Extended Systems Releases New Infrared Software Development Kit for Handheld Devices

Business Wire, Feb 12, 2001

Business/High-Tech Editors

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 12, 2001

IrDA-compliant protocol stack includes

multi-transport Object Exchange (OBEX) for

support of Infrared and Bluetooth wireless connectivity

Extended Systems (Nasdaq:XTND), a leading provider of mobile data management and wireless connectivity solutions, today announced at the Wireless Symposium in San Jose, Calif., that it has released XTNDAccess IrDA SDK 3.0 -- a new infrared software development kit for handheld devices.

Formerly known as JetBeam 2.1, the stack has been updated to include a multi-transport Object Exchange (OBEX) module that is compatible with both IrDA specification 1.1 and Bluetooth specification 1.1 (draft release).

XTNDAccess IrDA SDK 3.0 is designed for manufacturers to implement infrared communications in embedded devices such as cellular phones, PDAs, digital cameras, portable office equipment, industrial automation products and more. Because the software kit features a multi-transport OBEX module, manufacturers can develop products that support more than one wireless transport within the same device (including IrDA and Bluetooth). This could be important if the same device is needed in one setting to do high-speed ad-hoc point-to-point communications, where IrDA is best suited, and in the next setting it is asked to do multi-point communications of a longer range where Bluetooth might be required. For example, a Palm user may want to use infrared to quickly print or transmit a large picture file before a meeting. Then, while attending the meeting, the user may need to rely on Bluetooth to exchange information with several people who are using various communications tools including Palms, Pocket PCs and notebooks.

"By integrating OBEX support for Bluetooth and infrared, Extended Systems' software kit is providing manufacturers with a dual-purpose solution," said Don Baumgartner, UMC business unit manager of Extended Systems. "In addition to solving time-to-market issues and saving development costs, this gives our customers additional design flexibility to implement one technology today with an upgrade path to the other, while preserving the investment in OBEX based applications."

Short-range Wireless Connectivity

In 1994, Extended Systems helped found the Infrared Data Association (IrDA) and authored the original specification for Object Exchange (OBEX), a file transfer model adopted by both IrDA and later the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG). Extended Systems co-authored the specifications for IrMC, a standard implemented by both Bluetooth and IrDA organizations for file synchronization between mobile devices. Extended Systems' expertise in developing portable, embedded protocol software stacks originated with IrDA infrared where it has implemented the technology in hundreds of devices including the Palm III, V, and VII products, HP printers and scanners, Motorola leap phones and pagers and Kodak digital cameras.

About IrDA

Founded in 1994, the Infrared Data Association focuses on providing infrared protocol and device specifications to ensure quality and interoperability. IrDA technology has been adopted in hundreds of millions of products worldwide including PCs, PDAs, cell phones and peripherals, such as printers and cameras. www.irda.org.

About Extended Systems

Extended Systems is a leading provider of mobile information management solutions that enable users to access, collect, synchronize, and print information on demand. The company's products include data synchronization and management software, short-range wireless connectivity products (Bluetooth and IrDA-compliant), and client/server database management systems with remote access capabilities. Extended Systems' customers and key relationships include 3Com, Palm, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Compaq, Motorola, Ericsson, Hewlett-Packard, Agilent, Sharp, NEC, and Toshiba.

Founded in 1984, Extended Systems has offices and subsidiaries in the United States and worldwide. For more information, visit the company Web site at www.extendedsystems.com.

Extended Systems, Inc.:

Except for historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including the market acceptance and success of Extended Systems' XTNDAccess IrDA SDK and the adoption of IrDA technology in the personal communications market, are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These include the impact of competitive products and pricing, alternative technological advances, the timely and successful development and market acceptance of new products, upgrades to existing products and other risks as detailed from time-to-time in Extended Systems' SEC filings, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

Extended Systems is a registered trademark and XTNDAccess is a trademark of Extended Systems, Inc. All other product, service and company names are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of their respective owners.