Source: CompuServeGEOWORKS PROVIDES KEY ENABLING SOFTWARE FOR FIRST SMART PHONE DESIGNED FOR THE AMERICAS
PCS 1900 version of the Nokia 9000 Communicator to be available within U.S., Canada and Latin America in '97
Alameda, Calif. (Sept. 19, 1996) -- Geoworks (Nasdaq:GWRX) today announced its GEOS(R) 3.0 operating system platform is at the heart of the new version of the Nokia 9000 Communicator, which was unveiled today at the PCS '96 show in San Francisco. With availability in the U.S., Canada and Latin America scheduled for the second half of 1997, the PCS 1900 version of the Nokia 9000 is the first all-in-one communicator designed for the Americas markets.
The Nokia 9000, currently available in Europe and parts of Asia, has received positive reviews from European consumers, retailers, service providers, software developers and the telecommunications industry around the world since its introduction in March. Nokia feels the enthusiastic reception of the Nokia 9000 demonstrates the tremendous interest in such an integrated communications device.
"From the earliest stages of our companies' relationship, we have shared a vision of providing powerful yet simple-to-use communications tools that allow people to phone, fax, page and even access the Internet from a single, familiar handheld device," said Gordon Mayer, president and CEO of Geoworks. "Now, with Nokia's announcement to provide the 9000 Communicator for PCS 1900 networks in the Americas, we're truly seeing this vision become a global reality. This is an enormous step forward for our strategy and the industry."
K-P Wilska, president of Nokia, Inc., added, "Digital cellular technology and the quality of services have matured to a stage where Nokia sees an opportunity to take a leap towards the wireless pocketable office for mobile subscribers in the Americas. There also has been considerable interest from companies who wish to optimize the Nokia 9000 Communicator to serve their specific customer needs."
The GEOS 3.0 operating system platform provides an open development environment so that users of the Nokia 9000 will be able to add innovative new functionality as it's available from service providers, software developers, Nokia and Geoworks. Additionally, by providing extensive communications capabilities and a flexible, easy-to-use interface, GEOS 3.0 enables Nokia to offer users a comprehensive mobile communications solution.
The revolutionary Nokia 9000 Communicator combines digital voice and data services with personal-organizer functionality into a single, small-sized and easy-to-use unit. In addition to voice calls, it enables users to send and receive faxes, e-mail and short messages, as well as access Internet services and corporate and public databases. It also provides users with organization functions including a highly integrated address book, calendar, notepad and calculator.
End-To-End Solutions
Geoworks recognizes that users of all-in-one communicators such as the Nokia 9000 will look to customize their devices with specific content and services such as news, weather, investment, sports and entertainment. To this end, the company recently announced the formation of its Wireless Content & Services Division.
Geoworks is partnering with leading content and service providers to deliver a wide range of compelling solutions to customers of the Nokia 9000 Communicator. The company to date has partnered with HotWired, Inc. to develop a special smart phone version of its online magazine; Newsbytes News Network, the largest electronic news service covering computer, telecommunications and online topics; InfoSpace, Inc., a corporate directory listings service; and WeatherLabs, Inc., a leading provider of electronic weather-related information.
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 to deliver compelling content and services to users of GEOS-based smart phones.
For additional information, contact Geoworks on the World Wide Web at http://www.geoworks.com.
About Nokia
Finland-based Nokia is an international telecommunications company with 1995 net sales of $8.4 billion. Nokia is Europe's largest manufacturer of mobile telephones, a pioneer in digital switching and wireless communications, and a significant supplier of advanced access systems, including home terminals. Nokia shares are traded in the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol NOKA. The shares are also traded in Helsinki, Stockholm, London, Paris and Frankfurt.
For additional information, contact Nokia on the World Wide Web at http://www.nokia.com.
In keeping with U.S. law, the company notes that several statements in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements," including, but not limited to, statements concerning the timing, availability and geographic distribution of smart cellular phones in the Americas, as well as third-party estimates of market size. Actual results may vary due to a number of risks, including but not limited to, the timing risks inherent in the development and delivery of complex new technologies, and the need for complementary products and services to reach the market. For a general discussion of these and other risk factors, see the Company's annual and quarterly reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not endorse third-party market size estimates.