Geoworks Forms Alliance With Access to Expand Smart Phone Solutions for Japan; Alliance Will Provide Broader Support for Handset Manufacturers

Business Wire, Nov 10, 1997

TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 10, 1997--Geoworks, a leading provider of smart phone software solutions, and Access Co. Ltd., an embedded Internet software supplier, today announced they are forming a strategic alliance with the goal of providing a comprehensive solution for the growing mobile phone market.

The two companies will combine Access' NetFront(TM) (a comprehensive embedded software suite that integrates Internet access, electronic mail, and network interface) with Geoworks' advanced operating system technology. This alliance addresses Japan's growing demand for complete software solutions for a wide range of advanced mobile communications devices.

Geoworks chose to work with Access because of its strong reputation in Japan, its existing relationships with Japanese manufacturers, and its strong development team and product experience. Following the announcement of its relationship with NEC, NTT DoCoMo and the enthusiastic introduction of Geoworks' GEOS(R)-based Toshiba Genio PCV100 Pocket Communicator, Geoworks has also developed a solid reputation in Japan for providing a powerful, compact operating system that enables cellular phone manufacturers to rapidly bring to market a wide range of advanced smart phones.

Geoworks and Access will be meeting with interested Japanese hardware manufacturers and network operators at COMDEX in Las Vegas Nov. 17-21.

About Geoworks

Based in Alameda, California, Geoworks is a leading software provider for the cellular industry and manufacturers of mobile communicating devices, including smart phones. The company has licensed its GEOS(R) operating system to leading manufacturers such as Nokia, Ericsson, NEC, Toshiba Corporation, Hewlett-Packard Company, Brother International Corp. and Canon Business Machines. In addition, the Company is working with content and services providers and international cellular operators. For additional information on Geoworks and the GEOS operating system, contact Geoworks on the World Wide Web at http://www.geoworks.com .

About Access

Access, with headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, and an office in Santa Clara, California, is a leading Internet software company with its flagship product, NetFront(TM), that focuses on the consumer information appliance market. NetFront is a comprehensive embedded software suite for Internet access, electronic mail and network interface for a variety of open operating systems and RTOS platforms.

Access has also developed Compact NetFront for small handheld devices, which have smaller resolution, program code and memory consumption needs. Over tens of thousands of units of NetFront have been shipped and it is currently being licensed to Sharp, Mitsubishi Electric, Matsushita, and JVC for Internet-TVs; NEC, Sharp, Fujitsu, and Casio for word processors; EPSON for Intranet terminal; and Seiko Instruments and Fujitsu for PDAs and cellular phones.

Since its inception, Access has been profitable and has established close working relationships with leading worldwide consumer electronics companies. Currently released NetFront version 2.0 offers HTML 3.2 and frame support for only 2MB memory resources. Other key features include smart phone extensions, the support of HTML push broadcasting, security modules, Personal Information Manager functions, and a Java Virtual Machine-compatible module called JV-Lite. -0-

In keeping with U.S. law, Geoworks notes that this press release includes forward-looking statements, including the ability of Access and Geoworks to combine their technologies, the emergence of the Japanese and worldwide markets for smart phones; and the Company's intention to work with content and services providers and cellular operators.

Actual results may vary significantly due to various risks and uncertainties. Those include, but are not limited to, the following: i) the smart phone market may not emerge to the degree or in the timing anticipated; ii) new technologies and new services are inherently subject to development, timing and customer acceptance risks; and iii) the Company must consummate definitive agreements with key partners. Additional information is available in the Risk Factors and Business discussions in the Company's Forms 10-K, 10-Q and other filings available from the Company or from the Securities and Exchange Commission.

NetFront and JV-Lite are Access Co, Ltd. trademarks. Java and all Java-based trademarks and logos are trademarked or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems in the U.S. and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective companies.

CONTACT: Geoworks

Bob Bogard, 510/814-5811

bbogard@geoworks.com

or

Geoworks Japan

Kyosuke Mizuno, 423-69-1058

kmizuno@geoworks.com

or

Access Co. Ltd., US Office

Joe Leung, 408/562-6090

JoeLeung@aol.com

or

Access Co. Ltd. Marketing Department

Masahito Koike, 03-3233-0200

koike@access.co.jp