Microsoft has announced the launch of ZenZui,
an independent company with the mission of transforming the way people
engage, consume and interact with Web content through a revolutionary
mobile user experience and information ecosystem.
ZenZuis Zooming
User Interface, a technology patented by Microsoft, was initially
developed by the Microsoft Research lab in Redmond. ZenZui has since
worked with Microsoft IP Ventures, which helps startups and growing
companies speed their time to market through access to Microsoft
innovations, to acquire the technology and for assistance in securing
venture capital funding to help launch the company.
ZenZuis core
technology, says Microsoft, brings advanced information visualisation
techniques out of the research lab and on to mobile phones and into the
hands of mobile device operators, marketers and consumers. ZenZuis
high-frame rate zooming user interface employs up to 36 individual
tiles that are selected and customized by users to reflect their
interests and lifestyle with relevant content, interactive
communications and fresh data. From the connected communities of social
networks and the immediacy of pop culture to the have-to-know sports
and weather info, this modular tile interface lets users sync, surf,
and share digital content quickly, easily and in a distinctly new way.
ZenZui
is a perfect example of how entrepreneurs are capturing the value of
licensed Microsoft intellectual property and generating valuable
business opportunities, says Danl Lewin, Corporate Vice President of
Strategic and Emerging Business Development at Microsoft. Our IP
Ventures program opens the door for businesses of all sizes to access
the work of world-class research teams, then use that access and
innovation to rapidly bring new products to market.
Companies
signed up for the initial trial include Kayak.com, OTOlabs, Avenue A |
Razorfish, and Traffic.com. Avenue A | Razorfish has brought three of
its clients to the alpha phase, and Bruce Woolsey, Vice President of
Advanced Media Solutions says:
ZenZuis platform is perhaps the
first mobile interface to truly leverage unique aspects of mobile
devices. And its all wrapped up in a gorgeous interface thats
completely intuitive to use. This kind of solution has been sorely
missing from the mobile marketing world. We look forward to continuing
to experiment with the technology and developing smart, effective ways
for our clients to leverage it.
You can see a demo of ZenZui in action here.