GestureTek Inc. and Telefonica Announce Strategic Partnership and Investment Agreement

    SUNNYVALE, Calif., Dec. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- GestureTek Inc. -- world
 leader and patent-holder in computer vision and gesture-recognition
 technology for presentation, information and entertainment systems -- today
 announced a strategic investment in the company by Telefonica S.A., Spain's
 leading telecommunications operator. The agreement finalizes a minority
 investment in GestureTek to finance business expansion and market growth.
 
     A technology partnership will allow for further development and
 commercialization of new gesture-controlled gaming and navigation
 applications. The two companies will jointly penetrate new markets for this
 trailblazing technology, both in the mobile sector and on other strategic
 platforms.
 
     The announcement comes just months after the successful launch in Japan
 of GestureTek's 'EyeMobile Engine' on the DoCoMo FOMA(TM) 904i and 905i
 series handsets, and DoCoMo Capital's concurrent investment in GestureTek.
 DoCoMo is Japan's largest wireless operator and is heralded as an early
 adopter of new mobile technologies.
 
     GestureTek is the inventor of EyeMobile(TM), the world's first
 gesture-controlled user-interface for mobile devices. This software-only
 solution provides camera phone users with the ability to play games, scroll
 menu items, navigate way-finding maps and browse web pages simply by
 tilting or moving their mobile phones.
 
     The EyeMobile software uses a mobile phone's existing camera to
 intelligently recognize and respond to hand and body movement -- providing
 a simpler, more intuitive and more entertaining interface than with
 conventional keys or with hardware-based solutions.
 
     Over 50 million mobile handsets currently have GestureTek's technology
 available to them. Enabled devices include those on the Microsoft Windows
 Mobile 6 platform, NTT DoCoMo 904i and 905i series handsets, and more than
 30 models from North American carriers operating on the BREW platform, such
 as Verizon, Alltel and Cellular South.
 
     Video gesture control technology, patented by GestureTek, has been
 licensed by Microsoft, Sony, Hasbro and various mobile game developers for
 their gaming products. Games powered by the EyeMobile Engine have also been
 showcased in pre-eminent awards programs. The technology was recognized at
 the BREW 2006 Game Developer Awards as the "Best Up and Coming
 Application", at the 2006 International Mobile Gaming Awards, and was the
 IGN Editors Choice Award for Best Mobile Game, Best Puzzle Game and Most
 Innovative Design. Most recently, GestureTek's EyeMobile Engine was
 selected as Best Mobile Entertainment Application at LAPTOP Magazine's 2007
 'Best of CTIA Wireless I.T. & Entertainment Awards'.
 
     Users of handsets enabled with GestureTek Mobile's Eyemobile Engine can
 now download over 60 gesture-controlled mobile games and other
 applications. These deliver the capability to scroll menu items, navigate
 maps with GPS integration, browse photos and scroll web pages on a full
 browser window -- simply by shaking, rocking or rolling their phone.
 
     "GestureTek's ongoing innovations in gesture-controlled games and
 applications, three-dimensional camera software and immersive technologies,
 along with growing support from mobile industry leaders such as Telefonica
 and DoCoMo, will revolutionize gaming as we know it, and bring the benefits
 of this state-of-the-art technology to many other exciting environments.
 Clearly, we're on the cusp of a paradigm shift in the mobile world, from
 button-presses to natural human interfaces," said Bill Leckonby, Chief
 Executive Officer, GestureTek Inc.
 
     GestureTek technology works on any device or surface. Whether a mobile
 phone, game console, PC or set-top box, if the device has a built-in
 camera, GestureTek's software can deliver groundbreaking "Wii-like"
 gesture-control. The company's innovative immersive technology even lets
 users transport themselves into a 3-D virtual world and interact with
 characters and objects, in real time and with no special gear or equipment.
 
     "We are excited about our collaboration with GestureTek in growing this
 new and exciting technology. As the leader in the field of
 gesture-recognition, GestureTek was our choice as a partner in bringing
 this technology to the mainstream for both mobile services and in the
 home," said Russ Shaw, Director of Innovation at Telefonica S.A.
 
     About GestureTek Inc.
 
     GestureTek is the pioneer, patent-holder and world leader in computer
 vision and gesture-recognition technologies for information, presentation
 and entertainment systems. The company's revolutionary video gesture
 control software lets users control interactive content, access
 information, manipulate special effects or immerse themselves in an
 interactive 3D virtual world -- simply by moving their hands or body in
 free space. In the past 20 years, GestureTek has delivered nearly 4000
 interactive displays, kiosks, exhibits, games and other interactive
 solutions for museums, science centers, location-based entertainment
 facilities, retail stores, real estate presentation centers, corporate
 boardrooms and showrooms, television networks and game developers. The
 technology is also used by healthcare organizations specializing in
 rehabilitation, sensory stimulation, activation and recreation. GestureTek
 Mobile is the business unit of GestureTek that is focused on bringing
 gesture-controlled games and applications to the mobile market.
 GestureTek's clients include CNN, NASA, BMW, Ford, Oracle, Intel, IBM,
 Federal Express, Autodesk, Panasonic and more. Software licensees include
 Microsoft, Sony and Hasbro. GestureTek is headquartered in Silicon Valley,
 with additional offices in Toronto, Ottawa, New York City and Asia.
 GestureTek was formerly known as JesterTek. For more information visit
 http://www.gesturetek.com or call (800) 315-1189.
 
 
 

SOURCE GestureTek