Source: GeoworksGEOWORKS' OPERATING SYSTEM AT THE HEART OF TOSHIBA'S NEW "SMART COMMUNICATOR"
Targeted for Japan's exploding PHS digital-cellular market, Genio PCV100 furthers Geoworks' international expansion, strengthens its market-leadership position
ALAMEDA, Calif. (February 28, 1997) - Continuing to establish itself as the leading provider of software solutions for the mobile communicating device market, Geoworks (Nasdaq: GWRX) today announced its operating system software provides the foundation for Toshiba Corporation's new Genio PCV100 Pocket Communicator.
Targeted initially toward Japanese consumers on the PHS network, the PCV100 is the first product to have wireless web browsing capability and Toshiba's first communicator product based on the Geoworks OS. This product represents Geoworks' ongoing expansion into significant international regions, and its growing leadership position within the fast-emerging market for mobile communicating devices.
Japanese consumers are currently adopting digital-cellular technology at the world's fastest rate. Last year alone, subscribers to Japan's PHS (Personal Handyphone System) wireless network increased 679 percent to reach 4.9 million. According to industry analyst firm Dataquest, the Japanese market for digital-cellular phones and services will rise dramatically from $448.5 million in 1994 to a projected $1.72 billion in 1999.
"Introduction of the Genio PCV100 to consumers in Japan represents another critical milestone for establishing Geoworks' software as the international standard for next-generation mobile communicating devices," said Gordon Mayer, president and CEO of Geoworks. "The Japanese market in particular has demonstrated an eagerness to embrace the valuable functionality enabled by these powerful, yet easy-to-use digital-cellular phones which seamlessly integrate voice and data-communications capabilities."
The Genio PCV100 integrates voice capabilities with data-communications features such as e-mail, facsimile, paging and Internet access to wireless content and services. In the form of a small, handheld device with a stylus for data input, the Genio PCV100 is designed to operate on Japan's PHS wireless network, one of the dominant personal communications technologies used in Japan for wireless, mobile data communications.
"Geoworks' extremely compact, efficient operating system platform was key to successfully integrating the many communications capabilities within the Genio PCV100 device," said Hank Yamamoto, general manager, Business Planning Advanced-I Group, Toshiba Corporation. "We're pleased our long-standing relationship with Geoworks has resulted in such an innovative new communications device."
Today's announcement follows one made by Geoworks in November, 1995 which announced Toshiba's $4.5 million equity investment in Geoworks.
About Geoworks Based in Alameda, California, Geoworks is a leading software provider for the cellular industry and manufacturers of mobile communicating devices, such as smart phones. The company has licensed its operating system software to leading manufacturers, including Nokia, Ericsson, NEC, Toshiba Corporation, Hewlett-Packard Company, Brother International Corp. and Canon Business Machines. In addition, the company is currently working with international cellular operators, and selected providers of wireless content and services to provide a wide range of customized information and services - including travel reservations, financial data, news, entertainment, electronic commerce and directory services - to smart phone customers in Japan, Europe and the United States, and working on projects with global cellular operators such as NTT DoCoMo.
For additional information on Geoworks and the Geoworks OS 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 Company's intention to package and deliver targeted content and services, the emergence of the smart communicator market and forecasts by third parties concerning the potential for market growth, the establishment of key partnerships, and the timing and availability of content and services offerings worldwide. 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; ii) the Company must consummate definitive agreements with key partners; 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.