Source: GeoworksGEOWORKS APPOINTS NEW GENERAL MANAGER FOR JAPAN
New Manager To Expand Japanese Presence and Drive Additional Japanese Opportunities
ALAMEDA, Calif. (April 8, 1998) - In response to the growing interest in the company's operating system in Japan, Geoworks (NASDAQ: GWRX), a leading provider of smart phone software solutions, has appointed Hisao Shima as Geoworks K.K. general manager. Shima is now responsible for maintaining and expanding Geoworks' relationships with hardware manufacturers and cellular operators in Japan, the world's fastest growing digital cellular market.
Prior to joining Geoworks, Shima was responsible for establishing Japanese operations for several US and UK-based companies. In these positions, Shima successfully created strong identities and enhanced customer service for these organizations in Japan.
"Geoworks has established strong connections with leading manufacturers in Japan's telecommunications market - including NEC, Toshiba, and Mitsubishi - and is experiencing increased interest in our smart phone operating system solution from other manufacturers," said David Thatcher, Geoworks president. "Shima will manage these relationships and actively work to establish new ones. He is particularly well suited because of his extensive experience in managing local Japanese offices and developing key business relationships for foreign companies. This experience will help Geoworks reinforce strong senior-level support to our efforts in Japan."
Geoworks has focused on working with key Japanese companies for a number of years. In June 1997, Toshiba shipped the GENIO PCV100, a smart phone utilizing Geoworks' GEOS operating system. NEC, a leading provider of digital cellular handsets in Japan, also has licensed the Geoworks' GEOS operating system for a smart phone product. Mitsubishi recently announced that it has licensed Geoworks' GEOS-SC operating system for its new line of smart phones for the Japanese market.
About Geoworks
Based in Alameda, Calif., Geoworks Corporation 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 and GEOS-SC operating systems to leading manufacturers, including Mitsubishi, Nokia, Toshiba Corp., Hewlett-Packard Co., Brother International Corp. and Canon Business Machines. In addition, the company is working with content and services providers and international cellular operators. For additional information on Geoworks, its operating system and wireless content services, 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 which include, but are not limited to the emergence of the Japanese mobile communications market. 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.