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Zandiant Technologies Provides New Wireless Solutions for Vehicle Applications

Detroit, Michigan - (March 4, 2002)

Zandiant Technologies, a Microsoft® Automotive Solutions Provider, today announced the availability of new wireless voice and data solutions that operate on the Windows® CE for Automotive software platform. Zandiant’s wireless solutions incorporate a wide range of technologies, including cellular voice calling, Short Message Service (SMS), FM broadcast messaging, Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD) network, Bluetooth and the IEEE 802.11b protocol. Drawing on years of experience as a developer of retail and OEM automotive electronics, Zandiant is uniquely qualified to provide both hardware and customized software applications to clients seeking the next generation in telematics solutions.

Various wireless solutions implemented by Zandiant have already been introduced into OEM products in North America and Europe. These include the factory-installed Citroën AutoPC, the world’s first OEM product running on Microsoft Windows CE for Automotive, an open platform that allows developers to quickly and reliably create powerful in-car computing solutions. Now available on two vehicle models in France and Germany, the Citroën AutoPC incorporates hands-free cellular voice calling, two-way SMS and broadcast messaging. Zandiant incorporated several new applications into the Citroën AutoPC, largely to enable wireless voice and data solutions to run on the Windows CE for Automotive software platform. Zandiant’s telematics applications linked directly to the vehicle network and included Emergency Call, Breakdown Call and Information Call features. Zandiant also created an application to enable traffic messages broadcast over the RDS-TMC network to be heard and displayed on the Citroën AutoPC. Zandiant made extensive use of speech recognition and text-to-speech software to enable safe hands-free operation of the Citroën AutoPC’s voice and data capabilities.

Microsoft is pleased that its relationship with Zandiant has produced an array of innovative new products,” said Gonzalo Bustillos, director of business development and marketing for the Automotive Business Unit at Microsoft. “Zandiant’s new voice and wireless technologies are a compelling value add for the embedded automotive market.”

For North America, Zandiant has developed the Clarion Joyride™ the world’s most sophisticated aftermarket multimedia and navigation system. The data communication capabilities of Joyride enable display of traffic incidents on a three-dimensional on-screen map. The incidents are color-coded to indicate varying levels of traffic slow-downs and to aid drivers in their route planning. Joyride’s text-to-speech software enables drivers to hear advanced warnings of traffic tie-ups on their planned routes. Traffic messages are provided by CUE Corporation over its North American FM broadcast network.

Additionally, Zandiant offers cellular solutions for Joyride, available to various automotive suppliers, OEM’s and vertical markets. Zandiant has enabled a wide-range of cellular solutions catering to specific customer requirements. Recent projects have provided hands-free functionality through Bluetooth-enabled cellular telephones, as well as through more traditional hands-free car kits.

Later this year, Zandiant will introduce a new in-vehicle multimedia device, which utilizes the IEEE 802.11b protocol to enable high-bandwidth wireless data transfer from a personal computer. Zandiant’s new device will enable users to wirelessly download compressed audio files for playback in the vehicle. In another recent initiative, Zandiant is now demonstrating a voice-enabled in-vehicle web browser running on the Microsoft Windows CE for Automotive software platform with a CDPD modem. Building on its experience and unique combination of software and hardware expertise, Zandiant is poised to deliver an array of Microsoft .NET™ wireless solutions.

Zandiant will be featuring data communication services at the Microsoft exhibit (Booth #5200) during the SAE Digital Car Conference in Detroit from March 4th – 7th.

About Zandiant Technologies, Inc.

Zandiant Technologies was spun-off from Clarion Co., Ltd. in February of 2001 under the leadership of Albert Wong, co-founder and former Chief Technical Officer of AST Research. Headquartered in Lake Forest, California, Zandiant specializes in the development of mobile entertainment, wireless and computing systems. As a leading systems and applications solutions provider, Zandiant excels in bringing digital and wireless technologies into the mobile environment. Products developed by Zandiant include Clarion’s Joyride, the first automotive computer to provide DVD video with Dolby® 5.1 Channel Surround Sound and DTS® Digital Surround. Zandiant is also incorporating its digital audio expertise into new car amplifiers with programmable audio processing. Zandiant offers Engineering and Software Development Services to automakers, mobile electronics manufacturers, fleet operators, systems integrators and wireless service providers. For more information, contact info@zandiant.com.

About Windows CE for Automotive

The Automotive Business Unit at Microsoft has invested half a decade to provide the automotive industry with great software that delivers information, entertainment, communication and services in vehicles. The company works very closely with automakers, automotive electronics manufacturers and consumers to develop its telematics software platform. Microsoft Windows CE for Automotive is a platform built on Windows CE, a robust, real-time embedded operating system, which enables new categories of in-car computers designed to safely provide drivers and passengers with hands-free communication, access to personalized information on the Internet, and an array of convenience and entertainment applications. Windows CE for Automotive is an open platform that allows developers to quickly create powerful in-car computing solutions. It offers flexibility and choice of computing platforms, hardware peripherals and software components, as well as a large community of experienced developers for Windows CE.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people trough great software – any time, any place and on any device.

© 2002 Zandiant Technologies.

Microsoft®, Windows® and .NET™ are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

Joyride™ is a trademark of Clarion Corporation of America.
Dolby® is a registered trademark of Dolby Laboratories.
DTS® is a registered trademark of Digital Theater Systems.