Neo Car MP3 Jukebox Integrates Fonix iSpeak

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Aug. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Fonix Corporation (BULLETIN BOARD: FONX) , a leading provider of natural-user interface technology, and SSI America announced today the release of the Fonix iSpeak application for SSI America's Neo Car Jukebox, a popular hard-drive based MP3 player for automotive use. Fonix iSpeak a dynamic and easy-to-listen-to Text-To-Speech (TTS) technology, enables drivers and passengers to hear song titles, folder names, and play-lists spoken in a natural-sounding human voice, allowing for safer, more convenient music navigation on the popular MP3 device.

The new Neo Car Jukebox speech application is currently available to both end-users and to automotive OEMs who sell their own factory installed, private-label versions of the Neo Car Jukebox. The speech interface is available through http://www.ssiamerica.com/products/neo35/speech.shtml priced at $39.99 (MSRP) and includes the speech software, a speech-capable chip, and installation instructions.

"iSpeak has served as the platform for other enhancements to our product line, most notably with our Neo Jukebox portable MP3 player," said James Buchheim, president of SSI America. "Along with our customers, we're convinced that Fonix provides the clearest, most cost-effective TTS solution on the market. This addition to Neo Car Jukebox provides a new level of hands-free convenience to one of our premier products."

"Fonix iSpeak voice interface is a natural in the automotive environment. Adding iSpeak to the Neo Car Jukebox allows drivers to concentrate on their driving, yet enjoy all the benefits of one of the best auto MP3 players available," said Kurt Flygare, vice president of sales for Fonix Corporation. "We're pleased to be able to extend our relationship with SSI America through this valuable and low-cost upgrade for the Neo Car Jukebox."

Fast, Easy MP3 Navigation
SSI America's Neo Car Jukebox is a breakthrough device in the world of automotive entertainment. Packaged as a self-contained, portable unit, Neo Car Jukebox slides out of its dashboard, console, or trunk mount for easy download of CDs and MP3 files from a host computer. Users simply slide the device into the USB or PC bay on their computer, transfer the desired songs, and slide it back out. The hard-drive based product, available in 20/40/80 GB storage capacities that store up to 20,000 songs, supports extremely fast download, enabling music enthusiasts to organize and playback every song they own via one simple device.

Neo Car Jukebox's new speech solution option allows users to hear track selections spoken aloud before playback. The technology speaks folder and subfolder names, song names, and playlists, freeing listeners from having to look at the unit's LCD display or remote control panel. Using the iSpeak-supported option, listeners never lose track of where they are navigating, making music selection easy, fast, and organized.

Leading TTS Technology
Fonix iSpeak uses award-winning concatenative TTS that includes inflections, intonations, and pauses. The technology has been used in multiple applications and user environments to power website, document, email, and music playback for PCs, PDAs and other digital devices.

Earlier this year Fonix and SSI America announced an iSpeak upgrade option for the Neo Jukebox portable MP3 player. The software enables Neo Jukebox users to listen to any computer-downloaded text while on the go.

For more information about the speech solution option for the Neo Car Jukebox, visit http://www.ssiamerica.com/products/neo35/speech.shtml . Additional information about iSpeak and Fonix Corporation's other TTS and Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) technologies can be found at http://www.fonix.com/ .

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Web site: http://www.ssiamerica.com/products/neo35/speech.shtml
Web site: http://www.fonix.com/