Source: GeoworksSAN JOSE, Calif. - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Oct. 1, 1997 - Geoworks (NASDAQ:GWRX), a leading provider of smart phone software solutions, announced today an expansion of Geoworks' license with Sun Microsystems.
This expansion will combine Geoworks' modular, open operating system with Sun's powerful and intuitive Java(TM) programming language to create a solution for mobile communications devices.
Geoworks, an innovator in creating powerful, compact operating system environments focused on the needs of wireless communicators, is developing an efficient implementation of the PersonalJava(TM) virtual specification for wireless smart phones. Because smart phones have integrated communication capabilities and specialized power, screen size and memory requirements, applications must be specifically tailored to meet these rigid requirements.
Geoworks has years of development experience in creating operating systems that are feature rich and communications centric, targeted for devices with limited resources. Geoworks is now utilizing this expertise with Sun to develop an implementation of Java appropriate for smart phones.
"Sun is excited that Geoworks' smart phone software development efforts include implementation of the PersonalJava platform," said David Spenhoff, director of product marketing at Sun Microsystems' JavaSoft division. "We look forward to seeing Geoworks' PersonalJava implementation being utilized by both smart phone manufacturers and Java developers who are supplying applications for this burgeoning market."
This will enable Java developers to use the optimized PersonalJava environment to create a wide range of Java-based applications for the growing smart phone market without having to learn the complexities of a smart phone's operating system code or the software development environment. It will also enable smart phone users to execute Java applets from any Internet or corporate Intranet Web sites, expanding the Web-based functionality of smart phones.
"Being able to utilize Java as a widely used development environment is going to be critical for the mobile communications market," said Rob Hayes, Java product manager at Geoworks. "To ensure corporations and mobile users are able to enjoy the power and leveragability of Java tools and applications, we are working with Sun to efficiently implement Java applications for smart phones and other mobile devices."
PersonalJava is a new Java Application Environment for network-connectable applications on personal consumer devices for home, office, and mobile use. Similar to Java, PersonalJava consists of core and standard extension APIs. It is designed specifically for resource-limited environments. PersonalJava includes a feature level subset of Java, meaning any PersonalJava based application is also upwardly compatible to the full implementation Java.
About Geoworks
Based in Alameda, Calif., Geoworks is a leading software provider for manufacturers of mobile communicating devices, including smart phones, as well as the cellular industry. The company has licensed its GEOS 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 on the World Wide Web at http://www.geoworks.com.
Note to Editors: In keeping with U.S. law, Geoworks notes that this press release includes forward-looking statements, including the company's intention to implement Java for wireless devices, the ability for Java developers to create applications for wireless devices, the ability of smart phone users to execute Java applets from the Web, Java being critical to the smart phone market, the combination of Geoworks' operating system and the Java programming language producing a solution for mobile communications devices, and Geoworks' intent to work with content and services providers and cellular operators and the establishment of key partnerships.
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 and third-party application market for smart phones may not emerge to the degree or in the timing anticipated; ii) the company must consummate definitive agreements with key partners; and iii) 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.