SDK announcement

brian@piano.grot.starconn.com (Brian Smithson)
From: brian@piano.grot.starconn.com (Brian Smithson)
Message-id: <9310131523.ZM1285@piano.grot.starconn.com>
Date: Wed, 13 Oct 1993 15:23:57 -0700
X-Mailer: Z-Mail (2.1.1 01dec92)
To: zoomer-list-1993@grot.starconn.com
Subject: SDK announcement
Status: OR
GEOWORKS ANNOUNCES SDK FOR GEOS;
TOOLS PUT MOBILE MARKET WITHIN REACH

	BERKELEY, Calif. -- The GEOS*  2.0 Software 
Development Kit (SDK), an all-inclusive set of application 
tools and documentation on CD-ROM, will be commercially 
available Oct. 15 from Geoworks.  The SDK provides 
everything software developers need to create applications 
for any hardware operating on the GEOS platform.  
	The SDK runs in a cross-development environment, which 
makes it possible for developers to create a single 
application for multiple consumer computing devices (CCDs), 
like the Zoomer personal digital assistant (PDA) from 
Casio/Tandy and the PT-9000 personal information assistant 
(PIA) from Sharp Electronics, simultaneously.  
	To do this, SDK users need two PCs connected by a 
serial cable or a PC connected to the CCD itself.  The first 
PC, the host, is for developing and debugging the 
application code.  The second unit runs the application.  If 
developers are using a PC as the second device, the SDK will 
emulate the user interface (UI) of the CCD, allowing 
developers to debug their applications in the same look and 
feel of that specific environment.  Users can also debug 
quickly and easily between environments.  This unique two-
machine set up allows SDK users to design high-quality 
applications that will run across a wide range of products.   
	The beta version of Geoworks' SDK will feature user 
interfaces that emulate the Zoomer, the PT-9000 and PCs. 
	Geoworks also designed the SDK to be fully extensible 
to support new GEOS-based CCDs as they become available.  
The kit includes support for devices with pen input.  

	"We believe the new consumer computing device market 
will consist of many different types of products," said 
Brian Dougherty, chairman and CEO, Geoworks.  "So we wanted 
a flexible SDK that would accommodate diverse development 
needs."  
	Among the tools included in the Geoworks SDK are the 
GEOS debugger, SWAT, which developers can program to create 
their own custom debugging commands; a Linker (GLUE), which 
lets users link together file dependencies; a Resource 
Editor, which enables non-programmers to translate the 
applications to foreign languages; and an Icon Editor, which 
allows developers to create custom icons.
	Developers attending Geoworks' first developer 
conference Oct. 25-26 will receive the SDK free of charge.  
The conference will highlight the opportunities for software 
developers in the CCD market and will include presentations 
by top Geoworks executives, senior executives from the 
company's  hardware partners Casio, Tandy and Sharp 
Electronics and key industry analysts.  "GEOS:  The New 
Profit Platform" will be held at the Hyatt Regency, 
Burlingame, Calif.  To register, call Geoworks at 1-800-524-
1857, ext. 1214.  The cost for attending is $595.
	Geoworks is making its SDK available on CD-ROM at $99, 
which includes all development tools and on-line 
documentation in ASCII, PostScript and FrameReader formats.  
A hard copy of the documentation is available for $295.  To 
order, call Geoworks at 1-800-GEOS-SDK, beginning Oct. 15.
	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 and markets targeted 
applications for an emerging class of consumer computing 
devices designed to communicate, entertain and manage 
information for mass market consumers.  Geoworks products 
are available worldwide through OEMs, dealer channels and 
republishers.


GEOS and Geoworks are registered trademarks of Geoworks in the U.S.A. and
other countries.  All other trademarks are the property of their respective
holders.


-- 
-Brian Smithson
 brian@grot.starconn.com