Source: Posting to comp.os.geosGEOWORKS TO DEVELOP NEW INTELLIGENT COMMUNICATION DEVICE FOR JAPANESE CELLULAR CARRIERS SUCH AS NTT DOCOMO WITH NEC
Alliance continues global expansion of Geoworks' presence
H&Q TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE, San Francisco (April 29, 1996)-- Continuing the drive to establish its GEOS(R) operating system software as a global standard for next-generation digital cellular "smart" phones, Geoworks (Nasdaq/National Market System Symbol: GWRX) today announced an alliance with NEC to jointly develop and deliver a family of smart phones specifically for the Japanese market. With NEC and its other cellular partners, Geoworks is now jointly developing smart phones that support the world's leading digital cellular standards: PDC (within Japan) and GSM (within 89 countries, primarily Europe).
NEC, the leading provider of digital cellular handsets in Japan, is licensing Geoworks' GEOS operating system platform as the foundation for future NEC smart phones scheduled for completion of development within the fiscal year ending March, 1997.
Geoworks also intends to collaborate with NTT DoCoMo, the leading cellular-service provider in Japan, to define how information services are delivered to Japanese consumers via smart phones. The companies plan to develop both targeted information services as well as innovative ways mobile users can access new information and services anytime, anywhere.
"The alliance between Geoworks and NEC marks a major step forward for both digital cellular communications and consumers within the Japanese market," said Gordon Mayer, president and CEO of Geoworks. "Partnering with the leading provider of digital handsets in the Japanese market further validates our vision that GEOS is becoming a global operating system standard for smart phones."
Smart phones are next-generation digital cellular telephones that integrate voice and data transmission capabilities, including voice mail, e-mail, facsimile, and Internet access, within one handheld device. The market for digital cellular telephones and services in Japan is expected to grow from $448.5 million in 1994 to more than $1.72 billion in 1999, according to Dataquest.
GEOS, a graphical operating system, requires limited hardware resources and provides advanced functionality. This enables hardware manufacturers to deliver products on an open platform for the addition of third-party software and PC connectivity. In addition, Geoworks' patented user interface technology provides the unique ability for partners to customize the features of their products for optimal ease-of-use and increased product differentiation. GEOS has been optimized for the smart phone category with its support for leading communications protocols and its ability to track and organize a variety of messages, including e-mail, fax, voice and paging.
About Geoworks
In addition to NEC, GEOS licensees include leading manufacturers such as: Nokia, Ericsson, Toshiba Corporation, Hewlett-Packard Company, Brother International Corp. and Canon Business Machines.
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's continued focus on efficiency and enhanced functionality is designed to enable the development of affordable, feature-rich devices for the mobile device market.
In keeping with U.S. law, Geoworks notes that its projections concerning the development and delivery of smart cellular phones and information services to the Japanese market, its intention to collaborate with NTT DoCoMo and its estimate of the timing, market size and penetration of such products and services, and the emergence of such products and services as standards are forward looking statements. Actual results may vary significantly, due to various risks and uncertainties, particularly including product demand and acceptance risks, the potential emergence and impact of competitive products and services, the scheduling risks inherent in the development of complex technologies, the need to conclude a definitive agreement with NTT DoCoMo and NEC, and the risk factors identified in the Company's Forms 10Q, 10K and other filings available from the Company or from the SEC.
For additional information on Geoworks and the GEOS operating system, contact Geoworks on the World Wide Web at http://www.geoworks.com/