Texas Instruments' technologies and GetFugu mobile applications will change how consumers interact with mobile devices

DALLAS, March 11 /PRNewswire/ -- With investments from Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) (NYSE: TXN) and GetFugu, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: GFGU), the MobileLab research group at the University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas) stands at the forefront of enabling next-generation human device interactions (HDI) technologies that merge a physical, real-world environment with virtual, computer-generated imagery on mobile devices. Each holding unique technologies that significantly advance HDI applications, TI and GetFugu are committed to helping UT Dallas researchers bring immersive applications to the end users around the world, providing quick access to information, always-on connections and revolutionary multimedia experiences.

As TI initially demonstrated at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2010 in February, HDI technologies will soon change how consumers interact with and rely on mobile devices. TI's OMAP™ processors echo the ideal balance of processing power, low power requirements and flexibility needed to address the computational complexity of HDI technologies. The company's WiLink™ connectivity solution combines mobile WLAN, Bluetooth® and FM technologies to enable always-on, robust connections.  These proven technologies set the foundation for complex, sophisticated mobile user experiences.

While HDI is just starting to emerge in commercial applications, GetFugu has been in this space for more than two years.  GetFugu's mobile applications, "See It," "Say It," "Find It," and "Get It," will soon set the standard for mobile-based HDI applications. By integrating mobile phones' core strengths into a single search tool, GetFugu applications provide user-friendly access via mobile devices to Web content and e-commerce solutions previously available only on computers.

Applications like those offered by GetFugu and TI will transform the way consumers connect with informative and actionable data. For example, object recognition technology allows a user to snap a picture of a company logo with a camera-enabled smartphone and instantly receive company-specific information via the smartphone's Internet connection – all because the smartphone identified the logo and searched for relevant information. Imagine seeing an ad for your favorite rock band, taking a picture with your mobile phone and obtaining the latest tour dates, links to purchase tickets and discounts on new merchandise. With HDI technologies and research from organizations like GetFugu, TI and UT Dallas, this mobile future is becoming a reality today.

Today, researchers from UT Dallas' MobileLab are testing and running these concepts on the Zoom™ OMAP34x-II Mobile Development Platform (MDP). The MDP's high-performance, low- power qualities allow for:

• Easier acquisition of content
• Improved search experience
• Enhanced voice and visual recognition capabilities

"TI is excited about the promise of HDI and how it will change the way we interact with our mobile devices," said Leo Estevez, technology strategist for TI's wireless business unit.  "Our applications processors and connectivity solutions provide the powerful technology mix that sets a foundation for these applications, and offers quicker access, improved user experiences and out-of-this-world advancements. As we demonstrated during MWC in February, we truly are at the cusp of a mobile revolution."

"Our applications are designed to utilize vision and voice recognition, bypassing the mobile device's cumbersome keyboard to connect with the content they want quickly and conveniently," stated Rich Jenkins, GetFugu's co-founder and business development executive. "The technology, while spectacular, remains a function of the search and is almost invisible to the consumer. We expect this to proliferate among mobile users and, when combined with powerful engines from TI, bring new levels of interactivity to mobile devices."

Dean Terry, director of MobileLab added, "Our researchers are excited to collaborate with TI and GetFugu not only on the compelling technology of emerging HDI, but also on the new kinds user experiences it introduces."

About Texas Instruments

Texas Instruments (NYSE: TXN) helps customers solve problems and develop new electronics that make the world smarter, healthier, safer, greener and more fun.  A global semiconductor company, TI innovates through design, sales and manufacturing operations in more than 30 countries.  For more information, go to www.ti.com.

About GetFugu

GetFugu, Inc.: (OTCBB:GFGU), based in Los Angeles, California, is the next generation mobile search tool and e-commerce application. Mobile phones with GetFugu installed provide consumers and marketers with a completely new experience offering the simplest and most convenient means to retrieve information. Designed to play up the mobile phone's key strengths, GetFugu integrates the mobile phones' core functions (image, voice, and location recognition) into a single customizable application. Additionally, GetFugu offers the only mobile hot-spotting e-commerce platform available worldwide today. The GetFugu platform will be available for 97% of the mobile phones available (over 3.3 billion handsets) worldwide. For more information, visit GetFugu.com.

About MobileLab and UT Dallas

Located at the convergence of Richardson, Plano and Dallas in the heart of the complex of major multinational technology corporations known as the Telecom Corridor, The University of Texas at Dallas enrolls more than 15,000 students. The school's freshman class traditionally stands at the forefront of Texas state universities in terms of average SAT scores. The University offers a broad assortment of bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs.  For additional information about UT Dallas, please visit www.utdallas.edu.

The UT Dallas MobileLab is a nationally recognized collaborative research group with a strong focus on user experience and forward-looking idea generation for the mobile space. MobileLab hosts an environment for creative experimentation and open dialogue among university researchers, industry partners and students, benefiting the entire mobile technology community, enriching it with new ideas and bold approaches to the next-generation mobile experience. MobileLab is a research group in the University's Emerging Media and Communication program. Details at emac.utdallas.edu/research.

Trademarks

OMAP and WiLink are registered trademarks of Texas Instruments Inc. All other registered trademarks and trademarks belong to their respective owners.

SOURCE Texas Instruments Incorporated