Sun Microsystems, Inc. Ships JavaOS 1.0 to JavaOS Licensees for Inclusion in Licensees' Products

Smallest, fastest implementation of Java to be included in products that affect how we work and play

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. - March 5, 1997 - Sun Microsystems, Inc. (NASDAQ:SUNW) today announced that the JavaOS™1.0 operating system, the smallest, fastest way to run the Java™ environment on a microprocessor, is now available to Sun's JavaOS licensees. A broad range of products incorporating the JavaOS operating system -- ranging from network computers to entertainment products -- will soon be shipping from companies that license JavaOS.

JavaOS is a small and efficient operating system that executes the Java environment directly on hardware platforms, without requiring any other host operating system. A dynamically extensible operating system, JavaOS brings the design advantages of the Java platform to an operating system. JavaOS is an extremely small and fast OS that runs the Java environment. The full Java Application Environment, a robust networking stack running multiple applet viewers, takes up just 2.4 MB and has a 398 CaffeineMark 2.5 rating on a Pentium 166 system without a JIT compiler.

"With over 20 JavaOS licensees, expect to see a wide variety of products that incorporate JavaOS coming to market," said Jon Kannegaard, vice president of software products at JavaSoft, a business unit of Sun Microsystems, Inc. "JavaOS will be available in products that affect how we work, how we organize our personal lives and even how we play. Network computers, PDAs and even entertainment products that connect to the Internet, will all run on JavaOS."

As the Java platform proliferates and becomes the common platform for all types of products, a Java-enabled network will emerge, that includes traditional computing devices as well as a broad range of network- attached devices. JavaOS operating system is one of the first steps towards creating this new standard.

"Virtually any device requiring an operating system could potentially utilize the JavaOS" said Kannegard. "JavaOS is leading the charge in setting a new standard for the way technology will be integrated."

The JavaOS operating system is designed to be easily portable to a wide variety of hardware platforms -- from network computers to handheld devices. This portability enables licensees to take advantage of running the same operating system across a range of microprocessors and products. Licensees benefit with reduced time to market and the ability to reuse and leverage Java code.

The JavaOS 1.0 operating system is available for immediate delivery to JavaOS licensees directly from Sun Microsystems. JavaOS 1.0 supports both Sun SPARC™ and Intel x86 technologies. A version for the StrongARM microprocessor will be available later this month. Products which incorporate JavaOS will be showcased at the JavaOne developer conference in April.

JavaOne, Sun's 1997 Worldwide Java Developer Conference, will take place April 2-4, 1997 at San Francisco's Moscone Center. Join over 8,000 developers, 200 industry partners and the creators of the Java platform to see the Java platform reach critical mass. For more information or to register, visit http://java.sun.com/javaone or call 800-488-2883.

Quotes From JavaOS Endorsers

Aplix Corporation
"It is an honor being a licensee on the first delivery of the JavaOS operating system. This delivery will be the first step to a new era of intelligent devices. As the developer of SEGA SATURN INTERNET and SANYO INTERNET-TV, Aplix will be maximizing electronic appliances with JavaOS," said Ryu Koriyama, president and CEO, Aplix Corporation.

Contact: Shinobu Nemoto
Aplix Corporation
+81-3-3204-6320
E-Mail: snb@aplix.co.jp

 

Chorus Systems
"As a leading real-time operating system manufacturer for Communications systems, Chorus Systems is wholeheartedly behind the JavaOS operating system and its integration of the Java run-time environment," said Fred Rehhausser Chorus Systems vice president of marketing. "We have licensed this ground breaking technology to work with our componentized OS to bring Java into the real-time world. The integration of CHORUS/ClassiX functionality with the JavaOS enabled environment has garnered high customer acceptance and numerous design-wins for PDAs, Webphones, Smart Phones and other high end consumer communication devices. Chorus is looking forward to a long and profitable relationship with JavaSoft."

Contact: Fred Rehhausser
Chorus Systems
408-879-4148
E-Mail: fredr@chorus.com

 

Flat Connections
"Flat Connections is excited about the availability of JavaOS 1.0," said Jeff Stern, vice president of marketing for Flat Connections, Inc. "The introduction of a real-time adaptable, low memory model Java based operating system is what we need to create Java oriented internet appliances. As part of our mission to deliver systems that provide intelligence at the point of connection, we plan to begin working with JavaOS 1.0 immediately. We believe that as future releases of JavaOS are made available, we will be able to continue to make use of its networking, data communications, security and electronic commerce features."

Contact: Lori Figaro
Flat Connections
510-249-9777
E-Mail: lori@flatconnect.com

 

IBM Corporation
"The availability of the JavaOS continues the rapid rollout of Java- based technologies that help customers take advantage of the power of network computing," said Patricia Sueltz, vice president, Internet Software, for IBM. "As a JavaOS licensee, we are evaluating the role of this platform in our own network computing plans. We congratulate Sun on this latest milestone."

Contact: Judy Radlinsky
IBM Corporation
914-766-1094
E-Mail: radlin1@us.ibm.com

 

Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI)
"ITRI has been looking forward to the release of JavaOS 1.0. As the key organizer of Java Alliance in Taiwan and the host of Java Lab in Open Lab within ITRI, ITRI has been helping Taiwan industries bring out Java-based products for computing, communications, and consumer electronics. We hope JavaOS will be embedded in millions of low cost, high quality products coming out of Taiwan in the near future," said James Lee, director, Internet technology division, Computer & Communication Laboratories, ITRI.

Contact: James Lee
ITRI
+886-3-591-4553
E-Mail: jlee@ccl.itri.org.tw

 

Advanced RISC Machines
"This first release of the JavaOS operating system is an important milestone in the development of the multimedia marketplace," said Robin Saxby, CEO and president, ARM. "Several Java-based, ARM Powered products are now shipping, and the JavaOS operating system on the StrongARM architecture provides the highest performance available today."

Contact: Julie Seymour, Media Relations
Advanced RISC Machines
+44 1223-400423
E-Mail: Julie.Seymour@arm.com

 

Toshiba Corporation
"We are delighted about Sun's announcement today that JavaOS is shipping to its licensees," said Kazuyuki Okuyama, General Manager, Network- Computing Planning Office of Toshiba Corporation. "We plan to incorporate JavaOS in our products within the year, and the timeliness of Sun's announcement will enable us provide exceptional Java-based products to our customers quickly."

Contact: Tadashi Kobayashi
Toshiba Corporation
+81-3-3457-3300
E-Mail: koba@ws.toshiba.co.jp

 

Wind River Systems
"Wind River Systems is pleased to be the first embedded systems vendor to sign a licensing agreement for the JavaOS operating system," said David Larrimore, vice president of Marketing for Wind River Systems. "Sun's expertise in the Java platform and Wind River's leadership in the embedded market offer developers a powerful combination for bringing Java-enabled embedded products to market faster."

Contact: Stephanie R. Schwarz, Manager, Public Affairs
Wind River Systems
510-814-2573
E-Mail: steph@wrs.com

 

Wyse Technology
"The availability of the JavaOS will enable us to conclude the development of our WintermTM 4000 Series of enhanced network computers (ENCTM)," said Roy Graham, senior vice president of Sales and Marketing for Wyse Technology. "We chose the JavaOS as the operating system for the Winterm ENC for its close integration of the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) software and its ability to provide our customers with the best- of-class performance they have come to expect from us."

Contact: Nadia Jamshidi, McGrath/Power
Wyse Technology
408-727-0351, ext. 15
E-Mail: nadia_jamshidi@mcgrathpowerpr.com

Sun, the Sun logo, Sun Microsystems, the Java Coffee Cup logo, Java, JavaSoft, JavaOne, Java Developer Conference and JavaOS, are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All SPARC trademarks are used under license and are trademarks or registered trademarks of SPARC International, Inc. in the United States and other countries. Products bearing SPARC trademarks are based upon an architecture devveloped by Sun Microsystems, Inc.