Microsoft Research Mobile Spin-off ZenZui Launches With $12 Million

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 27, 2007 - 11:10am.

Redmond, Wash. - Microsoft announced on Monday the launch of ZenZui, a spin-off from its research unit that has developed a mobile browser that makes it easier to access communications and entertainment applications.

Seattle-based ZenZui has raised $12 million in its first round of financing, from Oak Investment Partners and Hunt Ventures.

The company's "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."

ZenZui has already signed on interactive marketing firms Razorfish and OTOlabs, as well as reservations service Kayak.com and traffic information provider Traffic.com to use its technology.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r12eUXJNbl8 (ZenZui demo)

http://tinyurl.com/2csd76 (Ars Technica)

http://www.zenzui.com