General Magic Demonstrates Active Web Tools; Offers Free Pre-Release Version
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — January 29, 1996 — General Magic, Inc. (Nasdaq: GMGC) today announced the availability of a free pre-release version of its Telescript(TM) Active Web Tools, a tool kit for developing active, personalized services for the World Wide Web using agent technology. General Magic's pre-release version of the Active Web Tools is expected to be followed by updated releases through the year. Today's announcement was made during a stage presentation at Demo '96, the computer industry conference highlighting today's interesting and important products and technologies.
The Active Web Tools feature a set of software development tools based on General Magic's Telescript technology, an extensible, object-oriented remote programming language for creating active, agent-based network services.
"The Web today is a passive entity — it connects you to lots of information, but the burden is on users to 'surf' to find what they're looking for," said Marc Porat, chairman and chief executive officer of General Magic. "The Telescript Active Web Tools are designed to enable developers to turn the Web into an active entity where users can delegate agents to watch, find, and orchestrate tasks on their behalf — even while the user is off-line."
General Magic's presentation at Demo '96 included an agent technology demonstration of active, personalized services created with Active Web Tools. The demonstration also showed two-way interoperability between Telescript technology and Sun's Java, illustrating the complementary nature of the two technologies.
Agents can carry a personal profile and perform ongoing, autonomous work for the user, even when that user is off-line. Telescript agents are able to find specific information, then notify the user of successful retrieval automatically via fax, e-mail, electronic paging, or other selected communications means.
"Today, we saw a solid demonstration of how Telescript and Java complement one another and the power of them working together," said Eric Schmidt, Chief Technical Officer and Corporate Vice President of Sun Microsystems. "Java leverages Telescript's network-based active agent capabilities, while Telescript leverages Java's client-based programmability."
"By providing this free pre-release version of Active Web Tools, General Magic is delivering on our commitment to provide leading-edge technology for the advancement of Web development and services," added Porat.
Support for Industry Standards
The Telescript Active Web Tools offer support for industry standards. They may be used with most web servers supporting the Common Gateway Interface (CGI). A web browser supporting HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) can access Telescript agents running on a web site — no special client software is required. The Active Web Tools also enable agents to programmatically access and process content on remote web sites using HTTP.
Kit Includes Leading-Edge Technology
Active Web Tools include the following elements to enable developers to create active, personalized services utilizing agent technology:
* Integrated, graphical development environment: The Telescript development environment provides a set of software development tools, including a graphical user interface, source-level debugging, a class browser, program manager, and a compiler.
* Telescript engine: This powerful engine has a TCP/IP-based communications infrastructure, providing the foundation for allowing active agents to move between Telescript-enabled Web sites.
* Web Server Class Libraries: This set of class libraries provides developers easy ways to register and dispatch application requests, to generate and manipulate HTML, and to access thousands of Web servers.
* NCSA Web Server
* On-line Documentation: Helpful information is provided on-line, including a road map, a getting started guide, and class reference guides.
* Sample Applications and Code: These applications provide a hands-on view of how easy it is to create active personalized services. Samples include Hello World, Personal Portfolio for tracking stocks, House Hunting, Connect to Chat and Notify. Sample code shows developers how to easily add e-mail notification, registration log-in, and administration to their applications.
Availability
For the next 30 days, users can order a free pre-release CD-ROM version of Active Web Tools from General Magic's web site (http://www.genmagic.com/awt) or by calling 408-774-4043. After March 1, 1996, a nominal shipping and handling fee is required.
General Magic, Inc. was founded in May 1990 and is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California. Its mission is to participate in the electronic marketplace by developing and licensing software to leading providers of communication products, network services and network applications. The General Magic Founding Partners Council includes AT&T, Cable & Wireless, France Telecom, Fujitsu, Matsushita, Mitsubishi Corporation, Mitsubishi Electric, Motorola, Nortel, NTT, Oki, Philips, Sanyo, Sony, and Toshiba. General Magic's World Wide Web address is http://www.genmagic.com/.
NOTE: This special introductory offer may be terminated at some time during 1996. Magic Cap and Telescript are trademarks of General Magic, Inc. General Magic acknowledges the rights of the trademark owners for all trademarks referred to herein.
CONTACT:
Susan Nicolls, 408-774-6901, or [email protected], or Tom Hershenson, 408-774-4343, or [email protected]