QCOM--Tuesday August 15, 6:56 am Eastern Time
Press Release
QUALCOMM Chooses HearMe Technology To Bring Live Voice to Eudora Users
QUALCOMM to Integrate HearMe's Innovative Voice and Text Communications into Next Release of Its Popular Email Software
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 15, 2000-- HearMe (Nasdaq:HEAR - news) a proven leader in providing advanced, real-time voice communication technologies, and QUALCOMM Incorporated (Nasdaq:QCOM - news), a leader in digital wireless communications and advanced electronic messaging solutions for the Internet, today announced an agreement under which QUALCOMM will integrate HearMe(TM) voice and text communications technology into the next release of its popular Eudora® email software.
As a result of the agreement, users of full-featured Eudora email in free, Sponsored mode will have direct free access to live voice through the use of a Eudora-branded version of HearMe VoiceCONTACT(TM) software and through community services co-branded with HearMe. Users will be able to initiate live voice and text communications sessions simply by sending an email invitation. The agreement with HearMe is a first step in QUALCOMM's strategy to provide collaborative environments to Eudora users centered on their email address.
``VoiceCONTACT is a great complement to our email solutions because it naturally and intuitively combines the power of email with live voice communications,'' said Jeffrey K. Belk, senior vice president and general manager of QUALCOMM Eudora Products. ``Our partnership with HearMe means we will be able to provide the latest, most personal forms of online communications -- all in one place, the Eudora email interface.''
``QUALCOMM's adoption of VoiceCONTACT for Eudora represents a logical leap forward in expanding the reach and ease of use of email communications to encompass a live voice component,'' said Frank Chu, senior vice president and general manager, HearMe. ``By making VoiceCONTACT a key part of its Eudora software offering, QUALCOMM is clearly signaling its intentions for providing its customers with compelling integrated communications.''
Direct Voice Access for Email Users: Eudora Integration of
VoiceCONTACT
Through this agreement, QUALCOMM raises the bar for email-based services by offering Eudora email users direct access to a new level of personal, online voice interaction. By integrating VoiceCONTACT into the Eudora software, QUALCOMM offers Eudora users the ability to invite other people to an instant live voice conversation -- with the simplicity of sending an email. Using a VoiceCONTACT button located directly on the Eudora toolbar, users will be instantly connected to co-branded Eudora VoiceCONTACT Web pages, which then gives them instant contact with family, friends and business associates for a real-time voice conversation knowing in advance if the party they are contacting is available for a conversation.
About HearMe
HearMe is revolutionizing voice communications on the Internet by providing real-time voice capabilities to all businesses and consumers, across the communications spectrum -- from phone to Web to wireless. A proven leader in the voice over IP market, the Company develops, operates and licenses advanced technology that leverages the familiarity of the telephone and the power of the Internet to deliver next-generation voice communications. HearMe technologies are enhancing a wide range of vertical market segments including telecommunications, e-commerce/customer support, business-to-business conferencing, elearning, Web events and consumer communities. Companies working with HearMe technology include Macromedia, Evoke, Ask Jeeves, LivePerson, Asiacontent.com, MTV Online Networks, Talk City, StarMedia Network, GTECH Corporation, Creative Technologies and Sony Online Entertainment. Founded in early 1995 as Mpath Interactive, Inc., HearMe is located in Mountain View, Calif., and can be found on the Internet at www.hearme.com or reached at 650/429-3900.
About QUALCOMM and Eudora Email
QUALCOMM's Eudora email software offers three user-selectable modes, including a sponsor-supported mode that provides the full-featured program to consumers free of charge. The software displays static onscreen advertisements that do not interfere with the user's email workspace or appear in the body of email messages. U.S. consumer email volume is expected to increase from 132 billion messages in 1999 to almost 432 billion in 2003, according to Jupiter Communications. To handle this growing email traffic volume, free Eudora email software in Sponsored mode offers industrial-strength features such as extensive filtering, powerful search capabilities, automatic name completion, and the ability to manage multiple accounts within the single program.
QUALCOMM Incorporated (www.qualcomm.com) is a leader in developing and delivering innovative digital wireless communications products and services based on the Company's CDMA digital technology. The Company's business areas include integrated CDMA chipsets and system software; technology licensing; Eudora email software for Windows® and Macintosh® computing platforms; satellite-based systems including portions of the Globalstar(TM) system and wireless fleet management systems, OmniTRACS® and OmniExpress(TM). QUALCOMM owns patents which are essential to all of the CDMA wireless telecommunications standards that have been adopted or proposed for adoption by standards-setting bodies worldwide. QUALCOMM has licensed its essential CDMA patent portfolio to more than 80 telecommunications equipment manufacturers worldwide. Headquartered in San Diego, Calif., QUALCOMM is included in the S&P 500 Index and is a 2000 FORTUNE 500® company traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market® under the ticker symbol QCOM.
Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, changing legislation and government regulation, HearMe's dependence on its ability to significantly increase its user base, user minutes, advertising revenue and revenue from HearMe Technology Products customers; to launch new products, to maintain and develop strategic relationships with media, Internet and technology companies; to recruit engineering and sales staff, to successfully integrate newly acquired companies and to compete effectively. These and other risk factors are described in detail in the Company's Annual Report on form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 1999, the Company's form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2000, and in HearMe's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Note to Editors: HearMe and VoiceCONTACT are trademarks of HearMe. QUALCOMM, Eudora and OmniTRACS are registered trademarks and OmniExpress is a trademark of QUALCOMM Incorporated. All other product or service names mentioned herein are trademarks of their respective owners. |
