Sprint Launches InfoSpace J2ME Applications on PCS Vision Next Generation Wireless Service
August 19, 2002 08:30:00 AM ET
BELLEVUE, Wash. & OVERLAND PARK, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 19, 2002--InfoSpace, Inc. INSP, a provider of wireless and Internet software and application services, today announced that it worked with Sprint to launch a set of J2ME(TM)-based applications through PCS Vision(SM), a next generation wireless service recently launched nationwide by Sprint (NYSE:FON, PCS), which operates the largest all-digital, all-PCS nationwide wireless network.
The launch initially includes popular InfoSpace wireless applications such as finance and horoscopes. In addition, InfoSpace applications in categories including weather, travel, sports, news and more will be offered soon on Vision-capable PCS Phones.
"We chose to work with InfoSpace because of their ability to provide us with applications that deliver usability within the color, graphical wireless space that we've created," said Scott Relf, senior vice president for the PCS division of Sprint. "In addition, InfoSpace has shown its ability to continue supporting our efforts -- as the PCS Vision offering evolves -- by developing new and innovative services and applications for Sprint wireless customers."
Next generation client technologies, such as Java 2 Platform, Micro Edition (J2ME(TM)), mark an important step toward wider adoption of wireless data services. InfoSpace's J2ME(TM) applications offer end users significant improvements in speed and usability over the content currently offered by WAP and SMS-based services. InfoSpace's J2ME(TM) applications feature:
-- Menu-driven input. Enables faster and more intuitive input capability through support for advanced features such as scrolling menus and drop-down lists.
-- Improved graphical interface. Brings the user experience alive with support for full-color graphics such as icon-based weather forecasts, stock charts, maps, turn-by-turn directions, and more.
-- Efficient network utilization. Significantly reduces wait times by allowing applications to connect to the network in the background while in use and utilizing the network only when information is required from the server.
-- Local caching. Provides fast and easy access to personalized information, even when out of network range, through local caching of frequently accessed information and user preferences.
The launch of InfoSpace's J2ME(TM) applications also represents a significant milestone in InfoSpace's strategy to offer multi-modal wireless data solutions that enable carriers to deploy services over almost any combination of current and next generation devices on their network. InfoSpace's wireless data services can be provisioned and deployed simultaneously across a wide range of standards such as J2ME(TM), SS7 signaling, WAP, VoiceXML, SMS, BREW and more.
This enables carriers to rapidly deploy value-added data services to their base of users, driving revenue and educating subscribers on the benefits of wireless data. As subscribers come to rely on wireless data, InfoSpace offers the services carriers need to upgrade their users to more advanced services and devices, maximizing their investments in next generation infrastructure.
"Today's announcement with Sprint demonstrates our leadership in the development and deployment of next generation wireless applications and services," said Jan Claesson, executive vice president of wireless at InfoSpace. "Next generation technologies such as J2ME are essential to realizing the full potential of wireless data, and our goal is to stay on the cutting edge in developing the applications and services that enable carriers like Sprint to maximize their return on investments in these technologies."
Initially, PCS Vision will include services that allow consumer and business customers to use their Vision-enabled PCS Devices to take and receive pictures, check personal and corporate e-mail, play games with full-color graphics and polyphonic sounds and browse the Internet wirelessly with speeds comparable to a home computer's dial-up connection. The shift to providing clarity you can see and hear has revolutionized virtually every aspect of wireless service from Sprint. Results include significant advances to network, products, content management, training and back-office systems.
About InfoSpace, Inc.
InfoSpace, Inc. INSP provides wireless and Internet software and application services. The Company develops software technologies that enable customers to efficiently offer a broad array of network-based services under their own brand to any device. InfoSpace corporate information can be found at www.infospaceinc.com.
About Sprint
Sprint is a global communications company serving more than 26 million business and residential customers in over 70 countries. With approximately 80,000 employees worldwide and more than $26 billion in annual revenues, Sprint is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying state of the art network technologies, including the United States' first nationwide all-digital, fiber-optic network. Sprint's award-winning Tier 1 Internet backbone is being extended to key global markets to provide customers with a broad portfolio of scalable IP products. Sprint's high-capacity, high-speed network gives customers fast, dependable, non-stop access to the vast majority of the world's Internet content. Sprint also operates the largest 100-percent digital, nationwide PCS wireless network in the United States, including more than 4,000 cities and communities.
Java, J2ME and all Java-based marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc., in the United States and other countries.
This release contains forward-looking statements regarding the InfoSpace's agreement with Sprint. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. The stockholder rights plan may not prove to be an effective guard against coercive tactics to gain control of the Company. A more detailed description of certain factors that could affect actual results include, but are not limited to, those discussed in InfoSpace's Annual Report on Form 10-K, in the section entitled "Factors Affecting Our Operating Results, Business Prospects and Market Price of Stock." Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. InfoSpace undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, events or circumstances after the date of this release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
Contact Information:
InfoSpace, Inc.
Adam Whinston, 425/201-8946
adam.whinston@infospace.com
or
Sprint
Bit Vo, 913/762-7033
bvo01@mail.sprintpcs.com
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