GeoWorks Provides GEOS System Software on Casio/Tandy’s Zoomer Product Announced for Fall Availability
CHICAGO — June 3, 1993 — GeoWorks, the Berkeley, Calif. developer of sophisticated system software, Thursday joined Casio Inc., Tandy Corp., Palm Computing, Intuit and America Online to announce the availability of the Zoomer Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) at the Summer Consumer Electronics Show being held here through June 6.
At the announcement, the companies provided specifics on their joint project: a handheld, pen-based device scheduled to be available in October. GeoWorks is providing the underlying system software, GEOS, which provides rich functionality while delivering "unconscious" battery life of up to 100 hours so consumers won't need to remember to recharge their devices every day to have access to their important information.
Zoomer is the first device enabled by the GEOS technology in the emerging class of low-cost hardware that combines sophisticated consumer electronics, computer, and communications capabilities.
GEOS is a leading edge, object oriented, graphical operating system designed to meet the stringent resource requirements of these new compact, lightweight, yet powerful devices. "A graphical environment running on inexpensive, single chip processors is unheard of to date in this emerging market," said Brian Dougherty, CEO of GeoWorks. "We have been working for the past five years to develop an operating system that will provide high quality graphics without demanding expensive system resources. This is a very exciting day to see the first product to prove our vision a reality shown to the public."
John V. Roach, chairman and chief executive officer of Tandy Corp., said "GeoWorks was able to deliver the system software required to meet the design restrictions of Zoomer. It has 100 plus hours of battery life, the simplicity of pen and paper, the logical power of a computer and the ability to connect to a world of information in a pocket-sized device weighing less than one pound."
"We believe Zoomer will be a tremendous success by combining a compelling form factor along with sophisticated applications. But at its core is GEOS, the only system software available on the market today that can deliver robust functionality with very limited hardware resources. This will enable Zoomer to be a truly open system that will benefit customers through a wide range of after market applications, extending the functionality of Zoomer," said Bruce Mendel, director of marketing at Casio's PCD (Personal Communications Division).
GeoWorks' vision for the past ten years has been to enable mass market computing. Founded with the belief that this market holds tremendous potential, GeoWorks has been developing system software to meet the needs of a wide range of consumer computing devices from PDAs to TVs.
Zoomer is the first device that delivers the right functionality at the right price point to make this market explode. "GeoWorks is thrilled to be a part of such an exciting product and looks forward to continuing to innovate with our partners Casio and Tandy," said Dougherty.
GeoWorks, located in Berkeley, is the developer and publisher of the acclaimed GEOS graphical operating system and of Ensemble application software. The company provides sophisticated and highly efficient system software and markets targeted applications for an emerging class of devices designed to communicate, entertain and manage information for mass market consumers. GeoWorks products are available worldwide through OEM, dealer channels and republishers.
Note to editors: GEOS, GeoWorks and Ensemble are registered trademarks of GeoWorks in the United States and other countries. Tandy is a registered trademark and Zoomer and Zoomer PDA are trademarks of Tandy Corporation and Casio Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders.
CONTACT:
GeoWorks
Deborah Dawson, 510/204-8550