Source: GeoworksGEOWORKS ANNOUNCES WIRELESS INFORMATION PILOT SERVICE WITH FUJITSU SOFTWARE CORPORATION
Premion Information Service to Deliver Content to Smart and Digital Cellular Phone Users via Fujitsu's ByeDesk Link Server Software
ALAMEDA, Calif., August 12, 1998 - Geoworks Corporation (NASDAQ: GWRX), a leading provider of smart phone solutions, announced today that it has signed a co-marketing agreement with Fujitsu Software Corporation to promote Geoworks' new Premion Information Service via Fujitsu's ByeDesk Link server software application. Under the terms of the agreement, Geoworks is offering a pilot version of the Premion Information Service to users of Fujitsu's wireless Web site www.byedesk.com. The first information service to come from Geoworks' Wireless Content and Services group, the Premion Information Service features general news, stock quotes, driving directions and dining information, and will be available only to ByeDesk Link users.
The Premion Information Service features four content-rich services, which relay information from leading content suppliers. Through the Premion Information Service, ByeDesk Link users can now receive headline news from United Press International (UPI), stock quotes from Data Broadcasting Corporation, major metropolitan restaurant reviews from Zagat Survey, and door-to-door driving directions from ETAK Inc.
Fujitsu's ByeDesk Link is a software application that is installed on a corporate intranet server, or hosted by an Internet Service Provider (ISP) or GSM-based cellular carrier. ByeDesk Link software enables users of small wireless devices such as digital cellular phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and pagers to send and receive e-mails and faxes, to access corporate directories and synchronize calendars, and to receive "instant messaging" of notifications and data updates. Now, with Premion Information Service, ByeDesk Link users can also receive broadcasts of news instantly to their mobile device, regardless of time and place.
"As a proven leader in meeting the communication and information needs of busy professionals, Geoworks has assembled an important and informative data package which Fujitsu is proud to offer via ByeDesk Link," said Esa Ketola, general manager and executive director, Fujitsu Software Corporation. "Geoworks' Premion Information Service adds important new functionality, making ByeDesk Link even more valuable for our customers."
ByeDesk Link enables people to become truly mobile without having to give up the benefits of traditional office information systems. It fully supports a number of wireless devices including mobile phones, PDAs and pagers.
"Known for its quality and accessibility, Fujitsu's ByeDesk Link is an ideal launch pad for the pilot test of Premion Information Service," said David Thatcher, Geoworks' president and CEO. "Because the ByeDesk Link software is designed just for mobile users, smart phone and digital cellular phone customers will be able to enjoy this new connectivity to news and office communications anytime, anywhere."
Products Conform to WAP Standards
Both Geoworks and Fujitsu are members of the Wireless Applications Protocol (WAP) forum, and both Premion and ByeDesk Link are designed to conform to WAP standards and work with forth-coming WAP-compatible devices. WAP standards allow direct interfacing between the Internet's TCP/IP medium and cellular phone mediums, regardless of what platform the cellular phone system operates on. WAP was first announced by Nokia, Ericsson and Motorola in June of 1997, and the WAP forum has since added dozens of members to its ranks.Free Trial Period
Wireless device users whose employers or ISPs don't currently have ByeDesk Link software installed can still try out ByeDesk Link's connectivity features and Premion's information services now. For a free trial, visit Fujitsu's Web site at www.byedesk.com.About Fujitsu Software Corporation
Fujitsu Software Corporation (FSC) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fujitsu Limited, a $37.7 billion international leader in computers, telecommunications, software, information systems solutions and semiconductor products. Formed in 1991, Fujitsu Software Corp. focuses on key technology markets including wireless technology, Internet/Intranet groupware and workflow software. FSC is headquartered in San Jose, California. For further corporate information, visit their Web site at http://www.fsc.fujitsu.com.About Geoworks
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Based in Alameda, Calif. with international operations in the United Kingdom and Japan, Geoworks Corporation is a leading provider of end-to-end software solutions for the wireless communications industry. The Company creates operating system software, applications and actionable services for a variety of wireless devices, ranging from enhanced phones to high-end, all-in-one smart communicators. For additional information on Geoworks, contact the Company 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 planned availability of Geoworks' Premion Information Service and other wireless content and services. Actual results may vary significantly due to various risks and uncertainties. Those include, but are not limited to, the risk that 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.