Pronounced Technologies Signs Distribution Agreement With Staples

13 October 1999

Pronounced Technologies Signs Distribution Agreement With Staples Office Superstore

    RESEDA, Calif.--Oct. 12, 1999--Pronounced Technologies LLC has announced that AudioNav(TM), the world's first portable and fully voice-interactive automotive navigation system, will be available at 400 Staples office superstores beginning this month. This agreement establishes Staples as the first retailer to sell the AudioNav nationwide.
    "This is a major milestone for Pronounced Technologies and a truly dynamic opportunity for both companies to offer the most precise, simple and safe-to-operate navigation system to consumers nationwide," said Zaya Younan, president and chief executive officer of Pronounced Technologies.
    "The AudioNav is the only affordable, easy-to-use and fully voice-interactive navigation system for consumers or businesspeople on the go. It's also the world's first navigation unit that can be transported from vehicle to vehicle in minutes, making it an ideal time-saving option for a busy mobile professional, or a solution for an active family's automotive needs. Our one-of-a-kind product will certainly complement Staples' line of high-performance technology products."
    "Our agreement with Pronounced Technologies reflects Staples' commitment to bring the most current technology to our customers," said Doreen Romano, senior vice president, General Merchandise Manager, Furniture and Technology. "This is a truly unique product that will help busy small-business professionals conduct business on the road more easily and efficiently. Voice navigation systems like the AudioNav are a great addition to our extensive line of business technology and wireless communication products."
    The AudioNav is the world's first 100% voice-interactive portable navigation unit built into a CD player. AudioNav utilizes state-of-the-art voice recognition technology and sophisticated software to provide drivers turn-by-turn directions, all by voice. Operation is easy; users simply state their current location and desired destination, and the AudioNav determines the fastest route and provides verbal turn-by-turn instructions.
    Route calculation is accomplished by retrieving mapping information from CD-ROM mapping software. Music disc player functions (play, stop, pause) can also be controlled by voice commands and used interchangeably while navigating.
    Pronounced Technologies is a developer and manufacturer of voice-interactive products and software. The company focuses on the development of vehicle information and communication systems that provide hands-free operation of navigation systems, mobile phones, audio systems and vehicle electronics, all by voice. The company's patented technology is revolutionizing the way information and knowledge is affordably transferred and processed in vehicles.
    Pronounced Technologies has entered into several agreements with major audio manufacturers to integrate the company's patented "smart chip" technology into audio systems. The company's goal is to standardize cost-effective voice-interactive navigation as an integral part of vehicle audio systems. Pronounced Technologies has headquarters in Reseda. For more information, visit www.pronounced.com.
    Staples has a complete selection of wireless technology and telephone services for the small-business customer, including cell phones, digital phones, PCS phones, pagers, cordless and multi-line phones, and local and long distance phone services. More than 200 wireless products and services are available from key suppliers in the industry.
    Staples Inc. is a $7 billion retailer of office supplies, furniture and technology to consumers and businesses from home-based businesses to Fortune 500 companies in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Germany. With headquarters outside Boston, Staples invented the office superstore concept and today is the largest operator of office superstores in the world.
    The company has more than 46,000 employees serving customers through more than 1,000 office superstores, mail-order catalogs, e-commerce and a contract business. More information about the company is available at www.staples.com.