Source: GeoworksALAMEDA, Calif. -(BUSINESS WIRE)- June 25, 1997 - Geoworks (NASDAQ:GWRX), a leading provider of smart phone software solutions, announced today that it has signed an agreement to license Spyglass' (NASDAQ:SPYG) Prism content conversion technology.
The alliance is intended to enable cellular operators to provide an easy way for smart phone users to access any Web page, and automatically reconfigure the pages to meet the requirements of mobile device screens. This will provide cellular operators with a valuable service, enhancing their overall product offering.
The World Wide Web contains vast amounts of content useful to mobile users, but because of its existing and highly visual design, it generally takes a long time to download and is not appropriately formatted for smart phone screens.
Converting the content to a format suitable for these devices is expected to reduce download times and increase the usefulness of Internet content for mobile professionals. This will enable cellular network providers to distinguish their service offerings and provide an opportunity to extend consumer brand awareness.
"For the first time, existing Web content can be delivered two to 10 times faster to mobile devices such as smart phones," said Jack Armstrong, Spyglass director, Product Management. "Spyglass Prism content conversion technology, combined with Geoworks' smart phone expertise, is intended to provide access to a range of wireless services."
"The graphics and formatting on many Internet Web sites creates a viewing challenge for smart phone screens," said Grover Righter, vice president of the Wireless Content and Services group at Geoworks. "Our agreement with Spyglass allows us to develop a compelling product for cellular operators so that they can provide their customers with the ability to access Web content for smart phones."
Smart phones are next-generation, digital-cellular telephones that integrate voice and data transmission capabilities within one handheld device. According to research firm Mobile Insights, the worldwide market for smart phones is expected to reach $2 billion by the year 2000. The first GEOS-based smart phone, the Nokia 9000 Communicator, is currently available within Europe, parts of Asia, Latin America and Australia, with U.S. availability targeted for later in 1997.
About Geoworks
Based in Alameda, 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 Corp., Hewlett-Packard Co., 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 510/814-1660 or on the World Wide Web at www.geoworks.com.
Spyglass Inc.
Spyglass Inc. (NASDAQ:SPYG) provides software and services to make devices work with the World Wide Web. Among Spyglass' OS device customers are Integrated Systems Inc., Lynx Real-Time Systems Inc., Microware Systems Corp., QNX Software Systems Ltd. and Wind River Systems.Other customers include BellSouth, Computer Associates Inc., Digital Equipment Corp., IBM Corp., Microsoft Corp., Oracle Corp., WebTV Networks, and Xerox Corp. Spyglass headquarters are located at 1240 E. Diehl Road, Naperville, Ill. 60563; telephone: 630/245-6500; fax: 630/245-6693; press email inquiries: rpitzer@spyglass.com; Web server: http://www.spyglass.com.
Spyglass and the Spyglass logo are registered trademarks of Spyglass Inc. "Make the Net Work" is a trademark of Spyglass Inc. in the United States and other countries. Mosaic is a trademark of the University of Illinois. (Other products and brand names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.)
In keeping with U.S. law, Geoworks notes that this press release includes forward-looking statements, including the intention to develop and market Internet technologies for cellular operators, and estimates of smart phone market growth. Actual results may vary significantly due to various risks and uncertainties, including but are not limited to, the following: i) the risks and uncertainties inherent in the development of complex new technologies; and ii), the smart phone market may not emerge to the degree or in the timing anticipated. Additional information is available in the Risk Factors and Business discussions in the company's Forms 10-K, 10-Q available from the company or from the Securities and Exchange Commission.