech engine is speaker-independent and therefore the user does not need to train the computer to recognize his or her voice. Conversa's home office is located at 8522 154th Avenue NE, Redmond, WA 98052. Phone: 425/895-1800 or toll-free at 888/487-4373. FAX: 425/861-8664. Please direct all editorial inquiries to either Roni Kaye or David Kaye at KPR KPR Kawartha Pine Ridge (Canada) KPR Kansas Public Radio KPR Kennewick, Pasco, Richland (Tri-cities Washington) KPR Kentucky Performance Report KPR Ketopantoate Reductase KPR Korean People's Republic , Inc. Phone: 818/368-8212, FAX: 818/368-8212, E-mail: roni@kprinc.com or dave@kprinc.com. This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA) implemented several significant substantive changes affecting certain cases brought under the federal securities laws, including changes related to pleading, discovery, liability, class representation and awards fees and of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties or other factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, those discussed under the heading "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" included in the Management's Discussion and Analysis Management's discussion and analysis (MD&A) A report from management to shareholders that accompanies the firm's financial statements in the annual report. It explains the period's financial results and enables management to discuss topics that may not be apparent in the financial of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K Form 10-K A report required by the SEC from exchange-listed companies that provides for annual disclosure of certain financial information. Form 10-K See 10-K. and in the Company's Annual Report to Stockholders, and in documents subsequently filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. "Andrea ProVoiceSolutions" is a trademark of Andrea Electronics Corporation. "DSDA DSDA Defence Storage & Distribution Agency (UK Ministry of Defence) DSDA Danish Securities Dealers Association DSDA Doomed Speed Demos Archive DSDA Debt Service Deposit Agreement DSDA Document Storage and Data Archiving " is a trademark of Andrea Electronics Corporation.
CONTACT: AT ANDREA ELECTRONICS
Molly Jahncke
Andrea Electronics
800.442.7787
mjahncke@andreaelectronics.com
or
AT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS
Kelly Barry
TSI for Andrea Electronics
212.696.2000
kbarry@tsipr.com
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