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instant Messaging Buddies Use AT&T Natural Voices Speech Engine
Licensing Agreement Gives Speech to Toys With a Message
LOS ANGELES, Jul 29, 2002 - United Leisure Corporation (OTC Bulletin Board: UTDL) announced
today that its wholly owned subsidiary, United Internet Technologies ("UIT"), entered into a licensing agreement with AT&T Corp. (NYSE: T) to
use AT&T's Natural Voices(TM) Text-to-Speech (TTS) Engine in UIT's new line of plush, robotic toys that work with personal computers and
"Instant Messaging" (IM) software.
"After researching the market for the best text-to-speech technologies, we were most impressed by the AT&T product," said UIT's Chief
Executive Officer Brian Shuster. "The AT&T voices were by far the most realistic that we have heard to date."
These smart toys can be placed near a PC and will speak written text from instant messages using wireless transfer links.
"We are delighted that United Internet Technologies has selected AT&T's Natural Voices speech engine to provide a high-quality and
natural-sounding interface for their Instant Messaging Buddies," said Lex McCusker, general manager of AT&T's Natural Voices software. "The
robust features of AT&T's speech engine will easily integrate into UIT's platform to provide added value and enhance its product features."
United Internet Technologies has developed a technology called I-C-IT (Intelligent Control Interactive Technology)-a hardware and software
platform for networking devices via the Internet and other networked environments. The implications of I-C-IT stretch beyond smart toys to include
gaming applications, medical devices, and networked appliances.
"We believe that UIT can generate significant revenue from initial sales then again from subsequent software downloads," said Shuster. "UIT's
embedded technology provides added value to portals and online communication venues creating a tremendous opportunity to generate revenue
from sales of ancillary products including new languages, new phrases, games, educational software and more."
With AT&T's Natural Voices TTS Engine, companies are creating new revenue-generating applications and services by enhancing existing
applications through custom voice services; improving customer relationships by integrating pleasant-sounding voices on customer-facing
applications; providing anywhere/anytime mobility; personalizing regional dialects and accents, and lowering customer call center expenses by using
text-to-speech dialog.
From the first synthesized speech system in 1939 to today, AT&T has long been the world's speech technology pioneer, creating the highest quality
and most robust speech systems available anywhere. Headquartered in Florham Park, NJ, the product team leverages the talents and expertise of
AT&T Labs, one of the world's premier corporate research organizations. AT&T holds more than 150 patents in speech technologies.
AT&T Natural Voices TTS Engine is considered to be one of the most human-sounding computer-speech systems in the world. The product
consists of a text-to-speech "engine" that turns written words into natural-sounding speech, a library of male and female voices in different
languages, and the ability to custom develop a voice that becomes the unique property of the customer. New languages are scheduled for
introduction approximately every three months and product enhancements are added on a regular basis. Since its introduction, AT&T Natural
Voices products are quickly becoming an accepted standard by which all other TTS engines are measured.
More information about AT&T Natural Voices TTS products can be found at http://www.naturalvoices.att.com. The Server-Lite and Desktop
editions of the TTS engine, and all voice fonts should be ordered online at http://www.naturalvoices.att.com/buy/ The Server and WAV File
edition engines and custom voice icons must be ordered by phone by calling AT&T Natural Voices' Help Desk at +1(877) 741-4321 (toll free for
U.S. callers), and asking for "sales," or by calling +1(973) 360-8513.
About UIT
United Leisure Corporation, through its wholly owned subsidiary United Internet Technologies (UIT), is engaged in the business of developing and
marketing technologies that allow a wide range of electronic devices, such as toys, medical devices, networked appliances and consumer
electronics, to communicate and be controlled over the Internet and over other digital systems, such as cable, television and wireless networks. The
company has developed several proprietary technologies including, Intelligent Control Interactive Technology (I-C-IT (TM)). These technologies
enable businesses to transition their traditional product lines into the interactive world. United Leisure's goal is to create solutions for specific
business sectors by customizing the I-C-IT platform, allowing it to be embedded in a wide range of electronic products. These intelligent, network
controlled "smart devices" allow businesses and content producers to form a direct link between consumers, adding a dynamic aspect to the
consumer relationship and creating the potential for incremental subscriptions, e-commerce, upgrade and advertising revenue. I-C-IT is marketed
under the slogan "the smart in smart devices"(TM).
United Leisure 'Safe Harbor'
This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding the
company's business strategy and future plans of operations. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, both
general and specific to the matters discussed in this news release. These and other important factors, including those mentioned in various Securities
and Exchange Commission filings made periodically by the company, may cause the company's actual results and performance to differ materially
from the future results and performance expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in
this news release speak only as of the date hereof and the company expressly disclaims any obligation to provide public updates, revisions or
amendments to any forward-looking statements made herein to reflect changes in the company's expectations or future events.
About AT&T
AT&T ( http://www.att.com) is among the world's premier voice, video and data communications companies, serving consumers, businesses and
government. Backed by the research and development capabilities of AT&T Labs, the company runs the largest, most sophisticated
communications network and is the largest cable operator in the U.S. The company is a leading supplier of data, Internet and managed services for
the public and private sectors, and offers outsourcing, consulting and networking-integration to large businesses and government. Serving nearly 60
million consumers, AT&T is a market leader in consumer communications services and operates AT&T WorldNet(R) Service, a leading Internet
access service that has garnered several awards for outstanding performance and customer service.
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