GeoWorks to Include Datalight DOS on Consumer Computing Devices
ARLINGTON, Wash. — April 5, 1993 — GeoWorks has contracted to bundle Datalight ROM-DOS 5 as the DOS used with its GEOS system software.
GEOS is a realtime, multithreaded, multitasking, graphical operating environment.
ROM-DOS will reside in the background behind GEOS on a number of products that are part of the emerging consumer computing device (CCD) market, including some hand-held, pen-based products requiring robust efficient software.
"Of the compatible brands of DOS, Datalight's had the features that best fit our needs at this time for providing the DOS file compatibility required for some of these new GEOS-based CCDs," said Brian Dougherty, GeoWorks' chief executive officer and chairman.
GeoWorks made a joint announcement with Casio and Tandy at the Winter Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas that GEOS systems software would be used on a handheld, pen-based device code named "Zoomer" that is slated for release later this year.
"ROM-DOS was designed for embedded systems developers," said Tim Gillman, Datalight's vice president of marketing. "CCDs represent another market where ROM-DOS' small size, low cost and hardware flexibility are beneficial." With its 38K kernel and 25K command processor, ROM-DOS fits into a 64K ROM. It is the smallest compatible DOS on the market.
"ROM-DOS doesn't make assumptions about hardware compatibility. We designed it to accommodate unusual configurations," said Drew Gislason, Datalight's vice president of research and development.
"We are really excited about our association with GeoWorks," said Roy Sherrill, president of Datalight. "GEOS' flexibility and technical merits make it ideal for Consumer Computing Devices."
Note to Editors: GEOS and GeoWorks are registered trademarks of GeoWorks. Datalight is a registered trademark of Datalight Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders.
CONTACT:
Datalight, Inc.
Tim Gillman, 206/435-8086
or
GeoWorks
Mike McGuire, 510/204-8508