Source: GeoworksNEW ALLIANCES FURTHER GEOWORKS' PLAN TO DELIVER VALUABLE CONTENT, INTERACTIVE SERVICES TO SMART PHONE CUSTOMERS
ALAMEDA, Calif. (February 3, 1997) - Continuing its initiative to develop end-to-end solutions for the emerging smart phone market, Geoworks (Nasdaq: GWRX) today announced alliances with two leading providers of Internet-based content and services: ITN (Internet Travel Network) and M.A.I.D plc (Market Analysis and Information Database). Both companies join the growing number of select content and services providers now working with Geoworks to make their wireless and online offerings widely available to smart phone customers.
"Geoworks continues to work with its global allies to provide smart phone users with easy access to valuable information and services while on the road," said Jonathan Kaplan, vice president and publisher of Geoworks' Wireless Content and Services division. "When used in tandem with the smart phones' inherent capabilities for conducting business remotely, wireless content and services have the potential to significantly increase the amount of business that can be accomplished outside the office."
Using GEOS-based smart phones, customers will have access to ITN's Internet-based travel service from which they can directly schedule air, car and hotel reservations. Customers will also have access to M.A.I.D's Profound Quotes service, which offers instant access to foreign-exchange rates and current stock prices from all major exchanges worldwide. M.A.I.D also intends to develop additional information services, including breaking business news, company statistics and broker reports. "A great deal of synergy exists between ITN's Web-based service and mobile professionals needing travel information and reservation services while they're on the go," said Ken Swanton, CEO of the Internet Travel Network. "Our work with Geoworks represents ITN's continued commitment to provide business travelers with the most effective, versatile travel tools as they're available." "M.A.I.D is strongly committed to meeting the information needs of business professionals worldwide," said Dan Wagner, CEO and founder of M.A.I.D. "Teaming with Geoworks to make our services easily accessible to smart phone customers definitely promises to extend our reach into this community even further."
Through its development efforts with other such content and services providers - including HotWired, Newsbytes, InfoSpace and Weatherlabs - Geoworks plans to provide global smart phone users with anytime, anywhere access to a wide range of customized content and services including travel information, financial data, news, entertainment, electronic commerce and directory services. Geoworks' content and services offerings are planned for availability over digital-cellular networks throughout Europe, Japan, and the U.S by late 1997.
The market for wireless data services is projected to grow from $2.7 billion in 1996 to approximately $10.9 billion in 2001, according to industry analysts at The Pelorus Group.
Smart phones are next-generation, digital-cellular telephones that integrate voice and data transmission capabilities - including voice mail, e-mail, facsimile, and Internet access to content and services - within one handheld device. The first smart phone built on the GEOS platform, the Nokia 9000 Communicator, is currently available within Europe, parts of Asia, Latin America, New Zealand and Australia.
About Geoworks
Based in Alameda, California, Geoworks a leading software provider for the cellular industry and 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, Brother International Corp. and Canon Business Machines. In addition, the company is also working with content and services providers, and global cellular operators. For additional information on Geoworks and the GEOS operating system, contact Geoworks on the World Wide Web at http://www.geoworks.com.About Internet Travel Network
Internet Travel Network (ITN) provides complete travel reservation services over the Internet to the corporate and leisure travel markets. Providing air, car, and hotel reservations on the Web, ITN enables fast, fun and easy-to-use booking systems for travelers. ITN's system interconnects with existing major travel reservation systems for speed, accuracy and reliability around the clock. ITN's customers include American Express Travel Services, Ticketmaster Corporation, Global Online Travel and US West's TheTrip.com. ITN's corporate customers include Texas Instruments, Schering Plough, Charles Schwab and others. The company is privately held and headquartered in Palo Alto, Calif. ITN's public service is located on the World Wide Web at http://www.itn.net.About M.A.I.D plc
M.A.I.D plc is a leading online supplier of business intelligence services to business professionals worldwide. Established in 1985, it maintains its world headquarters in London, North Carolina and Hong Kong, with regional offices in New York, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Washington D.C.; and in Amsterdam, Brussels, Copenhagen, Hong Kong, Paris, Singapore, Sydney and Toronto. The company maintains an authorized distributor network that includes Bangkok, Helsinki, Johannesburg, Manila, Moscow, Seoul, Tel Aviv and Tokyo. M.A.I.D plc was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1994, and gained a NASDAQ listing in 1995. For additional information, contact M.A.I.D plc on the World Wide Web at http://www.maid.com.In keeping with U.S. law, Geoworks notes that this press release contains "forward-looking statements." Actual results may vary due to risks, including but not limited to the timing and technical risks inherent in the development of complex technologies and the need for complementary products and services to emerge. Additional information may be found in the Company's 10-K, 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.