GENERAL MAGIC "VOICE AGENTS" INTERACT WITH WEB USERS BY PHONE.

General Magic, Inc., (Nasdaq: GMGC), San Diego, Calif., a recognized leader in voice and agent technologies, has introduced its latest advances to help busy people get things done on the World Wide Web

General Magic's new voice agent technology, code named "Kenya," was shown for the first time at the DemoMobile conference, a gathering for high-tech industry insiders. Kenya is software used to create voice agents. Voice agents monitor and act on Web content on the individual's behalf. They also call the user when they have updates or need the user's input on important matters. This allows the user to benefit from Web content virtually any time, all through the convenience of their own voice.

When a Kenya voice agent finds something the user should know about immediately, or needs the user's input to complete an online purchase, for example, it places a call. The user talks to the voice agent in a conversational way to tell it how to proceed. The user could also call the voice agent to get updates on specific Web transactions.

"Before it will be widely useful, Internet agent technology needs to evolve to address every-day problems," said Chris Shipley, executive producer of the DemoMobile conference. "General Magic's Kenya technology is an advancement that puts the power of agents within easy reach of anyone who uses the Web to fulfill business and personal interests."

At DemoMobile, General Magic was using an auction Web site to demonstrate how the new technology works. In the demo, the voice agent called a user when he had been outbid on an item. The user was told the amount of the higher bid, given the choice of placing a new bid, and reminded of the minimum bid increase on that particular item.

Using simple conversational language, the user could tell the voice agent to place a new bid and for what amount. The voice agent went back to the auction site, placed the new bid, and confirmed for the user that the new amount had been entered.

The voice agent technology also allows a user to get updates on all items he has bid on at any time by calling in and saying something as simple as "Get me my bids." To hear an audio clip, visit http://www.genmagic.com/portico/demos/agent_demo.ram

General Magic intends to add the Kenya technology to its Portico virtual assistant service this year. In addition, the company plans to offer a software developer's kit by the end of the year so partners can create agent-based applications with the Kenya technology.

"We've come to rely on the Web as a vital tool for everything from education to entertainment to e-commerce," said Rich Ghiossi, vice president of Product Marketing at General Magic. "We believe Kenya will change the way that people interact with the Web. You'll be able to get the specific information you want, and it will be readily available over the phone when you need it."

How It Works

Kenya voice agent technology exploits the eXtensible Markup Language (XML). XML is a widely accepted universal format for defining and sharing information on the World Wide Web. Kenya technology uses XML to define the rules that voice agents follow and to store the parameters that personalize the agents for the user. The use of XML makes it easy for developers to create voice agent applications.

The Kenya voice agent technology is integrated with General Magic's magicTalk voice user interface platform. magicTalk provides the "personality" that people interact with in General Magic's voice-enabled services, including the Portico virtual assistant. Because of their tie to magicTalk, voice agents have the unique ability to communicate in an engaging way with users over the phone.

"Our voice agent software, coupled with the magicTalk voice user interface, will deliver greater personal productivity," said Danny Lange, director of Agent Technology at General Magic. "For developers, Kenya combines XML with scripting techniques to provide an ideal way to quickly develop Web-based applications that leverage the power of voice."

About General Magic

General Magic offers integrated voice-enabled services that make communication and access to information easy and convenient for people, no matter where they are. The company's development efforts are founded on its patented agent technology and innovative voice user interface to provide simple, yet effective ways for people to keep in touch with the information they need to be successful. For more information on General Magic, visit the company's Web site at http://www.generalmagic.com.

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