Wireless Datacom Analysts Andrew Seybold and Alan Reiter Announce Conference on Wireless Data Operating Systems
BROOKDALE, Calif. — April 15, 1997 — Andrew M. Seybold and Alan A. Reiter, widely respected wireless technology analysts and publishers of influential wireless data industry newsletters, will present the first conference ever to be devoted exclusively to wireless computing device operating systems on June 24, 1997, at the Marriott Great America Hotel, Santa Clara, Calif., the two announced jointly Tuesday.
The one-day conference, entitled Outlook on Wireless OS '97, springboards off the late-1996 introduction of Microsoft's Windows CE wireless device operating system; the launch of more than a half-dozen new handheld computers; and the soaring acceptance of Sun Microsystems' Java programming language.
Applications emerging and projected for the new generations of mobile computing devices range from calendars and address books to programs for downloading real-time information, retrieving intranet databases and browsing the Web, say the conference organizers, and the billion-dollar question is: "What software will form the basis for this new market?"
"Today, a variety of software platforms — Windows CE, Java, Geos, Memos, Unwired Planet, Marimba, Wink, and others are competing to become the operating system of choice for handheld PCs, PDAs, smart phones, pagers and other types of mobile computing and communications devices," Seybold said. "This conference has been designed to provide up-to-the-minute information about all of these systems, which hardware vendors are supporting which operating systems and which application developers are working to support which platforms."
Seybold and Reiter will lead the program with discussions of the various operating systems and their applicability. They will be joined by a roster of experts drawn from all sectors of the wireless data and computer communities who are affected by the system software debate: operating system and application software vendors; device builders; and network providers.
Companies committed to presentations include Ericsson, Telxon, Microsoft, Microware, Motorola, Starfish Software and Unwired Planet, with additional commitments pending.
"In the excitement generated around Windows CE and Java, it is important to remember that Microsoft and Sun Microsystems are not the only players on the field," Reiter said. "Many applications are already in the works for the Microsoft Windows CE environment. Geoworks, Microware and Psion have licensed Java, and Unwired Planet is developing its wireless strategy. Ericsson has licensed Marimba. Motorola has its own Memos OS, but it is exploring other options as well. Wink is actively seeking alliances."
There is a great deal of ferment and this new conference represents the first opportunity wireless industry stakeholders have had to view the field broadly and to drill down for concrete answers to specific questions, Seybold added.
"We will examine the positioning and potential of all of the logical players and lay out for hardware and software developers, users and vendors what the issues are and what their expectations might be."
Outlook on Wireless OS '97 participants will receive a binder that includes presentation and auxiliary support materials. Audio tapes of the sessions will also be available.
Price to subscribers of Andrew Seybold's Outlook and/or Alan Reiter's Wireless Internet & Mobile Computing is $ 395; all others, $ 495. Persons interested may register or obtain further information by phone, fax or e-mail.
CONTACT:
Outlook on Wireless OS '97,
c/o Andrew Seybold's Outlook,
P.O. Box 917 Brookdale CA 95007.
Tel: 408/338-7701; Fax: 408/338-7806; e-mail: [email protected] .
Additional information is posted on the Web at: www.outlook.com ; and www.wirelessinternet.com .
CONTACT:
Ruth Johnson, 408/338-7701
or
Victor Wortman, 310/393-6281