Symbian releases latest EPOC technology for future Smartphones and Communicators

New features will drive the creation of Wireless Information Devices

LONDON, United Kingdom - June 15, 1999 - Symbian today announced the launch of its latest EPOC technology with the public issue of EPOC Release 5 to developers and licensees. This latest release provides significant feature and architectural advances that will allow licensees to rapidly develop Smartphones and Communicators to meet the increasingly sophisticated demands of mobile users.

Juha Christensen, Executive Vice President Marketing and Sales, Symbian commented, "With EPOC Release 5 Symbian has significantly enhanced an open standard that allows device manufacturers to innovate and vary their offering in order to provide compelling solutions for mobile users."

The latest release of Symbian’s EPOC technology builds on the platform’s already strong, personal information management (PIM), office communications and utility applications to deliver:

• full featured messaging with Internet e-mail, fax and short messaging (SMS), multiple user folders, integration with new contacts database, and seamless synchronization with PC-based e-mail and contacts
• Java™ implementation to JDK 1.1.4 specification, supporting both applications, and applets fully integrated into the Web browser
• comprehensive PC connectivity, data synchronization and file format conversion
• infrared exchange of contacts and appointments with other Wireless Information Devices
• support for full color displays
• architectural improvements to ensure adaptability of users’ machines throughout their lifetime and offering even more opportunities to third-party developers

"Not only has Symbian focused on ease of use, but there is also a 30% increase in performance," said Mr Christensen.

David Wood, Executive Vice President, Technical Consulting, Symbian, said "Symbian’s latest EPOC technology provides improved functionality, stronger support and even better tools - all of which are committed to helping companies create a flood of new applications to help drive the WID industry. These applications will address the needs of mobile users by allowing them to be in-touch, in-control and in-formed, wherever they are. "

David Levin, Chief Executive, Psion Plc, said: "We are delighted to be the first EPOC licensee to take full advantage of Symbian's new EPOC Release 5. Psion Computers' Series 5mx and the netBook range from Psion Enterprise will be powered by EPOC Release 5, offering both consumers and businesses the best combination of power and technology available in their class".

New Software Development Kits (SDKs) for Symbian’s EPOC technology were released to world-wide developers recently at Symbian’s first developers conference. The SDKs for C++, Java, OPL and PC-based connectivity and datasync development offer unparalleled developer flexibility and are now free of charge. EPOC World, Symbian’s developer support organization, has also created a new range of developers support packages, tailored for all developer requirements.

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About Symbian

Symbian owns, licenses, develops and supports EPOC technology - providing leading software, user interfaces, application frameworks and development tools for Wireless Information Devices such as Communicators and Smartphones. Symbian aims to promote standards for the interoperability of Wireless Information Devices with wireless networks, content services, messaging and enterprise wide solutions.

With headquarters in London, Symbian has offices in Tokyo and Kanazawa, Japan; Ronneby, Sweden; Cambridge, UK and San Francisco Bay Area, USA. Symbian is owned by Ericsson, Matsushita, Motorola, Nokia and Psion. Symbian’s website can be found at http://www.symbian.com/

Symbian and the EPOC logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Symbian Ltd. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners