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Wizzard
Software Selected to Provide New Voices for Freedom
Scientific, LSG’s WYNN 4.0
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Jun 22, 2005
PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 22, 2005--Wizzard Software
(OTCBB: WIZD) announced today that Freedom Scientific, Learning
Systems Group (LSG), has chosen Wizzard’s offering of AT&T
Natural Voices for use in WYNN 4.0, Freedom Scientific LSG’s
innovative literacy software tool designed to enhance success
for individuals with reading challenges and writing difficulties.
Headquartered in Palo Alto, California, Freedom Scientific,
LSG, provides software programs that are acclaimed for their
easy-to-use interface, innovative technology and flexible
but powerful features. Freedom Scientific also holds corporate
headquarters in St. Petersburg, Florida, as well as European
headquarters in Germany.
"WYNN is known for its intuitive user interface and its ease
of use. The AT&T Natural Voices synthesizers are a perfect
complement to the ease of use by making WYNN easy to listen
to", said Beth Thomlinson, WYNN Product Manager, Freedom Scientific,
LSG.
Thomlinson noted that the decision to use AT&T Natural Voices
was driven by their users who said they would be more comfortable
with a more human-sounding voice while they work or do schoolwork.
Also, AT&T Natural Voices provides them with a good combination
of quality and languages, both of which are important to their
users.
Powered by the AT&T Natural Voices TTS Engine and designed
by educational experts to enhance the learning process for
struggling students, WYNN transforms printed text into the
spoken word by using a bi-modal approach - simultaneous highlighting
of the text as it is spoken. This method is recognized as
aiding reading comprehension and writing skills. WYNN's four
color-coded, rotating toolbars add a unique differentiator
to this software solution to accommodate different learning
styles. The simple point-and-click interface is extremely
easy to use. The toolbars emphasize file management, visual
and auditory presentation of text, traditional study tools,
writing aids and Internet use.
Typical end users of WYNN are students and adults with reading
difficulties, including dyslexia and other learning disabilities.
Freedom Scientific, LSG currently has users in all 50 states,
as well as in Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, Puerto Rico,
and Mexico using WYNN and the company’s other product, TestTalker.
"We are very pleased that Freedom Scientific, LSG gave us
the opportunity to help them respond to their customer requests
for more natural voices," said Danielle Lewis, Marketing Director
for Wizzard Software. "We agree with their conclusions that
AT&T Natural Voices is an exceptional product and quite possibly
the most 'human-sounding' speech engine on the market."
Freedom Scientific LSG’s products offer aid to the growing
number of struggling or learning disabled students. A study
by the National Institutes for Health & National Institute
for Child Health and Human Development, as reported by the
U.S. Department of Education, indicates that about 17% of
individuals (children and adults) in the general population
are considered to have learning disabilities. Since 1992,
the percentage of students who spend 80% or more of their
time in school in special education classes increased from
21% to 45%, according to the 23rd Annual Report to Congress.
According to the U.S. Department of Education, learning disabilities
affect approximately 5% of all children enrolled in public
schools. Further, dyslexia is also widespread, with upwards
of 15-20% of school-age children affected. The National Adult
Literacy Survey (NALS) found a total 40-44 million of the
191 million American adults (defined as age 16 or older) are
considered to be at Level 1, the lowest literacy level.
About Freedom Scientific, Learning Services Group (LSG):
Freedom Scientific, Learning Systems Group, headquartered
in Palo Alto, CA, provides products that are acclaimed for
their easy-to-use interface, innovative technology and flexible
but powerful features. Designed by educational experts to
enhance the learning process for struggling students, WYNN
provides reading and writing solutions. Freedom Scientific
LSG also created TestTalker, which provides test-taking preparation
and worksheet completion. For more information, visit www.freedomscientific.com.
About Wizzard Software
Founded in 1996, Wizzard Software has become a leader
in the speech technology application development market. Wizzard
architects solutions to business problems using its expertise
in consulting, speech development tools and building speech
based applications for the Desktop and Internet. Wizzard has
achieved global recognition because of its expertise with
voice communication whether it is via PC or telephone. Wizzard's
successes have lead to expanding opportunities in both the
government and commercial sectors. In April of 2004, Wizzard
acquired MedivoxRx Technologies. Founded in 2000, MedivoxRx
is the originator of “Rex”, the talking prescription pill
bottle, which “talks” to the patient allowing them to distinguish
what type of medication is in the bottle and hear critical
information on dosage amounts and refill parameters. Additional
information on MedivoxRx can be found at www.rxtalks.com.
More information on Wizzard Software can be found in the Investor's
Corner www.wizzardsoftware.com.
Legal Notice
Legal Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: "Forward-looking
Statements" as defined in the Private Securities litigation
Reform Act of 1995 may be included in this news release. These
statements relate to future events or our future financial
performance. These statements are only predictions and may
differ materially from actual future results or events. We
disclaim any intention or obligation to revise any forward-looking
statements whether as a result of new information, future
developments or otherwise. There are important risk factors
that could cause actual results to differ from those contained
in forward-looking statements, including, but not limited
to risks associated with changes in general economic and business
conditions, actions of our competitors, the extent to which
we are able to develop new services and markets for our services,
the time and expense involved in such development activities,
the level of demand and market acceptance of our services,
changes in our business strategies and acts of terror against
the United States.
IR Contact:
Arthur Douglas and Associates
Art Batson, 407-478-1120
OR
Wizzard Contact:
Danielle Lewis, 412-621-0902
OR
Freedom Scientific, LSG Contact:
Meredith Braselman, 404-375-6815
mbraselman@comcast.net
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