WhiteSmoke of Tel Aviv, which provides interactive text enrichment software, is to collaborate with ICQ to improve the language of users of ICQ's instant messaging service.
WhiteSmoke’s software, providing spelling and grammar correction, context-related synonym replacements, and adjective additions, is planned to be integrated into various ICQ services, including chat rooms and forums on the ICQ website. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
The language support service will be available free of charge for ICQ users and is expected to appear as an additional icon on the respective ICQ service. Additional integration with ICQ’s instant messenger service is expected later in 2007.
WhiteSmoke’s technology provides a proof-check of written English texts, enabling the user not just to correct any mistakes, but also enrich sentences. ICQ is among the first messaging services to provide text enrichment support for people simply chatting in web forums or looking for a potential date online.
WhiteSmoke founder and CEO Hilla Brenner said, “We are thrilled to partner with such a hugely popular messaging service, enabling our technology to help millions of people express themselves more effectively in English."
WhiteSmoke recently announced a deal with leading Israeli ISP provider, Walla, and says it is in discussions with other leading messaging providers to integrate its software onto their programs.
The company's technology simulates the human thought process by reading, classifying, and storing millions of carefully selected texts, and providing the user with precise context related choices in either a commercial, legal, or medical writing style.
WhiteSmoke was founded in 2002. It is funded in part by Israeli angel investors Shlomo Touboul, founder of network security company Finjan, and ICQ co-founder Yair Goldfinger.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on October 19, 2006
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