ALAMEDA, Calif., Oct. 25, 1994 -- Geoworks (NASDAQ/NMS: GWRX) today
announced an innovative new software product that enables software
developers, content providers and consumers to easily create "electronic
books" that are designed specifically for viewing on personal digital
assistants (PDAs), mobile computers and other consumer-oriented computing
devices. The announcement was made today at the annual meeting of the
American Electronics Association in Monterey, Calif.
Geoworks, one of the leading suppliers of systems level software for
consumer computing devices, sees its new Geoworks Bindery authoring system
as a way to let content publishers and corporations easily create truly
useable content on the desktop for viewing on mobile devices, expanding
device use far beyond simple personal organization and notetaking.
With Geoworks Bindery, inexpensive books of customized, electronic
information can be created quickly for viewing on any device running the
GEOS(R) operating system, such as the Casio and Tandy PDAs and the Sharp
Electronics PT 9000 personal information assistant.
"Many mobile devices to date, particularly PDAs, have been used primarily
as personal organizers and communicators," said Gordon Mayer, Geoworks
president and chief executive officer. "Geoworks Bindery augments those
capabilities by turning these devices into an instant travel guide, for
instance, that people may access via wireless communication technologies
at information kiosks located at airports around the world."
In addition, Mayer said the Geoworks Bindery will allow corporations to
easily publish a wealth of company information, including corporate price
lists and product specifications and descriptions, that mobile
professionals can refer to any time, any place during their travels. The
Geoworks Bindery lets people choose the type of information they want and
need most in their PDAs and other mobile products.
The Geoworks Bindery authoring system, available by the end of the year
directly from Geoworks for $149.00, consists of a non-technical, easy to
use authoring tool for the desktop that requires no programming.
Electronic books can be viewed on any GEOS-based mobile device or CCD with
the Geoworks Book Reader, which is being distributed free by Geoworks and
will be pre- installed on upcoming GEOS-based devices.
Offering a family of compelling after-market software products is part of
Geoworks strategy to establish GEOS as a leading operating system platform
for consumer computing devices such as mobile computers, smart phones and
interactive TV. The Geoworks Bindery, with the accompanying Geoworks Book
Reader, is the company s first product that will enable the mass market
opportunity for consumable information content.
The company also is establishing partnerships with the world s leading
computer and consumer electronics hardware vendors, independent software
developers, communication services providers and mass market distributors.
To date it enjoys relationships with America On-Line, Brother
International Corporation, Canon Business Machines, Inc., Casio Computer
Co., Ltd., CompuServe, Inc., IBM EduQuest, Motorola, Inc., Sharp
Corporation, Tandy Corporation and Toshiba Corporation. In addition,
Hewlett-Packard Company and Novell, Inc., have made significant equity
investments in the company.
Geoworks develops and markets operating system and application software
for the emerging consumer computing device (CCD) market. CCDs include
mobile devices, smart phones, information appliances and set-top boxes for
interactive television.
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CONTACT:
Megan Manning
Copithorne & Bellows
(415) 975-2217
Deborah Dawson
Geoworks
(510) 814-5750
-- -Brian Smithson brian@grot.starconn.com