New Data Backup Product

Geoworks Announces Wireless Data Backup Product for Smart Phone Users

ALAMEDA, Calif. -(BUSINESS WIRE)- July 8, 1997 - Continuing in its mission to provide innovative services for smart phone users, Geoworks (NASDAQ:GWRX), a leading provider of smart phone software solutions, announced today that it is now offering a data backup and storage product for smart phone users.

This new product will enable end-users to easily backup and securely store data, creating a valuable after-market product line for cellular operators. Telecom Finland, Ltd., Finland's leading telecommunications company, recently announced that it will be providing this service to its customers.

The product protects phone users from loss, theft, and destruction of essential information stored on their smart phone devices. It enables them to upload and synchronize all information stored on the device to a secure server by simply touching a button. The backup can be configured to occur automatically at predefined intervals or on-demand by users.

To ensure security, all data sent for backup will be encrypted before transmission and stored in a secure format. The Geoworks product utilizes security technology developed by Connected Corporation, the developer of an online backup and recovery service.

"This new data backup product is a valuable offering to users of GEOS-based smart phones who want to safeguard important personal information such as their e-mail, faxes, appointment calendars and address books," said Grover Righter, vice president of Wireless Content and Services at Geoworks. "Smart phones provide consumers with the ability to manage all of their communications needs, so secure backup and restoration of critical information is extremely important on the road."

"With the anticipated widespread adoption of smart phones and other Internet-ready handheld devices, there will undoubtedly be a strong demand from mobile users looking for an easy, secure way to protect critical data," said Clint McClellan, analyst with market research firm Dataquest. "Providing mobile users with access to such valuable services will likely be a very important market for cellular operators."

Unlike traditional on-line backup services, Geoworks' product tracks and saves only the portions of each file that change from day to day, rather than backing up the entire file. This unique feature significantly reduces smart phone data-transmission time and associated costs because less data is transmitted.

Smart phones are next-generation, digital-cellular telephones that integrate voice and data transmission capabilities within one handheld device. According to research firm Mobile Insights, the worldwide market for smart phones is expected to reach $2 billion by the year 2000.

The first GEOS-based smart phone, the Nokia 9000 Communicator, is currently available within Europe, parts of Asia, Latin America and Australia, with U.S. availability targeted for later in 1997.

About Geoworks
Based in Alameda, California, Geoworks is a leading software provider for the cellular industry and manufacturers of mobile communicating devices, including smart phones. The company has licensed its GEOS(R) operating system to leading manufacturers such as Nokia, Ericsson, NEC, Toshiba Corporation, Hewlett-Packard Company, Brother International Corp. and Canon Business Machines.

In addition, the company intends to work with content and services providers, and international cellular operators. For additional information on Geoworks and the GEOS operating system, contact Geoworks at 510/814-1660 or on the World Wide Web at www.geoworks.com/.

In keeping with U.S. law, Geoworks notes that this press release includes forward-looking statements, including the intention to develop and support smart phone data backup services, plans to deliver content and services to smart phone customers, and forecasts by third parties concerning the potential for smart phone market growth.

Actual results may vary significantly due to various risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, the following: i) the risks and uncertainties inherent in the development of complex new technologies; ii), the smart phone market may not emerge to the degree or in the timing anticipated; and ii) delivering content is dependent upon the development of complementary technologies and alliances.

Additional information is available in the Risk Factors and Business discussions in the Company's Forms 10-K, 10-Q available from the Company or from the Securities and Exchange Commission.