MapQuest.com Works With Nuance to Develop Voice Web Ready Content

Business Wire, Feb 22, 2000

Business/Technology Editors

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 22, 2000

MapQuest.com (Nasdaq:MQST), a leader in online and wireless destination information solutions, today announced that it is working with Nuance, a leader in voice interface software, to build content for the emerging Voice Web. MapQuest's Voice Web Ready(TM) content will enable anyone to receive door-to-door driving directions, traffic updates in 43 cities, and conduct local searches for restaurants, hotels, banks and ATMs, gas stations and retailers -- using nothing more than a phone and the power of the human voice.

"We are very excited about extending MapQuest.com's utility to any consumer who has a telephone," said Mike Mulligan, chairman and CEO of MapQuest.com. "Using Nuance's voice interface software, we will provide consumers with the ability to receive directions, real-time traffic reports, and other travel tools anytime, anywhere."

MapQuest is one of a growing number of companies working with Nuance to build content and services for delivery via both the Internet and the telephone on the Voice Web. MapQuest uses Nuance's voice interface software, and SpeechObjects(TM), reusable speech components, to provide the door-to-door driving directions, Biz Finder and Real-Time Traffic reports. These SpeechObjects will be made available to voice portals and carriers to form the basis of value-added services marketed to consumers.

About the Voice Web

The convergence of the Internet and the telephone is now forming a vast new network -- a Voice Web -- where Internet content and commerce can be accessed from any phone, anywhere in the world using spoken commands. A number of voice portals, content providers, network carriers and e-businesses are helping to build the Voice Web. And Nuance's recently introduced Voice Web Portal Program and Voice Web Ready certification are designed to speed the development of Voice Web sites and content like the SpeechObjects from MapQuest.

"Just as it has supplied Internet content to the wireless technology market, MapQuest.com is leading the way for content providers seeking to build a presence on the Voice Web," said Steve Ehrlich, vice president of marketing for Nuance. "We're looking forward to working with MapQuest to chart the course for the Voice Web."

About MapQuest.com

MapQuest.com, Inc., is a leader in online, voice and wireless destination information solutions and digital mapping services. Implementing a diverse strategy for distribution, MapQuest.com provides mapping and directions to the end user anytime, anywhere. MapQuest.com licenses its technology to more than 1,100 business partners. Through these licensing agreements MapQuest.com helps businesses integrate maps and driving directions into their Internet, intranet, call centers, voice and wireless applications for improved marketing and customer service functions.

MapQuest.com's diverse network of business partners includes: AOL Digital City (NYSE: AOL), CitySearch (Nasdaq: TMCS), Yahoo (Nasdaq: YHOO), Lycos (Nasdaq: LCOS), InfoSpace (Nasdaq: INSP) Infoseek (Nasdaq: SEEK), Excite @Home (Nasdaq: ATHM), Travelocity (NYSE: TSG), Bank of America (NYSE: BAC), Blockbuster, and Dayton Hudson (NYSE: DH).

About Nuance

Nuance develops, markets and supports a voice interface software platform that makes the information and services of enterprises, telecommunications networks and the Internet accessible from any telephone. Every day, millions of people interact with Nuance systems at blue chip companies like American Airlines, Charles Schwab, The Home Shopping Network, Lloyds TSB, Sears and United Parcel Service. Nuance is also driving the creation of the Voice Web, and delivering software for V-Commerce(TM) (voice-enabled e-commerce) services and applications . Nuance is headquartered in Menlo Park, Calif. with global sales offices and partners supporting solutions in multiple languages around the world. To experience Nuance's state of the art technology, call 1-888-NUANCE-8 or visit www.nuance.com.

Voice Web Ready(TM) and SpeechObjects(TM) are trademarks of Nuance Communications.

This press release includes certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 concerning each company's business, operations and financial condition. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties and each company cautions you that any forward-looking information provided by or on behalf of such company is not a guarantee of future performance. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including (i) the volatile and competitive nature of the Internet industry, (ii) changes in domestic and foreign economic and market conditions, (iii) the effect of federal, state and foreign regulation on such company's business, (iv) the development of competitive Web sites and businesses; (v) MapQuest.com's relative mix of Internet and traditional and digital mapping businesses, (vi) MapQuest.com's ability to protect its intellectual property rights and (vii) the effect of any future acquisitions. Investors are also directed to consider the other risks and uncertainties discussed in MapQuest.com's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. All such forward-looking statements are current only as of the date on which such statements were made. MapQuest.com does not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which any such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.