Source: CompuServeGEOWORKS ALLIES WITH INFOSPACE AND WEATHERLABS TO PROVIDE SMART PHONES WITH INTERACTIVE BOOST
Partnerships continue to expand the value-added services soon available to smart phone customers
ALAMEDA, Calif. (September 16, 1996) - Geoworks (Nasdaq/National Market System Symbol: GWRX) developer of GEOS(R) operating system software, today announced another step toward delivering end-to-end solutions to customers of GEOS-based smart phones by partnering with InfoSpace, Inc. and WeatherLabs, Inc. Enabling the delivery of directory and weather information to GEOS-based smart phones highlights Geoworks' ongoing commitment to fully enable the mobile smart phone user.
InfoSpace intends to provide corporate directory services to users of GEOS-based smart phones, while WeatherLabs intends to deliver a broad range of weather-related information. Both providers plan to supply interactive content, allowing smart phone users to personalize content relevant to them. "Geoworks will continue to help drive the smart phone market by adding content providers like InfoSpace and WeatherLabs," said Jonathan Kaplan, vice president and publisher of Geoworks' Wireless Content and Services division. "We are firmly committed to providing mobile smart phone users with targeted access to valuable information--anytime, anywhere."
The mobile requirements of smart phones dictate specially formatted content and services. Geoworks is leading the charge to develop partnerships with providers to ensure users of GEOS-based smart phones have access to the widest range of content and services in this market.
"As InfoSpace provides the most comprehensive directory services on the Internet, our partnership with Geoworks will significantly expand the valuable information available to smart phone customers," said Naveen Jain, president of InfoSpace. "InfoSpace services will help users of GEOS-based smart phones find information they need from almost anywhere in the world."
InfoSpace directories offer instant access to more than 112 million U.S., Canadian, and U.K. listings of individuals, government offices and businesses, including fax and toll-free numbers. InfoSpace Directory Services also include AccuMail, the most accurate e-mail directory in the world, InfoSpace Atlas, which allows users to plot any address in the United States on a map, and InfoSpace Neighborhood Search, which helps users find people or businesses near their homes, businesses or other addresses. The family of InfoSpace products also includes: InfoSpace White Pages; InfoSpace Yellow Pages; InfoSpace Blue Pages; InfoSpace Toll Free; and InfoSpace Fax.
"WeatherLabs is eager to join Geoworks' efforts to provide relevant content for smart phone users," said Brendan Lane Larson, president of WeatherLabs. "For mobile professionals on the go, access to worldwide weather conditions, weather forecasts and details on potential airport delays can be critical."
WeatherLabs offers the most complete and comprehensive weather data available on the Internet today. Forecasts and current conditions are available for more than 1,700 cities worldwide. WeatherLabs' next-day forecasts offer detailed breakdowns of morning, afternoon, evening, and overnight conditions. Additionally, WeatherLabs will provide GEOS-based smart phone users with a four-day forecast for 10 to 15 cities around the world.
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. Available within Europe since August, smart phones are targeted for broad availability within Asia and the U.S. in 1997.
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. Geoworks is also working with content and services providers such as HotWired, Newsbytes, WeatherLabs and InfoSpace to deliver compelling content and services to users of GEOS-based smart phones.
In keeping with U.S. law, Geoworks notes that the statements concerning the planned worldwide availability of wireless content and services to smart phone users are forward-looking statements. Actual results may vary, due to the timing and development risks inherent in the development of new technologies, and due to the need for complementary technologies and partnerships to develop. Additional information may be found in the Company's 10-K, 10-Q and other filings with 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.