Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : General Magic -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: CanynGirl who wrote (3297)	8/4/1998 6:12:00 PM
From: Kurthend	Respond to of 10081

Sierra, RE: Schaumburg: LOL at myself. It has been a long day. Time to open up a bottle of wine. Agree with the hype statement Take care, Kurt, AKA feeling like an idiot:))

To: CanynGirl who wrote (3297)	8/4/1998 8:08:00 PM
From: CanynGirl	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 10081

And, here's the release that GMGC put out when MOT announced the acquisition of Starfish. I find the statement in bold below the most interesting. New Generation of Wireless Devices Will Increase Choices for General Magic's Portico Service BusinessWire, Tuesday, July 21, 1998 at 09:08 SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 21, 1998-- Motorola Acquisition of Starfish and the TrueSync Platform to Broaden Potential Subscriber Base General Magic, Inc. (NASDAQ:GMGC), a leading developer of integrated voice and data applications, today said that Motorola's (NYSE:MOT) recent acquisition of Starfish Software, Inc. broadens the potential subscriber base for its forthcoming Portico(tm) virtual assistant service. The new generation of digital devices built around the Starfish TrueSync(tm) synchronization platform means more users will be able to take advantage of the Portico service. Portico is on schedule to be commercially delivered beginning on July 30 in a progressive rollout. In April 1997, General Magic entered into a joint technology development agreement with Starfish, a leading developer of technologies for wireless and wireline Connected Information Devices. Starfish's fully scaleable multi-tier client/server TrueSync synchronization platform will enable the Portico service to interact simultaneously with information from multiple devices, including REX(tm), PalmPilot(tm), Windows(tm) CE and Symbian-based machines, as well as desktop PCs and future smart phone devices. "The integration of Starfish's TrueSync synchronization platform with Motorola's offerings is great news for Portico users and the digital wireless category in general," said Steve Markman, chairman, president and CEO of General Magic. "In particular, TrueSync's one-step Multi Point is revolutionary synchronization technology that provides great benefits to subscribers of the Portico service. Like Motorola, we recognize the leadership of Starfish's technology and have integrated the TrueSync technology platform into our own architecture. And we look forward to providing the Portico service to users of Motorola's next generation of digital wireless devices." General Magic and Starfish first demonstrated the integration of TrueSync technology with General Magic's proprietary magicTalk(tm) voice user interface (VUI) at Internet Showcase in San Diego on April 28, 1997. The magicTalk VUI enables the Portico service to understand and act on natural voice commands. "We believe that General Magic's Portico service is unique," said Philippe Kahn, president of Starfish Software. "The Portico service fits right in with Starfish's founding vision of global synchronization and integration of wireless and wireline devices and is now synergistic with Motorola's efforts." "The imminent introduction of the Portico service, as well as the combination of Motorola and Starfish, all bode well for mobile business professionals," said David Coursey, of Coursey.com. "With their increasing interconnectivity, the new generation of hardware, software and network services like Portico will widen choices for consumers and spur further innovation throughout the category."

To: CanynGirl who wrote (3297)	8/5/1998 11:08:00 AM
From: Drew Freeman	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 10081

A couple of tidbits that maybe others can expand on ... Starfish, Motorola, and GMGC all have the same vision of disparate devices sharing information with each other and across the Internet. Motorola bought Starfish for its 'TrueSync' technology which allows disparate 'PIM' devices to communicate with each other and to sing from the same hymnal, so to speak. This is what a PalmPilot does when it syncs up with the computer via its cradle. Motorola wants to have their hardware devices be 'syncable' with each other. The algorithms that synchronization technology are based on are actually quite complex, thus Motorola's desire to purchase the technology rather than build it. I know that Starfish has been working with GMGC in the past. I'm not sure exactly what has transpired between the two companies, but my guess is that GMGC wants to be able to sync copies of address book and calendar 'PIM' information between the NOCs, and the users devices. I remember reading that you can share information between Portico and a PalmPilot. It makes sense that TrueSync is what's behind the scenes. I'm not too worried about Motorola as a Portico competitor, as they appear to be pretty late to market. However, what if TrueSync is an integral part of Portico? Then GMGC will likely have to look elsewhere for 'Syncing' technology for their future rev's or try to develop it on their own. Maybe Motorola's smarter devices will actually enhance Portico's future functionality? I'd be interested in hearing others' insights. Best Regards, Drew Freeman Lurker, major fan of this forum, and Long GMGC shareholder