Be, Inc. Unveils BeOS Release 4 at COMDEX Fall 98; Alternative Operating System Allows Users to Manipulate High-Bandwidth Digital Media

Business Wire, Nov 12, 1998

Internet Capabilities

The core networking functions of the BeOS are built using TCP/IP, the standard at the heart of the Internet and the World Wide Web. The BeOS was built from the ground up to be a robust Internet citizen and includes: bundled services such as an FTP server allowing users to share files from within the BeOS across the Internet; a Telnet server for remote login; an easy to configure web server allowing users to publish web pages from the moment of install; a POP-email client; a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) client; and a web browser that includes SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) for secure Internet transactions.

Japanese Input Method

BeOS Release 4J is a separate Japanese version of the operating system available concurrently with Release 4. A Japanese input method, provided by ERGOSOFT Corp., allows a user to input Japanese characters into the BeOS, utilizing the bundled Japanese fonts. Users may do many common tasks in Japanese, such as email, browsing the web, word processing and printing.

System Requirements, Pricing and Availability

BeOS Release 4 runs on PCs (Intel Architecture or PowerPC) with a minimum of 16 MB of RAM; 150 MB hard disk or hard disk partition; CD-ROM drive; keyboard and mouse; built-in or bundled compatible video adapter; multisync monitor strongly recommended; and network connection via Ethernet or PPP.

BeOS Release 4 will ship to customers next month. The retail price for the

product is $99.95. A special introductory price of $69.95 applies if purchased over the Internet via Be's online e-commerce store at www.BeDepot.com.

All requirements, pricing, and availability information is the same for BeOS Release 4J.

About Be(R)

Be, Incorporated., founded in 1990 by Jean-Louis Gassee, is a software company focusing on building new foundations for the next generation of digital content and media design tools. With a team of industry-leading engineers and business executives in the United States and Europe, the company is dedicated to removing the limitations of existing computer architectures and delivering a new level of price performance.

In 1997, Be published the first public release of the Be Operating System (BeOS(R)), the core product of this strategy. Additional information on Be and the BeOS is available online at http://www.be.com/. Be, Inc. is headquartered in Menlo Park, Calif.

Note to Editors: Be and BeOS are registered trademarks of Be, Incorporated. Other brand product names are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective holders. All rights reserved.

To obtain review copies, please contact Sylvie Pelaprat at sylvie@be.com