Source: Posting on America OnlinePacific Bell Mobile Services to Offer Advanced Voice and Data Services in PCS 1900 Network Products Incorporating GEOS(R) Software to Take Advantage of Advanced Network Features
Pleasanton, Calif. - April 29, 1996 - Pacific Bell Mobile Services announced today that it will offer advanced voice and data services in its PCS-1900 communications network scheduled to go into service in early 1997. Handsets incorporating the GEOS(R) operating system software from Geoworks will combine applications that use the network's features and services, including voice and data transmission, fax, e-mail and text messaging.
The GEOS operating system allows manufacturers to take advantage of its flexibility, integrated applications and broad independent software vendor (ISV) support. Manufacturers Nokia and Ericsson are currently in the development stages with Geoworks for products that will work on PCS 1900 systems.
"Technology now exists to create hand-held devices that fully integrate telephony and data transmission. For many customers, one sophisticated handset will fulfill all their communications needs." said Terrence Valeski, vice president of marketing and business development for Pacific Bell Mobile Services, which will begin to sell the handsets later in the year.
"Ericsson and Pacific Bell Mobile Services have worked together closely to understand consumers' voice and data requirements," said Joran Hoff, vice president of Ericsson. "Delivering that rich feature set in a convenient, stylish, and easy-to-use product is our main objective."
"Nokia has been a major contributor to the wireless data market for some time and, with the recent launch of the Nokia 9000 Communicator for GSM, has defined the smart phone category," said Reijo Paajanen, vice president of Nokia Wireless Data Group. "The capabilities of the digital PCS-1900 network will allow for flexible platforms that are very similar in size and functionality to standard mobile phones, yet have powerful messaging capabilities customers expect."
"Geoworks has worked on issues facing the mobile market with development focus in both organizer and smart phone technologies," said Gordon Mayer, president of Geoworks. "We look forward to continued work with hardware manufacturers and the ISV community to develop products and services that support this broad-based standard, fueling growth in the smart phone category and providing customers significant value."
Software developers seeking more information can contact:
Glenn Gottlieb
Pacific Bell
510-227-3274Mike Parker
Ericsson
919-472-7000Philip Ellison
Mobile Services Nokia
214-257-9573Deborah Dawson
Geoworks
510-814-5750Pacific Bell Mobile Services is the wireless communications subsidiary of Pacific Bell. Pacific Telesis Group, parent company of Pacific Bell and PBMS, is a diversified telecommunications corporation based in San Francisco.
Finland-based Nokia is an international telecommunications company with 1995 net sales of $8.4 billion. The company is Europe's largest, and the world's second-largest, manufacturer of cellular telephones, and is a pioneer in digital switching and cellular telephone technology. Visit Nokia's web site at www.nokia.com for more information about Nokia and the Nokia 9000 Communicator.
Ericsson's 80,000 employees are active in more than 100 countries. Their combined expertise in switching, radio and networking makes Ericsson a world leader in telecommunications.
Geoworks, based in Alameda, Calif., develops and markets operating systems and application software for the consumer computer device (CCD) market. GEOS is a leading compact, object-oriented operating system offering a patented, flexible user interface that allows hardware manufacturers to develop customized user interfaces that best meets the needs of their customers while delivering the benefits of an open platform. For additional information on Geoworks and the GEOS operating system, contact Geoworks at 1-510-814-1660 or on the World Wide Web at http://www.geoworks.com/