Source: GeoworksGEOWORKS DELIVERS INNOVATIVE CONTENT FOR WIRELESS DEVICES
Geoworks and Nokia Expand Relationship in Wireless Messaging and Services
Alameda, CA (April 24, 1997) - Continuing to provide network operators with new ways to deliver value-added information services for mobile phone users, Geoworks (NASDAQ: GWRX) announced today that it will expand its co-operation with Nokia (NYSE: NOK A) to provide packaged content and services for Smart Messaging, the Nokia-developed GSM wireless service architecture announced last month at the CeBIT '97 technology fair. Geoworks will provide innovative wireless services utilizing Nokia's newly proposed Smart Messaging specification. The new open specification will enable digital cellular GSM phones to access a variety of wireless services and information available on the Internet.
The expansion of Geoworks' relationship with Nokia reflects Geoworks' strategy to provide value-added services to a broad range of wireless terminals including smart phones. In 1996, Geoworks formed a separate Wireless Content and Services division that has secured relationships with publishers, news organizations and information providers to deliver valuable content and services via cellular operators.
"Our companies have been working to deliver innovative handsets and through this new collaboration, we together will enable network operators to take full advantage of a comprehensive set of wireless content and service offerings," said Reijo Paajanen, senior vice president, Nokia Mobile Phones, Wireless Data. "Geoworks is continuing to drive content to our platform."
The Nokia-developed Smart Messaging specification is an open and fully Internet-compatible solution, supported by a Nokia terminal and server product suite, that also enables many existing cellular phones to access Internet information. These service innovations will enable wireless phones to access and display interactive information.
"Geoworks and Nokia are committed to delivering value-added Internet-based solutions to users of digital cellular phones," said Jonathan Kaplan, vice president and publisher of wireless content and services at Geoworks. "The Smart Messaging specification and service products announced by Nokia enable Geoworks to deliver to network operators Internet-based wireless content and services serving a broad range of terminals, including smart phones."
The new Smart Messaging specification will enable consumers to use their GSM phones for such things as remote shopping, telebanking and access to information and entertainment services. The Smart Messaging protocol will simplify the development of these services so subscribers will only need to enter a keyword and send it as a short message to the digital wireless network to access the information they require.
This new collaboration represents further momentum for Geoworks in its drive to establish alliances with international cellular operators and providers of wireless content and services. It will provide users of smart phones with easy access to a wide range of customized information and services such as travel, financial data, news, entertainment, electronic commerce and directory services.
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 1-510-814-1660 or on the World Wide Web at http://www.geoworks.com/.About Nokia
Nokia is a leading international telecommunications company with 1996 net sales of FIM 39.3 billion (USD 8.5 billion) and over 31,000 employees. A pioneer in wireless technology, Nokia is Europe's largest and the world's second largest manufacturer of mobile phones, the market leader in digital handsets, and a leading supplier of digital cellular networks. The company also supplies advanced transmission systems, access networks and multimedia equipment. Nokia's shares are listed on the Frankfurt, Helsinki, London, New York, Paris and Stockholm stock exchanges. For further information, please visit Nokia on the World Wide Web at http://www.nokia.com.In keeping with U.S. law, Geoworks notes that this press release includes forward-looking statements, including the Company's intention to develop products and services for use with Nokia phones, and the Company's plans to package and deliver Internet access and targeted content and services to users of smart phones. Actual results may vary significantly due to various risks and uncertainties. Those include, but are not limited to, the following: i) the smart phone market may not emerge to the degree or in the timing anticipated; ii) the Company must consummate definitive agreements with key market participants; iii) delivery of content and services to cellular phones is dependent upon the development of complementary technologies and alliances beyond the Company's control; and iv) new technologies and new services 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.