Sun Micro/Myweb press release:
Palo Alto, Calif., May 4, 1999 --- Just weeks after shipping the Personal ApplicationsTM Browser 1.0, Sun Microsystems, Inc. today announced new licensing agreements for the browser. MyWeb, Inc., a Singapore-based corporation, has licensed the browser for inclusion in its Internet set-top box devices and US-based CyberFone has selected the browser for its CyberFoneTM communications system. These are just two of a growing number of companies using Sun's Personal Applications suite in a broad range of consumer devices, including screen phones, set-top boxes, car navigation systems, and other handheld appliances.
CyberFone's communications system combines telephony, video, Internet access and data transactions in one device. First introduced at TechTrends 2000 on April 5th, 1999, the CyberFone is currently scheduled for a fall installation in the Norristown School District as part of U.S. Congressman Curt Weldon's "HUBS" (Hospitals, Universities, Businesses, and Schools) program. Based on Sun's PersonalJavaTM software and Personal Applications suite, the CyberFone will interact with existing communication networks using middleware rather than relying on expensive hardware retrofits. The implications for business, government, and consumer markets are tremendous, as no costly equipment upgrades will be required with the introduction of this revolutionary software.
"The tiny footprint size of Sun's Personal Applications -- less than 800k for the core suite of applications -- enables us to reduce hardware costs by minimizing the RAM and ROM requirements of the CyberFone device," said Dr. Rocco L. Martino, Ph.D., the company's visionary founder and principal inventor of the CyberFoneV system. "Even in this compact space, the applications provide us with all the functionality our users demand. For example, the Personal Applications browser supports full HTML 3.2, Tables, Frames, persistent cookies, graphics and audio formats, and Java applets to ensure that users are able to view a wide range of Web sites."
"With expertise in the wireless communications market, the Personal Applications project team designed the suite from the ground up for consumer devices, making features like robust memory management top priority to ensure reliability and stability -- critical requirements for consumer devices," said Curtis Sasaki, Director, Consumer and Embedded, Sun Microsystems, Inc. "As a result, the Personal Applications offer small, sleek applications in an extremely stable environment with optimum performance."
MyWeb, Inc. is using the Personal Applications Browser and Sun's JavaOSTM for Consumers software to develop a set-top box targeted to the Asia-Pacific market.
"The Personal Applications Browser's underlying technology allows us to localize quickly and deliver a focused product for China. By modifying the various components, we can make the TV Internet experience thoroughly enjoyable," said Jason Chan, CTO, MyWeb, Inc. (OTC BB:ASMC)
A number of other companies are also developing prototypes and demos using the Personal Applications suite, which in addition to the browser includes an email and organizer application. VAES International/ ExperTronics, located in the Netherlands, recently demonstrated the Personal Applications suite on its set-top box. Kent Ridge Digital Lab (KRDL) and CET Technologies Pte Ltd. are jointly developing a mobile device for use in educational environments using the Personal Applications browser.
"We selected the Personal Applications Browser for our eduPAD device and its eBook reader," said Kwok Leong Hui, Java Resource Centre, KRDL. "The Personal applications browser's small footprint and powerful features have significantly reduced our development cycle and time to market."
The Personal Applications suite is sold through Sun's direct sales force. For more information, see sun.com.
About Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Since its inception in 1982, a singular vision, "The Network Is The ComputerTM" has propelled Sun Microsystems, Inc. (NASDAQ: SUNW), to its position as a leading provider of high quality hardware, software and services for establishing enterprise-wide intranets and expanding the power of the Internet. With more than $10.5 billion in annual revenues, Sun can be found in more than 150 countries and on the World Wide Web at sun.com.
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