U.S. Robotics and Metrowerks Release Development Tools for Pilot Connected Organizer
LOS ALTOS, Calif. — June 11, 1996 — Palm Computing, Inc., a subsidiary of U.S. Robotics (NASDAQ: USRX), and Metrowerks, Inc. (TSE, MSE: MWK) announced today CodeWarrior for Pilot, a Macintosh-hosted toolkit for Pilot applications development. CodeWarrior for Pilot will enable developers proficient in C to develop applications for the Palm Operating System (Palm OS), the next generation handheld computing platform that powers the Pilot connected organizer.
CodeWarrior for Pilot, DR1, will be supported on both 68K and Power Macintosh computers, with support for the Windows operating system planned for fourth quarter 1996. The Palm OS is a handheld computer operating system that enables low-cost, low-power, small form-factor devices to integrate with Windows or Macintosh personal computers. The Palm OS is the core of the Pilot connected organizer, and will be licensed for use in a variety of devices that may include smart phones, graphical pagers, and data collection terminals.
"The introduction of the Pilot connected organizer has energized the handheld computing market, and the potential of this next generation platform has piqued the interest of the development community," said Donna Dubinsky, U.S. Robotics Vice President and General Manager of Palm Computing. "U.S. Robotics recognizes the central role developers will play in the growth of the Palm OS and handheld computing, and we're focused on providing them with the highest quality resources and support to create Pilot applications. This agreement with Metrowerks is key to our strategy."
"The Pilot one-touch organizer is the hottest device in the market today," said Jean Belanger, Chairman of Metrowerks. "We are very pleased to be working with U.S. Robotics to ensure Pilot users will have access to applications developed with CodeWarrior for Pilot."
The Pilot organizer, the first U.S. Robotics offering based on the Palm OS, is a handheld, connected device that offers a new level of value for mainstream PC users: shirt-pocket size; instant response; an elegant graphical user interface; personal information management (PIM) software including date book, address book, to-do list, calculator and note-taking applications; desktop software and docking cradle for one-touch PC connectivity, all at a breakthrough price of $ 299.
"Since the introduction of the Pilot connected organizer, we have had over 1,500 registrants for the development program. With this ground swell of support, we anticipate hundreds of new Pilot applications for Pilot to come to market as the Metrowerks CodeWarrior for Pilot reaches the developer community," said Kate Purmal, Director of Strategic Partners of Palm Computing.
CodeWarrior for Pilot DR1 will be available in mid-June, and will be priced at $ 299. Developers who purchase the DR1 release will receive an extended set of upgrades, including all releases up through CodeWarrior for Pilot 5. This product will follow the traditional Metrowerks three-times-a-year release schedule, and purchases initiated as of release 3 will include the usual two free updates and technical support from Metrowerks. The product will be available from Metrowerks and its resellers.
Founded in 1985, Metrowerks develops, markets and supports a complete line of Macintosh-hosted computer language products for building Mac OS, Windows 95, Windows NT, Magic Cap and Be OS applications. Metrowerks CodeWarrior products have become the industry standard for professional Mac-hosted software development with more than 45,000 registered users in 70 countries. Additional info@metrowerks.com, by calling (512) 873-4700, or via the Internet at http://www.metrowerks.com.
Palm Computing, Inc., a subsidiary of U.S. Robotics, is a leading developer of handheld computing systems. Headquartered in Los Altos, Calif., it designs, develops and markets handheld computing products that include the Palm OS, the Pilot connected organizer, personal information management applications, desktop to handheld computer connectivity software and Graffiti power writing technology. Interested developers can receive more information on the Palm OS by sending electronic mail to devinfo@palm.com, or by accessing the Palm Computing World Wide Web page at http://www.usr.com/palm.
U.S. Robotics is one of the world's leading suppliers of products and systems that provide access to information. The company designs, manufactures, markets and supports remote access servers, enterprise communications systems, desktop/mobile client products, modems and telephony products that connect computers and other equipment over analog, digital and switched cellular networks, enabling users to gain access to, manage and share data, fax and voice information. Its customers include Internet service providers, regional Bell operating companies and a wide range of other large corporations, businesses, institutions and individuals. The company's 1995 sales were $ 889.3 million; sales for the first half of fiscal 1996 were $ 819.3 million.
NOTE TO EDITORS: The following are trademarks of U.S. Robotics and its subsidiaries: U.S. Robotics, Graffiti, Palm Computing, Pilot, and Palm OS. The following are trademarks of Metrowerks, Inc.: Metrowerks and the Metrowerks logo, and CodeWarrior. All other brands and product names are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective holders.
CONTACT:
A&R Partners
Robson Grieve, 415/363-0982, ext. 21
robson_grieve@arpartners.com
or
Metrowerks, Inc.
Cynthia Fray, 512/873-4758
cynthia@metrowerks.com
or
David Perkins, 512/873-4744
perkins@metrowerks.com