Source: Geoworks Home PageGEOWORKS, NOKIA AND INTEL INTRODUCE NEXT-GENERATION DEVICE FOR ADVANCED MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS
GEOS-based Nokia 9000 Communicator sets new standard for digital cellular phones, seamlessly integrating voice and data
Hannover, Germany, CeBIT (March 13, 1996) -- Demonstrating proof of a shared vision for an entirely new class of digital cellular telephones, Geoworks (Nasdaq/National Market System Symbol: GWRX) today announced that its graphical, communications-centric GEOS operating system is at the core of the new Nokia 9000 Communicator. Resulting from a collaboration among Geoworks, Nokia and Intel, the Nokia 9000 Communicator is the first in a family of innovative "communicator" devices to be offered from industry leader Nokia.
By providing extensive communications capabilities and a flexible, easy-to-use interface, the GEOS 3.0 operating system enabled Nokia to offer users a comprehen-sive mobile communications solution.
"The flexibility of the GEOS operating system platform let us customize the interface of the Nokia 9000 Communicator so users can access its broad capabilities in the most intuitive way," said Reijo Paajanen, vice president, Wireless Data, Nokia Mobile Phones. "And, since GEOS provides an open development environment, customers will be able to add innovative new functionality as it's available from service providers, software developers and Nokia. With Geoworks as our partner in pioneering the `communicator' device category, the Nokia 9000 Communicator sets an entirely new standard for the future of digital cellular phones."
Leveraging the inherent communications capabilities of GEOS 3.0, the Nokia 9000 Communicator allows users to wirelessly send and receive telephone calls, faxes, short messages (pages) and electronic mail as well as access to Internet and corporate-network information_all with the push of a button. The "universal mailbox" within GEOS 3.0 elegantly tracks the range of messages handled by the Nokia 9000 Communicator and directs them to their intended location.
In addition, the flexible user interface of the GEOS operating system platform enabled Nokia to create an attractive and intuitive interface designed specifically for the Nokia 9000 Communicator and its intended customers. The interface also provides a consistent look and feel between the device's communications capabilities and its built-in applications, such as its personal information manager (PIM).
"The Nokia 9000 Communicator represents a major milestone for both Geoworks and Nokia, and establishes the GEOS operating system as an emerging worldwide standard for this new category of mobile communications devices," said Gordon Mayer, president and CEO of Geoworks. "Our collaboration enabled us to deliver on our shared vision of a highly integrated, easy-to-use digital cellular phone that lets you talk, fax, even access the Internet."
"Intel Architecture processors and SmartVoltage flash memory combine extremely well with the compact GEOS operating system to enable a robust digital communications platform for Nokia," said Tom Franz, general manager of Intel's Advanced Personal Communications Division. "The Nokia 9000 Communicator exemplifies the benefits of converging the PC with digital communications. Intel is committed to providing a variety of leading-edge technologies to support this vision."
Today's announcement follows one made by Geoworks and Nokia in February, 1995 which announced Nokia's $7.5 million equity investment in Geoworks. Nokia also holds a seat on Geoworks' board of directors.
About Geoworks
Geoworks develops and markets the GEOS operating system and application software for consumer computing products such as digital cellular phones, sophisticated electronic organizers and Internet access devices. GEOS is a compact, object-oriented operating system offering a patented, flexible user interface that allows hardware manufacturers to develop customized user interfaces that best meet the needs of their customers. GEOS licensees include Nokia, Toshiba Corporation, Hewlett-Packard Company, Ericsson, Brother International Corp. and Canon Business Machines.
For additional information contact Geoworks at 1-510- 814-1660
About Nokia
Nokia Mobile Phones is Europe's largest and the world's second largest manufacturer of mobile phones and a world leader in digital cellular technology. The company is part of Nokia, a global telecommunications and electronics group headquartered in Helsinki, Finland. Nokia employs nearly 34,000 people in 45 countries, and had net sales of $8.4 billion (U.S.D.) in 1995.
For additional information contact Nokia Mobile Phones/Communications at +358-10-5051 or on the World Wide Web at http://www.nokia.com.
About Intel
Intel, the world's largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of personal computer, networking and communications products.