For Immediate Release
GeoWorks Provides GEOS System Software on Casio/Tandy's Zoomer
Product Announced for Fall Availability
Chicago, June 3, 1993 - GeoWorks, the Berkeley, CA, developer of
sophisticated system software, today joined Casio, Inc., Tandy(R)
Corporation, Palm Computing, Intuit and America Online to announce the
availability of the Zoomer Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)(R) at the Summer
Consumer Electronics Show being held here through June 6.
At the announcement, the companies provided specifics on their joint project:
a handheld, pen-based device scheduled to be available in October. GeoWorks
is providing the underlying system software, GEOS(R), which provides rich
functionality while delivering "unconscious" battery life of up to 100 hours
so consumers won't need to remember to recharge their devices every day to
have access to their important information. Zoomer is the first device
enabled by the GEOS technology in the emerging class of low-cost hardware
that combines sophisticated consumer electronics, computer, and
communications capabilities.
GEOS is a leading edge, object oriented, graphical operating system designed
to meet the stringent resource requirements of these new compact,
lightweight, yet powerful devices. "A graphical environment running on
inexpensive, single chip processors is unheard of to date in this emerging
market," said Brian Dougherty, CEO of GeoWorks. "We have been working for the
past five years to develop an operating system that will provide high quality
graphics without demanding expensive system resources. This is a very
exciting day to see the first product to prove our vision a reality shown to
the public."
John V. Roach, chairman and chief executive officer of Tandy Corporation,
said "GeoWorks was able to deliver the system software required to meet the
design restrictions of Zoomer. It has 100 plus hours of battery life, the
simplicity of pen and paper, the logical power of a computer and the ability
to connect to a world of information in a pocket-sized device weighing less
than one pound."
"We believe Zoomer will be a tremendous success by combining a compelling
form factor along with sophisticated applications. But at its core is GEOS,
the only system software available on the market today that can deliver
robust functionality with very limited hardware resources. This will enable
Zoomer to be a truly open system that will benefit customers through a wide
range of after market applications, extending the functionality of Zoomer,"
said Bruce Mendel, director of marketing at Casio's PCD (Personal
Communications Division).
GeoWorks' vision for the past ten years has been to enable mass market
computing. Founded with the belief that this market holds tremendous
potential, GeoWorks has been developing system software to meet the needs of
a wide range of consumer computing devices from PDAs to TVs. Zoomer is the
first device that delivers the right functionality at the right price point
to make this market explode. "GeoWorks is thrilled to be a part of such an
exciting product and looks forward to continuing to innovate with our
partners Casio and Tandy," said Brian Dougherty.
GeoWorks, located in Berkeley, California, is the developer and publisher of
the acclaimed GEOS graphical operating system and of Ensemble(TM) application
software. The company provides sophisticated and highly efficient system
software and markets targeted applications for an emerging class of devices
designed to communicate, entertain and manage information for mass market
consumers. GeoWorks products are available worldwide through OEM, dealer
channels and republishers.
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For more information contact:
Deborah Dawson
GeoWorks
(510)204-8550
GEOS, GeoWorks and Ensemble are registered trademarks of GeoWorks in the
United States and other countries. Tandy is a registered trademark and Zoomer
and Zoomer PDA are trademarks of Tandy Corporation and Casio Inc.