Ginger Software is an Israeli start-up company that has developed language enhancement technology that uses statistical algorithms in conjunction with natural language processing, aiming to improve written communications, develop English speaking skills and boost smartphone productivity. The company was founded towards the end of 2007 by Yael Karov and Avner Zangvil. Ginger Software differentiates itself by recognizing words in the context of complete sentences. In December 2011, Ginger Software was one of nine projects approved by the Board of Governors of the Israel-U.S. Binational Industrial Research and Development Foundation for a funding of $8.1 million. The company also raised $3 million from private Israeli and US investors in 2009. In May, 2014 Intel acquired one of Ginger's business units and the rights to use the company's patented technology.
Founders
Before founding Ginger Software, Yael Karov had worked with Rosetta Genomics as its Chief Technology Officer and Vice President of Research and Development from 2003 to 2006, and with ClickSoftware Technologies as a Director of Research and Development from 1990 to 1994. Karov also founded Agentics, a company specializing in free-text classification of e-commerce product information based on natural language processing, in 1996. Avner Zangvil is the co-founder of Ginger Software and the husband of Yael Karov. Zangvil co-founded Menta Software in 1996 with his brother Arnon Zangvil to develop a product that transforms any Windows-based application into a Web-enabled application usable from any remote computer running a Web browser. Menta was acquired by GraphOn Corporation in 2001.
Technology
Ginger Software uses patented software algorithms that deal with natural language processing. The company claims that the algorithm allows it to correct the written sentences with relatively high accuracy, compared to standard spell checkers. Its unique algorithm allows the software to understand the context of the sentence rather than correcting based solely on a word. According to its founder, Karov, the software operates on the logic of sentence context in addition to the memory of a database of words. The company is at the heart of a growing revolution in the world of assistive technology. Ginger claims that the benefits of the software have been leveraged by native English and non-native speakers alike, and have also found value in niche markets like dyslexia management. They further claim that ESL users derive great benefit from the use of the software, as it lets them write error-free English text. Its use also extends to native English speaking business professionals and students who use it as a 'safety net' for their email edits, as well as international students writing in English. More recently, the company has focused on implementing its technology in mobile devices as an integral component of its mobile keyboard products.
Products
Ginger Software products include , a cross-platform writing enhancement app, and Ginger Keyboard which is available for devices. Ginger Page operates as an online service and supports MS-Word, MS-Outlook, MS-PowerPoint, Internet Explorer, Chrome and Firefox, and functions as a writing enhancement app for Android and iOS mobile devices. Its main feature is the grammar and spelling checker that runs seamlessly with the different user interfaces. It also has an advanced paraphrasing tool, contextual synonyms and definitions, multi-language translation and a text-to-speech function that enables users to hear sentences before and after correction. Ginger Keyboard for Android replaces the stock keyboard and functions as a productivity boosting keyboard app. Featuring a full set of advanced keyboard features like Stream typing, adaptive word prediction, a wide variety of customizable themes and emoji, Ginger Keyboard is the only 3rd party keyboard to offer proofreading and other writing tools via one tap access to Ginger Page.
Target segment
Ginger Software started off with people with dyslexia as its primary target segment. The mathematical algorithm underlying the software studies a vast pool of proper sentences in English and builds a model of proper language. The software does not analyze the text at the level of the word, but of the whole sentence. Dyslectics can have trouble choosing the right word – hence the attention to the sentence as a whole. From 2010, Ginger Software included a new target segment in its marketing outreach – users of English as a second language. Its contextual-based writing correction tool could benefit those who are not proficient at the English language. With the launch of Ginger Page and Ginger Keyboard, Ginger expanded its target audience to include anyone who writes in English, be they native or ESL.
Business model
Originally the company’s business model was a free 2-day trial followed by an option to purchase the user license after the trial expired. On 15 January 2012, the company changed its business model by releasing its freemium version. The freemium version consists of the contextual-based grammar and spelling checker which users could download and keep for free. The premium version was also available for purchase. Its features include and a progress report analysis tool, along with unlimited access to Grammar Checker, the grammar and spelling checker, and the rephrasing tool. Ginger Keyboard is completely free to download and use, although it does offer in-app purchases like themes and theme packs. It also will disable your original spell checker.
