BURLINGTON, Mass., July 18, 2006 – Nuance Communications (Nasdaq: NUAN), a leading provider of speech and imaging solutions, today introduced Dragon™ NaturallySpeaking® version 9, a new release of the world’s best selling speech recognition solution for Microsoft Windows. The new version promises to transform the way people use their PCs, moving accuracy levels up to 99% and becoming the first desktop speech recognition software that truly eliminates the need to train the software to a user’s voice.

“For more than a decade, industry leaders have forecast the day that speech recognition would become as valuable as the keyboard and mouse in using the PC, even becoming a primary way for creating documents and controlling applications,” said Paul Ricci, chairman and CEO of Nuance Communications, Inc. “To a great extent, version eight of Dragon NaturallySpeaking finally delivered the accuracy levels needed to move speech recognition into the mainstream. Today, with the new release, we have overcome the final obstacles to adoption and made speech as seamless as the keyboard and mouse, creating a superior, more productive experience that will introduce new generations of users to speech recognition.”

Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 allows people to perform nearly any computing task by speaking with their PC. This innovative software supports almost all Windows applications and instantly turns the natural voice into text or commands at speeds up to 160 words per minute with accuracy levels that can reach 99 percent – which is faster and more precise than typing. Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 delivers significant improvements for existing users, as well as new features designed to expand the use of speech recognition beyond the millions of professionals, enthusiasts and people with disabilities who already use the software.

Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 delivers on what matters most in recognition products, providing accuracy levels that are unrivaled in desktop speech recognition, 20 percent higher than the previous release. Dragon NaturallySpeaking users gain the added benefit of avoiding spelling errors and typing mistakes, making speech a more natural and satisfying experience.

The new release also removes one of the most significant issues that has caused many people to resist even trying speech recognition – “training” or “enrollment.” In historical implementations of speech recognition, users were faced with the time-consuming requirement of reading specific scripts, allowing the speech recognition to “learn” the voice of the user. Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 is the first-ever desktop speech recognition product to eliminate training while still delivering highly accurate results.

Dragon NaturallySpeaking also improves its accuracy as it is used, learning and honing its precision with every dictated word. By removing the need to specifically train the product users can start realizing the benefits of Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 more quickly than ever before. Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 includes a full library of re-designed on-screen tutorials that significantly reduce the time it takes to become an every-day user of the software. Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 also includes support for Bluetooth® headsets and microphones, as well as Tablet PCs and a number of new mobile devices, giving people the freedom to dictate wirelessly or on-the-go with a PDA or digital recorder.

A Breakthrough in Speech Recognition for Microsoft Windows

Dragon NaturallySpeaking makes speech recognition available for every user, from the novice to the PC expert. The Dragon NaturallySpeaking family includes different versions specifically designed for varying levels of PC user: Dragon NaturallySpeaking Professional for busy corporate professionals or organizations; Dragon NaturallySpeaking Preferred for the PC enthusiast or home office worker; and Dragon NaturallySpeaking Standard for the casual home PC user.

To help users achieve an increased level of productivity and unparalleled levels of accuracy, Nuance has added a number of key capabilities to Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9:

Key Benefits

Most Accurate Ever – Significant improvements to the Dragon NaturallySpeaking recognition system have yielded an accuracy improvement of more than 20 percent over the previous release, and nearly 40 percent over version 7 – resulting in speech recognition accuracy levels as high as 99 percent.
First to Eliminate Training – Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 is the first desktop speech recognition solution to truly remove the time need to “train” the software – and still deliver accurate results.
Speech Seamlessly Integrated – Simply install Dragon NaturallySpeaking and you have added speech input and control to virtually all of your Microsoft Windows applications. The new release includes specific integration with Microsoft® Office, Outlook® and Internet Explorer®, as well as Corel® WordPerfect™ and Mozilla™ Firefox® and Thunderbird™.
New-found Mobility, Portability – New support for Nuance-approved Bluetooth headsets gives users the freedom to dictate wirelessly, without being tethered to a PC. In addition, users can capture dictation with mobile devices such as digital recorders, Palm® Tungsten™ and Pocket PCs for automatic transcription by Dragon NaturallySpeaking when synched with the PC.
Enterprise Features – Dragon NaturallySpeaking Professional 9 can be accessed from anywhere on a network, even thin client Citrix® terminals. Improved network tools allow administrators to easily manage Dragon NaturallySpeaking deployments over a network to multiple clients.
“Dragon NaturallySpeaking's accuracy is exceptional,” said Alexandria Carstens, consultant and trainer at Speakeasy Solutions, Inc. “This new release is a productivity tool that no person who uses a computer should be without. Dragon NaturallySpeaking can easily double or triple my output, dramatically reducing the time it takes me to perform many tasks.”

Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 is also Section 508 certified to allow hands-free use of the PC for those with disabilities and to assist people with carpal tunnel syndrome or other repetitive stress injuries. Dragon NaturallySpeaking has been shown to reduce temporary labor costs and insurance premiums by reducing repetitive stress injuries and worker compensation claims. The enterprise features in this new release will make deploying Dragon NaturallySpeaking to multiple users in a corporate environment even easier and more cost-effective.

The latest release of Dragon NaturallySpeaking comes from the world’s expert in speech recognition – Nuance. Nuance speech technology touches millions of people every day as they interact with their bank or airline reservation system by voice, dial by voice from their cell phone, or interact with their car’s navigation system.

Availability

Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 Standard, Preferred and Professional are available immediately through Nuance’s global network of reseller partners, software retailers and professional sales organizations. Dragon NaturallySpeaking Medical and Legal solutions, as well as the Dragon NaturallySpeaking SDK, are available through Nuance’s value added partners worldwide. For additional information on features, pricing and volume licensing programs, please visit Nuance.com/NaturallySpeaking or call (1) 800-443-7077.

Nuance Communications, Inc.

Nuance (Nasdaq: NUAN) is the leading provider of speech and imaging solutions for businesses and consumers around the world. Its technologies, applications and services make the user experience more compelling by transforming the way people interact with information and how they create, share and use documents. Every day, millions of users and thousands of businesses experience Nuance's proven applications and professional services. For more information, please visit www.nuance.com.

Nuance, the Nuance logo, Dragon and NaturallySpeaking are trademarks or registered trademarks of Nuance Communications, Inc. or its affiliates in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners.

The statements in this press release that relate to future plans, events or performance are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including risks associated with market trends, competitive factors, and other risks identified in Nuance’s SEC filings. Actual results, events and performance may differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date hereof.

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