more on the GeoWorks/Sharp agreement (another press release)
brian@piano.grot.starconn.com (Brian Smithson)
From: brian@piano.grot.starconn.com (Brian Smithson)
Message-id: <9309091558.ZM10548@piano.grot.starconn.com>
Date: Thu, 9 Sep 1993 15:58:40 -0700
X-Mailer: Z-Mail (2.1.1 01dec92)
To: zoomer-list-1993@grot.starconn.com
Subject: more on the GeoWorks/Sharp agreement (another press release)
Status: OR
GeoWorks' third major OEM announced; Sharp Electronics Co supports GEOS platform
BERKELEY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GeoWorks Wednesday announced that Sharp
Electronics Corp. is the second major consumer electronics company to select
the GEOS operating system platform for its soon-to-be-announce PT-9000.
This is a major milestone in GeoWorks' mission to be a leading-edge operating
system for this emerging computing market.
The two companies have been working for the past year to develop a new class of
device that combines the best of a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) and a
notebook computer in a single product called a Personal Information Assistant.
This first product, the Sharp PT-9000, has been designed for the traveling
professional who needs the benefit ofeatured set of applications as well as
immediate access to his or her personal information.
"GeoWorks is extremely excited to have Sharp endorsing our operating system
platform," said Brian Dougherty, chairman and CEO of GeoWorks. "Sharp has a
clear track record in bringing new consumer electronics products to market. We
believe with partners like Sharp we will create a new class of products that
will truly meet the needs of a wide range of audiences."
GeoWorks has beg for the past six years to develop GEOS, an advanced operating
system that requires limited hardware resources. This allows hardware
manufacturers to deliver products that are low-cost and deliver long battery
life without sacrificing rich functionality. The efficiency allows GeoWorks'
OEMs to enjoy weeks and months of battery life.
Analysts feel that long battery life is a standard requirement for the consumer
electronics market.
"GeoWorks provided Sharp with a uniquen that will enable us to bring a truly
compelling product to market," said Gary Schwartz, vice president, Information
Systems Group, Sharp Electronics Co. in Mahwah, N.J.
"With its extremely efficient operating system, GEOS, we can deliver a device
that provides customers with a product with rich functionality, a graphical,
easy-to-use environment and weeks of battery life."
The Sharp PT-9000 has both pen input and a detachable keyboard. This unique
design takes advantoWorks' patented user interface technology that eliminates
input device dependence. Sharp's product is the first to deliver this type of
flexibility.
In addition to the system software, GeoWorks will provide several key
applications, including GeoWrite, a full-featured word processor, GeoFile, a
forms-based database, and GeoCalc, a graphical WYSIWYG (What You See Is What
You Get) spreadsheet. GeoWorks is also providing file management, graphical
user interface (GUI) and user ps and desktop file compatibility.
GeoWorks and Sharp will work together to encourage independent software vendors
(ISVs) to develop third-party applications to support this new Personal
Information Assistant. GEOS delivers an open system that encourages software
companies to be a part of this new computing mass market.
Palm Computing, Los Altos, Calif., will provide GEOS-based Personal Information
Management applications (PIMs) and America Online, Vienna, Va., will deliv GEOS
communications capabilities. Both companies are early developers of GEOS-based
applications software that, in addition to the applications provided by
GeoWorks, will deliver a complete set of functionality to Sharp's customers.
Sharp now joins a short list of leading hardware manufacturers that have
adopted the GEOS technology.
GeoWorks will be holding its first Developer Conference at the Hyatt Regency in
Burlingame, Calif., on Oct. 25 and 26, where attendees will rhe new GEOS
Software Development Kit (SDK) free. Call 800/524-1857, ext. 1214 for more
information.
Located in Berkeley, Calif., GeoWorks is the developer and publisher of the
GEOS graphical operating system and application software. The company provides
sophisticated and highly efficient system software with rich functionality that
will enable hardware manufacturers to market low-cost devices with extended
battery life.
GeoWorks also develops applications in the communicatntertainment and
information management markets. GeoWorks products are available worldwide
through OEMs, dealer channels and republishers.
As a recognized leader in consumer, office and industrial electronics products,
Sharp Electronics Corp. has sales of more than $2.4 billion, markets some 1,200
products in more than 40 product categories and employs more than 2,200 people
nationwide. Founded in 1962, Sharp Electronics is the U.S. sales and marketing
subsidiary of Japan's Sh, and is a leading seller of many electronics product
lines, including LCD products, camcorders, microwave ovens, electronic
organizers, copiers, facsimile machines and calculators.
NOTE: GeoWorks, GEOS and GeoFile are registered trademarks, and
GeoWrite and GeoCalc are trademarks, of GeoWorks. All other trademarks
are the property of their respective holders
CONTACT: GeoWorks, Berkeley
Deborah Dawson, 510/204-8550
The Bohle Co., Los Angeles
Holly Zmetrovich/Karl Fields, 310/785-0515
--
-Brian Smithson
brian@grot.starconn.com