NEW PHONE FEATURES INNOVATIVE NEW SERVICES, INCLUDING GPS FUNCTIONALITY
ALAMEDA, Calif. (June 7, 1999) - Geoworks Corporation, (NASDAQ: GWRX), a leading provider of wireless software and service solutions, announced today that it has provided the engineering expertise and technology to produce a new mobile communications device for Seiko Epson Corp. of Japan.
Called the Locatio, the multi-purpose phone is equipped with GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) technology and features a built-in digital camera with a full color display. The Locatio was announced on May 17 and goes on sale in Japan today. Images of the device can be found at http://www.i-love-epson.co.jp.
The Locatio runs on Seiko Epson's new "i-Point" network, also unveiled today in Japan, which provides applications and location-oriented content.
Seiko Epson plans to obtain 70,000 i-Point subscribers in the first year of operations. The i-Point network can be accessed from the Locatio via an internal Web browser. In addition, Seiko Epson is in the process of building out its infrastructure, enabling customers to use location information on internal networks.
The Locatio will enable customers to use a variety of helpful services, including:
The ability to find their location on a map by using Locatio's GPS functionality. In underground malls or inside buildings where it is difficult to connect to the GPS system, the Locatio automatically switches to a Personal Handyphone System (PHS) based location-information service to display exact coordinates. An easy way to download maps of any section of Japan. A method of immediately locating restaurants, hotels, and sightseeing spots through Seiko Epson's new "Point of Interest" (POI) content delivery service.
"We are excited to be a part of such an innovative new product," said Rhonda Jobe, Geoworks Vice President of Marketing. "The unique services that this device enables further emphasize Geoworks' commitment to advancing the general deployment of services for today's phones worldwide. We strongly believe that increased use and demand for information services, such as those utilized by the Locatio, will continue to contribute to the overall growth of the wireless information services market."
Geoworks is a leading provider of wireless software and solutions, wireless e-commerce and Internet-to-wireless interconnection information services for the consumer market. The company offers Internet-based information services, including advertising-sponsored content, to the growing universe of digital wireless phones and pagers. Based in Alameda, California, the company has international offices in Japan and the United Kingdom, and can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.geoworks.com.