Source: GeoworksALAMEDA, Calif. -(BUSINESS WIRE)- Nov. 10, 1997 - Geoworks (Nasdaq:GWRX), a leading provider of smart phone software solutions, and Telecom Finland, Finland's leading telecommunications company, today activated Geoworks' Wireless Data Backup(TM), the world's first remote wireless data backup service for smart phones.
The service provides an easy, one-button wireless restoration solution that transfers and updates critical information residing on mobile devices to a secure, remote-storage server.
Telecom Finland is offering this new Geoworks service because it realizes that to smart phone owners, the information stored on the device can be more valuable than the phone itself. Wireless Data Backup features an easy menu-based screen interface that allows users to securely backup short messages, faxes, emails, calendars and address entries to a remote server.
Wireless Data Backup takes full advantage of Telecom Finland's wireless Internet service by allowing users to download the application directly into their phones from a special Telecom Finland Web site. Using the smart phone's Web browsing function, subscribers download the application, where it automatically configures the device. Once the application is installed, subscribers can determine when and how frequently their data should be backed up.
"Wireless data backup is the beginning of a new generation of services that will add additional value to our subscribers' mobile devices, increase customer loyalty, and offer us new revenue opportunities," said Pekka Keskiivari, product manager for mobile data at Telecom Finland. "By introducing new mobile data services, like those being offered by Geoworks' wireless services group, we are enhancing our own position as a worldwide leader in wireless data communications."
This launch highlights Geoworks' focus on developing, delivering and supporting practical wireless applications for the growing smart phone market. Geoworks is the only company that offers both robust wireless data services to carriers and a powerful operating system specifically tailored to meet the needs of mobile communications device manufacturers.
"Through Geoworks' end-to-end solutions, wireless communications subscribers can do more than ever before with their smart phone data capabilities," said Jonathan Kaplan, vice president and publisher of Geoworks' Wireless and Content Services group. "We believe that offering these types of compelling wireless data services will become a growing trend for telecommunications carriers worldwide. We are pleased that our first opportunity to offer these services is with Telecom Finland, an acknowledged technology leader."
About Telecom Finland Ltd.
Telecom Finland, Ltd. is Finland's leading telecommunications company and a forerunner in the development and production of intelligent network-based voice and value-added services. The company offers its customers and partners expertise covering a wide product range including all areas of fixed and mobile telephony, data communication and networked multimedia. It is fully-owned by the Finnish state, has a workforce of about 7,500 and had an annual turnover of about FIM 6.4 billion in 1996. Additional information on Telecom Finland Ltd. is available at: http://www.tfi.net.About Geoworks Corporation
Based in Alameda, Calif., Geoworks Corporation is a leading software provider for the cellular industry and manufacturers of mobile communicating devices, including smart phones. The company has licensed its GEOSr operating system to leading manufacturers such as Nokia, Ericsson, NEC, Toshiba Corporation, Hewlett-Packard Company [HWP], Brother International Corp. and Canon Business Machines. In addition, the company is working with content and services providers, and international cellular operators. For additional information on Geoworks and the GEOS operating system, contact Geoworks on the World Wide Web at http://www.geoworks.com.In keeping with U.S. law, Geoworks notes that this press release includes forward-looking statements, including the expected availability, growth and consumer acceptance of value added services for smart phone subscribers. Actual results may vary significantly due to various risks and uncertainties. Those include, but are not limited to, the following: i) the smart communicator market may not emerge to the degree or in the timing anticipated; and ii) new technologies are inherently subject to development, timing and consumer acceptance risks. Additional information is available in the Risk Factors and Business discussions in the Company's Forms 10-K, 10-Q and other filings available from the Company or from the Securities and Exchange Commission.