Source: Geoworks Home PageGEOWORKS TO CREATE CUSTOMIZED PUBLISHING SOLUTIONS FOR GLOBAL SMART PHONE MARKET
Specialized products and services will provide end-to-end solutions for users of GEOS-based smart phones
ALAMEDA, Calif. (July 22, 1996)--Geoworks (Nasdaq/National Market System Symbol: GWRX), developer of GEOS(R) operating system software, today announced its plan to package and deliver targeted content and services to customers of GEOS-based smart phones. This announcement represents the next step in Geoworks' strategy for delivering end-to-end solutions for the emerging smart phone market.
Together with its hardware and cellular network partners, Geoworks plans to provide smart phone users with anytime, anywhere access to content and service offerings, such as travel information, financial data, news, entertainment, electronic commerce and directory services. Customers will also be able to access networked applications, such as e-mail, message notification, network data storage, group scheduling and carrier services.
"We expect customers of GEOS-based smart phones to utilize the advanced capabilities of digital networks to access a broad range of information while on the road," said Jonathan Kaplan, vice president/publisher, Wireless Content and Services division at Geoworks. "With smart phones built on the GEOS platform, for example, individuals will be able to send and receive faxes, customize the delivery of stock and financial information, and receive up-to-the minute weather and travel information... all through an easy-to-use graphical interface."
"The smart phone market is poised for rapid worldwide growth," said Clint McClellan, wireless analyst for Dataquest. "Enabling mobile consumers to easily access the Internet's wealth of information and services will undoubtedly be a key contributing factor."
Smart phones are next-generation, digital-cellular telephones that integrate voice and data transmission capabilities--including voice mail, e-mail, facsimile, and Internet access to content and services--within one handheld device.
Geoworks... Uniquely Qualified
"Through partnerships with key players in the smart phone market_including phone manufacturers, cellular operators, content and service providers, and Internet standards organizations--Geoworks will be extremely well-positioned to create valuable information solutions for consumers of GEOS-based smart phones," said Grover Righter, Geoworks' vice president of marketing.
To help develop and support the company's new initiative, Geoworks has formed a separate Wireless Content and Services division, appointing Jonathan Kaplan, vice president/publisher as the division's head. Kaplan will be responsible for leading the development of technology for packaged wireless content, published electronic information services to smart phone customers, distinct regional services, and partnerships with content and service providers as well as cellular operators. (See accompanying release today from Geoworks for further details.)
Geoworks' content and service offerings for smart phones will initially be available this Fall, 1996 to European customers of the GEOS-based Nokia 9000 smart phone. Geoworks' services are being planned for broad availability throughout Europe, Japan and the U.S. on GSM, PDC, PHS and PCS digital-cellular networks.
About Geoworks
Based in Alameda, California, Geoworks develops and markets the GEOS operating system and application software for the emerging Consumer Computing Devices (CCD) market. The company is focused on enabling the development of smart phones and electronic organizers, and has licensed GEOS to leading manufacturers such as Nokia, Ericsson, NEC, Toshiba Corporation, Hewlett-Packard Company, Brother International Corp. and Canon Business Machines.
In keeping with U.S. law, Geoworks notes that this press release includes forward-looking statements, including the Company's intention to package and deliver targeted content and services, the emergence of the smart phone market and forecasts by third parties concerning the potential for market growth, the establishment of key partnerships, and the timing and availability of content and service offerings worldwide. Actual results may vary significantly due to various risks and uncertainties. Those include, but are not limited to, the following: i) the smart phone market may not emerge to the degree or in the timing anticipated; ii) the Company must consummate definitive agreements with key partners; iii) delivery of content and services to cellular phones is dependent upon the development of complementary technologies and alliances beyond the Company's control; and iv) new technologies and new services are inherently subject to development, timing and consumer acceptance risks. Additional information is available in the Risk Factors and Business discussions in the Company's Forms 10-K, 10-Q and other filings available from the Company or from the Securities and Exchange Commission. For additional information on Geoworks and the GEOS operating system, contact Geoworks on the World Wide Web at http://www.geoworks.com.